That afternoon, I drove to North Charleston to view the H.L. Hunley (https://www.hunley.org/), the world's first successful combat submarine. This Confederate craft sake the Union ship USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor on the night of 17 February 1864; however, the Hunley disappeared soon afterward. It was discovered on the bottom of the harbor in 1995 and raised five years later. The vessel is currently being conserved for display at a museum in the future.
I toured the museum with its exhibits on the Hunley and its role in the American Civil War. The guide took me and two others to see the sub in its conservation water tank, and told the story of its historic combat patrol. It was all most interesting.
After the tour, I sat in a full size replica of the Hunley's hull, which had a hand crank that most of the submarine's seven-man crew turned to propel the boat. It was cramped, and tiring to use the crank, but at least I had a better appreciation for what these sailors went through.
The next day, Mom and I drove up to Southport, North Carolina--approximately a three-hour journey--to visit our cousin Cheryl Fulton and her husband Bob. I had not seen Bob and Cheryl in person for years, so it was great to see them and to catch up on things. While Mom and I were there, we also welcomed my cousin Melanie Dykes and her two daughters, Katy and Molly. They came over from Raleigh, North Carolina, where Katy's team from Birmingham, Alabama was playing in a college soccer coaches' showcase tournament. I last saw Melanie about 20 years ago, and had not seen her daughters at all in person. It was great for all of us to get together and talk.
Driving back to Charleston that night, Mom and I stopped at a restaurant in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Leaving the restaurant and going to the car, Mom tripped and fell in the parking lot. She got a black eye, her glasses were broken, and she had scrapes on her one hand and knee, but otherwise was fine. A bystander nearby (who we guessed was a nurse or physical therapist) and I helped get Mom back up her feel and gave Mom some antiseptic wipes to use on her wounds. Mom was fine as we returned to the guest house. After arriving in Charleston, Mom went to an urgent care facility. One of her hand scrapes needed a few stitches and she was given some medicine. She's doing fine now, and Mom had a backup set of glasses to wear.
We basically chilled out on Monday (25 November). Mostly sat around the house, though I did go late that morning to Highfalutin Coffee Roasters (https://highfalutin.coffee/) about two blocks from the house. I enjoyed a beverage and bread while reading an ebook. Very nice neighborhood coffee house.
More to come next post. Later.
1 comment:
Great blog posting Bob! We are so glad we all had a chance to get together this holiday-it was great to have descendants of all three Delaney siblings together!
Cousin Cheryl
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