Maech 7, Ashburn, GA

A quick word on forts: We had visited Ft. McHenry of War of 1812 fame where the Star Spangled Banner was written, We had visited Ft. Knox built after the war of 1812, across from Buckport, ME in 1844 to protect against further enemy invasions and now we visited forts McAllister, Pulaksi, and Old Ft. Jackson in Savannah. The one that held the best was McAllister which was dirt.

Rifled cannon was the difference. Traditional looking forts could not hold up to rifled cannon. Their walls crumbled. Dirt forts did too but could be repaired in a few hours, brick and mortar forts took years to repair. They had become obsolete due to new technology.

Today we traveled almost two hundred miles westward across GA. It is beautiful this time of year and in the truck we were not bugged by bugs. We drove through Vidalia, famous for sweet onions. If you have not had them they are a real treat. Lots of little towns on this route and a very pleasant drive. Arrived at the Ashburn Country Club and RV Park.

Entrance to Ft. Pulaski across moat.

Inside, the walls were 35 feet tall.

The moat still looks formidable, these walls crumbled from rifled cannon and they surrendered.

Old Ft. Jackson, when Pulaski fell it would have had no chance. The ship behind, shows just how much things have changed.

Meanwhile back at Ashburn, after unhitching we still had a few hours before our first cookout so Shirley and I drove to town to see the Crime and Punishment Museum.

Long story here, we had to go over to the Chamber of Commerce and they had to get a volunteer to take us through the museum. It was fun to talk to the locals who were very interested in us.

The museum was the home of the sheriff and his family and the jail too. Built in 1906 it housed 11 sheriffs, families, and inmates. GA has a checkered past with hangings, but the last "legal" hanging here was in the '50's, after that it was electrocution in "Old Sparky."

We had a very entertaining afternoon with happy hour and dinner later in the evening. So far, no bugs and no rainfall.

More later.

Parked at the Country Club

To have eaten here we needed reserations.

Welcome!

A model of a "fire-ant."

Left is a "cat o 9 tails" Right a prisoners "uniform."

Me and "Ol' Sparky."

Yep, the Clan was active.

Our guide breaking and entering.

Gift shops are abundant all over.

A one-way door, DOWN

Lemme out, I'm innocent.

Later addition, had chamber pots earlier.

Rest in peace.

I want a room with a view.

And don't come back!

This is the last neck tie you will need.

The collar donated by the hanged persons family. 

Oops, be careful where you step.

Do drop in.

A home is always home. A child of one of the sheriffs held a gun on an escaped prisoner here.

The court house across the street. The funeral parlor is next door. 

Just a mural in the town.

See Ya! Barry and Shirley