Day 6
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
The rain had all but ended during the night. On a whim, I decided to take my camera out, just in case there was some semblance of a sunrise. I didn't get lucky this time. But, I'm glad I went out anyway.
It was also a good excuse to stop in the Sandcastle Cafe for a nice breakfast. The food and staff were great. I did feel a little self conscious though. Between the staff and all the customers, I was the only one NOT wearing a Christmas themed shirt.
Heading back out of town, I did stop for another shot of the Sidney Lanier Bridge.
With no reason to rush things, I took the slow route up Hwy 17 towards Savannah. It was about time for lunch when I pulled into the town of Darien. There's a nice, but casual seafood place right on the water called Skipper's Fish Camp. I don't think I've passed through without eating here...ever.
Out back, there are fishing boats where you used to be able to buy fresh shrimp, right off the boat. But, that's not all they fish for here. Years ago, some of the boats started fishing for Jelly Balls, a round jellyfish that used to be considered a pest in these parts.
Terri Lee emigrated her thirty years ago and saw an opportunity. He owns and runs the plant where the jellyfish are processed and shipped out to Asia, where they're considered a delicacy. Mike Rowe recently came to Darien and spent time with both the fishermen and workers in the plant for his show Dirty Jobs. You can see the segment here:
This is the Adam Strain Building. It was built here in 1821. During the Civil War, Federal troops looted the town and burned most of the buildings to the ground. This is one of the few that survived. Twelve years ago, the Georgia Trust put it on their list of Places in Peril. It's finally getting some much needed attention.
Further north on Hwy 17 is the town of Midway. I stopped by an old cemetery when I drove through the last time, but the iron gates were locked. This time, they were open. So, I turned around to go back. The obelisk in the center had me curious.
This is the gravesite of Brigadier General James Screven. Little is known of him outside his brief military career. In the early days of the Revolutionary War, he signed on with the 3rd Georgia Battalion of Continentals, rising to the rank of Major. In 1778 he resigned his commission with the Georgia Continentials and signed on with the Georgia Militia as a Brigadier General.
In November of that year, Gen. Screven was tasked with stopping a small British force that was moving up the coast. While scouting an area just south of Midway, and was shot by the advancing British. Different accounts contradict each other as to what happened next. Claims were made that he was shot again while on the ground wounded. These claims stirred up resentment across Georgia.
There are a handful of other Revolutionary War soldiers here as well.
There are also a group of graves for soldiers who fought for the Confederacy.
From Midway, it's an easy hour drive back out to the coast and Tybee Island. I was staying at a different place this time, the Sea and Breeze Hotel. While it was certaily fine, it's not on my list of places to rush back to.
With a sky like that, it seemed pointless to even think about a sunset. Instead, I found myself at a place called Nickie's, chatting it up with the locals.
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