Dancing

Wednesday morning I awoke to something nudging my foot. I opened my eye and noticed a dog looking at me. So I punched Don and told him he had a dancing dog on my side of the bed. He, sweetheart that he is, dressed and took Nick for a walk. So now we have Nick, the dancing dog. Anytime Nick thinks he is going out, he dances and/or paces until the leash is actually on him; then you better have the door open Now. Nick is very patient, but once the leash is touched you better just get a move on.
Once that was taken care of, plus breakfast, we set out for Historic St. Marys, GA. Have you noticed since 2000 there are more "historic" towns? Wonder if it was that way after 1900?
Anyway, St. Marys actually has a claim to historic since the first home, which is still in use, was built in 1807 and the Presbyterian church, also still in use, in 1808. The church was built as non-demoninational, but the first preacher was Presbyterian so they got it by default. The ceiling is actually a boat hull. When built the easiest thing to do was turn a boat upside down and make the ceiling/roof.
Everything is St Marys is decorated for Christmas (duh) and it makes it so beautiful. We went by the welcome center (and felt very welcome) and got a walking tour map and recommendations on where to eat lunch. We went to the Submarine museum. It is very interesting, but they are about to outgrow their space and things are a little cluttered. Saw the model of the USS Tennessee. Sorry folks, but no model of the USS Greeneville - somebody needs to get busy on that.
After lunch at Lang's Seafood, we went and made reservations to take the ferry on Thursday to Cumberland Island National Seashore.
Then there was a tour thru the Orange House. So named because of the Sour Orange Trees that were planted around it in 1826 - none of them are there now, but there are 2 trees that were planted in the 1940's. The house is typical Greek architecture with each side balanced. Our guide, Irene, grew up in St. Marys, about 2 blocks from this house. She had lots of memories of the house even though it was not lived in during the time she grew up.
The house was built for the Presbyterian minister and his wife by her father. Unfortunately, she died young and did not even live in the house. He lived there for some years, remarried and moved to AL where he taught at the U of AL. It has quite a history of owners. In the 1940's it was made into apts. When the foundation took the house over in the 1970's there was a lot of restoration to be done. None of the walls that had been taken out were replaced, otherwise the house is basically true to the original design. Naturally, it has been decorated for Christmas and theme is "Teddy Bear Reunion". Absolutely precious. I would love to have photos, but none are allowed in the house. All the furnishings have been either donated or on loan and are from different periods from the 1820's to the 1940's. Quite eclectic, but it works well. It was quite a long tour, mainly because we were the only ones there so Irene was taking her time and we were loving it. Oh yes, the house was occupied by Union forces during the War Between the States.
Being old, we were tired by then and headed home. We are looking forward to going back (anytime) on Dec. 8 for the candlelight house tour.
God Bless