Grandma Orchard in Town

Scott's mom came to visit on Tuesday and we've been having all kinds of fun since. Yesterday we visited a nearby attraction called Magnolia Plantation. Who would have thought we would end up spending the ENTIRE day there? There was so much to see and do. Magnolia Plantation was the original home of the Drayton family established in 1676. It was run by slaves who grew a very large crop of Carolina Gold Rice. There are over 30 acres of gardens around the house which makes it the oldest major public garden in America. We visited the plantation a little early but in a few weeks the camillias will start to bloom and this place becomes alive with color. We'll have to go back again. With about 500 acres of gardens and grounds to explore, we were also entertained in the petting zoo and the Audobon Swamp Garden. We saw a lot of alligators and turtles, as well as different kinds of large birds (even a couple of bald eagles). We really had a great time!