Anniversary Weekend in Hilton Head

(Above: Steve, my parents and I at Manigamo's on Hilton Head Island....during The Ohio State vs. University of Southern California football game, Sept. 12th...our anniversary. Click on image to enlarge.)

Twenty-eight years ago Steve and I got married after an Ohio State football game. The wedding colors were, of course, OSU colors: Scarlet and Grey. Our team won that afternoon but not last night against the University of Southern California. We still had a great time watching to television coverage at Manigamo's, a pizza parlor that completely decorated year-round as an Ohio State establishment. The local alumni club held a raffle with 50% of the proceeds going to the scholarship fund....and 50% to the "lucky winner" which was MY MOM! (She donated more than half the cash back to the scholarship fund too!)

(Above: My parents and the nice, local OSU alumni that conducted the scholarship raffle. Click on image to enlarge. My Mom was the WINNER!)

We actually went out for a fancy celebratory dinner at The Old Fort Pub....watching the sunset and dining by candlelight. The place was constructed near the ruins of the civil war era shore battery called Fort Mitchel. Before dinner we walked on the modern sidewalk to explore the vine covered moat, the cannon platforms, and area that had been home to union forces that never actually saw any military action. We, however, saw a snake.

The food was wonderful. The company was excellent. (Below: My parents standing on top of one of the ruins, surrounded by the lush greenery of Hilton Head. Click on image to enlarge.)
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Everywhere I go, there seems to be an interesting cemetery or two. Hilton Head is no exception. Steve and I went bicycle riding and found this historic burial grounds. There were several, long, beautifully eloquent, early 19th century epitaphs and moss covered tombstones....

...including these two for a mother who died in childbirth and the baby that followed her in death a month later. The epitaphs will be showing up as free motion stitching on sheer chiffon hangings soon.

(Above: Tombstones from 1818 on Hilton Head Island. One for the mother who died in childbirth and one for her baby that joined her a month later. Click on image to enlarge.)

It's been a wonderful weekend. The sun shone on the vast beaches and I collected some shells. I've spent time stitching on another Grave Rubbing Quilt too. Below is a photo of Steve riding ahead of me on one of the great bike trails on the island.