Back to Beaufort
Oyster roasts, magnolias, and Pat Conroy
In Beaufort, South Carolina –– where I used to live– the Historic Society throws a party in January as a fundraiser for the organization. An oyster roast is held “down by the riverside” in front of one of the town’s most beautiful and historic properties — Marshlands.
The weather was very agreeable this year, with temperatures in the 50s. (I’ve been to some when the temps were barely above freezing.) Unless there’s torrential rain, folks gather each year, ready to put down bushels of steamy hot oysters served by the bucketfuls.
Oyster roasts, southern style, accompany pork barbecue, baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread. For most of us, the main attraction is the plump oysters plucked out of the marsh-water beds surrounding the town.
Nothing like their oyster cousins in the south of France that are single-shelled and huge, the Low Country variety is small but, oh…so tasty. Short knives with wooden handles are put into action, slipping into the crevices of the shell clusters. You know it’s worth the trouble when you take your first bite, with lemon slices, saltine crackers, and hot sauce on the side.
The tradition of serving steaming oysters on long tables by the waterway goes back to the earliest times of southern living.
Indeed, in Beaufort, old customs are very fitting. Here, Spanish moss and ancient oaks have graced the landscape for centuries.
Stately mansions have survived revolutionary and civil wars.
The flags of five nations have flown over this town– Spain, France, England, the Confederacy, and America.
Famous Faces
Novelist Pat Conroy calls this “home” and many of his books and movies have been rooted right here, including “The Prince of Tides”, and “The Great Santini.”
“Forrest Gump” and the “Big Chill” were filmed in Beaufort, among other productions.
Front Porches, Southern Style
In Beaufort, front porches, magnolia trees, and quaint gardens are common along historic district streets.
Southern to the Core
Breakfast patrons at Blackstones stand to pledge allegiance to the flag on mornings at eight (see #3).
Not far away are beaches, scrub grass, and places to play.
Yes, if there are beautiful destinations you want to see, head to one of the best on earth — Beaufort, S.C.
