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Mira

(22,378 posts)
Mon Aug 22, 2016, 05:18 PM Aug 2016

Running like hell after realizing I was trespassing — and then finding the treasure

The treasure is a place called Sheldon Church Ruins, far off the beaten path in a little town called Yamassee SC. I saw it on the map, then googled it, and decided it was worth trying to find.
I had booked a motel off the internets, and when I got there is was empty, scary, and so was the pool. Since I don’t give up all that easily I decided to go with my gut and get out of there rather than brave it, and used the useless pool as an excuse. The refund was done, and I went on to another place.
There, they had no idea about how I could find the ruins. I gently offered the suggestion that since it was a tiny town with the ruins the only attraction they may want to feature it. I did not get much of a response.

http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/beaufort-county/old-sheldon-church.html

The next morning after 7 I set out to find them. I drove through the waking up forest, deep, dark and dense. Spanish Moss all around. A forlorn road. Gorgeous.
Siri said I had arrived.
There was a huge closed gate, but, heck, walking around the outposts of columns was not that big a deal, and here are a few photos of my calm and happy walk towards what I thought was my goal.













These photos hopefully showed my happy morning, the road photo shows about 1/4th of the length of the road. I did not take a photo of the mansion at the end of it, and can only tell of my sudden terror when I saw it instead of the expected ruins. I suddenly entertained the thought of loose dogs or guns when I realized I had no business whatsoever wandering on this huge property.

So I ran to my car, to safety. Backwards, and turning, scanning everything. The sun had risen further, the woods were a bit less ominous, and I determined to find the ruins even if this forest eats me alive.
I set out again and finally, suddenly, there it was!

I gave you the link - and now I give you some photos. Wander through them without further comment from me, and be with them as alone as I was in that forest.




















26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Running like hell after realizing I was trespassing — and then finding the treasure (Original Post) Mira Aug 2016 OP
These are all lovely, but the first one is breathtaking. GentryDixon Aug 2016 #1
kick Angry Dragon Aug 2016 #2
Wow, my dear Mira... CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2016 #3
Mon dieu, mon ami! elleng Aug 2016 #4
k and r for these stunnin pics, with deepest thanks!! niyad Aug 2016 #5
Mira, thank you so much for sharing this! pnwmom Aug 2016 #6
Don't want to nitpick SCantiGOP Aug 2016 #7
Thanks. Mira Aug 2016 #8
Great photos GeoWilliam750 Aug 2016 #9
I wish that I had your nerve Curmudgeoness Aug 2016 #10
Thanks for your very dear words. Mira Aug 2016 #12
You found it,,,yayyyyyy! dixiegrrrrl Aug 2016 #11
I sent you a link that I was hunting the place. Mira Aug 2016 #13
Yes, you sure did! dixiegrrrrl Aug 2016 #16
It did. Mira Aug 2016 #17
K&R Solly Mack Aug 2016 #14
Fabulous! mnhtnbb Aug 2016 #15
Fab post and pics, Mira! trusty elf Aug 2016 #18
What a find. For you - and for me. Mira Aug 2016 #19
I had mixed feelings about posting the reconstruction pic. trusty elf Aug 2016 #20
I like it a lot. Mira Aug 2016 #21
I do like what they did with the columns. alfredo Aug 2016 #25
I have driven past there and never knew. liberal N proud Aug 2016 #22
What a beautiful tour! CrispyQ Aug 2016 #23
Lovely photos and text. alfredo Aug 2016 #24
these are stunning! mike_c Sep 2016 #26

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,298 posts)
3. Wow, my dear Mira...
Mon Aug 22, 2016, 06:02 PM
Aug 2016

I'm so glad you found this treasure. It is wonderful. Burned twice, and still standing!

I wonder if there were stained glass windows.

And all the mossy trees...

Wow!

Thank you.

SCantiGOP

(13,856 posts)
7. Don't want to nitpick
Mon Aug 22, 2016, 07:38 PM
Aug 2016

But the town is Yemasee, named after an Indian tribe.
I lived on Hilton Head Island for several years and took several people to see this. Great photos. If anyone is heading down I-95 this site is only a few minutes off the interstate about 30 miles north of the Georgia border.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
10. I wish that I had your nerve
Mon Aug 22, 2016, 08:36 PM
Aug 2016

to go on an adventure like this alone. And I wish that I lived closer to you so that we could do some trips together. I know of no one who has that sense of adventure, and I don't have it in me to wander too much alone.

I love that place, I think the woods were wonderful. And your photos made my day.

Mira

(22,378 posts)
12. Thanks for your very dear words.
Mon Aug 22, 2016, 09:00 PM
Aug 2016

I’ve begged forgiveness way more often than I have asked permission, and the older I get the more I say yes to things that used to scare me away.
I find openness and a friendly approach brings assistance if needed, and eye contact conveys a shared humanity and shows a lack of fear. It helps me move along in many situations.
I’ve kind of made a commitment to more road trips in the future. Audio books, music, maps and siri and my computer. Along with the famous “what’s in your wallet” card that literally pays for the motel rooms with my credit points with a phone call and no hassles at all. I use it to pay for everything, and those points accumulate.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
11. You found it,,,yayyyyyy!
Mon Aug 22, 2016, 08:56 PM
Aug 2016

All those oaks add such a wonderful feeling to the place.
It looks ancient and sacred and ghostly and just leaks history.

Thank you for getting a good shot of the plaque.

I love the way they said the "Federal" army......but that is how the South feels.

Mira

(22,378 posts)
13. I sent you a link that I was hunting the place.
Mon Aug 22, 2016, 09:01 PM
Aug 2016

And forgot to tell you I found it. Made up for it, did I not?

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
16. Yes, you sure did!
Mon Aug 22, 2016, 11:02 PM
Aug 2016

Mr. Dixie and I really enjoyed the pictures.

Did the setting have any particulalry strong feeling?

Mira

(22,378 posts)
17. It did.
Mon Aug 22, 2016, 11:31 PM
Aug 2016

I felt steeped in history and surrounded by ghostly vibes. I felt at peace - which is why I chose a gravestone as the last photo.

Mira

(22,378 posts)
19. What a find. For you - and for me.
Tue Aug 23, 2016, 08:16 AM
Aug 2016

I'm riveted studying this and reading about it. I go back to my photos and ponder this reconstruction, and as I do I think it may be close to "right" except I had envisioned it all more fanciful and colorful.
Maybe they stole the idea of the roof from the Amish, i'ts just too plain. I'm laughing.
Seriously, what a great discovery, trusty elf. Thank you for that, in my mind I'm still traipsing through the ruins.

trusty elf

(7,349 posts)
20. I had mixed feelings about posting the reconstruction pic.
Tue Aug 23, 2016, 08:25 AM
Aug 2016

I didn't want to take anything of the poetry and mystery from your lovely pics and adventure!

Mira

(22,378 posts)
21. I like it a lot.
Tue Aug 23, 2016, 08:33 AM
Aug 2016

My ruminations about the ruins expanded. I'm applying sacred geometry and lots of stained glass and my fantasy wins. Deep down, as always, I know better.

liberal N proud

(60,302 posts)
22. I have driven past there and never knew.
Tue Aug 23, 2016, 10:23 AM
Aug 2016

Thanks for posting this. Next time I am in South Carolina, we will have to make this a stop.

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