Our excursion was a hop off hop off excursion today. We got
up super early to catch the first bus and stopped at many markets, boutique shops
and Myrtles Plantation. Our first stop was Audubon Market where we got snacks
and continued through all of the stops. A lot of the places were walking
distance between each other so it was easier to just walk than wait for a bus.
Myrtles Plantation isn’t as big as the plantation we went to
yesterday but it has more character. It’s considered one of the more haunted
places in America and has been featured on many paranormal shows. Myrtles
Plantation was built in 1796 by David Bradford and was originally called Laurel
Grove. Because of David’s involvement in the Pennsylvania Whiskey Rebellion he
lived there alone until 1799 when he was pardoned by John Adams. It was then
that he was able to bring the rest of his family to the plantation from Pennsylvania. Nine years after David died his wife, Elisabeth Bradford, hired Clarke Woodruff to manage the property in
1817. When Elisabeth died in 1831 Clarke took
ownership the property and sold it 3 years later to Ruffin Stirling who
completely remodeled the plantation which expanded the main house to nearly
double its original size. Ruffin also changed the name of the plantation to
what it is today, The Myrtles, after the flowers that grow there. Currently the
Plantation is a functioning hotel and hosts special Halloween tours during
Halloween.
It’s said that The Myrtles Plantation was built on top of an
Indian burial ground, hosts at least 12 ghosts and is the site of 10 murders. The
only documented murder is the murder of William Winter. William was an attorney
who acquired the plantation in 1865. The murder came to the Myrtle Plantation
by horse and called for a lawyer named William Winter. When William stepped outside
the murder asked who he was and after confirmation, shot him twice. William
staggered up the stairs yelling his wife’s name, Sarah. Sarah ran to William
meeting him on the 17th stair of the main staircase where William died.
Occupants have reported to hear gun shots, staggering foot steps on the stairs and the ghost of William yelling for Sarah.
After the stop at the plantation we continued our hop on hop
off tour to the rest of the markets and boutiques. Then it was back to the ship
for lunch.
We had some down time after lunch. I used that time to catch
up with my blog, email’s and social media. I was also able to sneak in a nap
before dinner. The cruise line also hosted a champagne reception for people
that have traveled the cruise line in the past. Those are always fun. We
canceled our reservation at the specialty restaurant and ate at the regular sit-down
restaurant tonight because we liked their menu better. Maybe we’ll go another
day.
Tonight’s show was a country cabaret show. It was a lot
better than I thought it would be. I was pleasantly surprised. There set list consisted
of Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Your Cheating Heart, It Wasn’t God Who Made
Honky Tonk Angels, Oh Lonesome Me, Tennessee Waltz, Coal Miners Daughter, Walk The
Line, Ring of Fire, Two Doors Down, Here You Come Again, The River, Friends In
Low Places, Is There Life Out There, Yakety Sax, Take Me Home
Country Roads, King of The Road, On The Road Again, The Gambler, Don’t It Make My
Brown Eyes Blue, Sixteen Tons, Rose Garden, Stand By Your Man, Achy Breaky
Heart, Harpe Valley PTA, Fancy, The Way You Love Me, Islands In The Stream and ended
with 9 to 5. It was a very cool show.
After the show I ordered room service then went to bed. Tomorrow
we go to Natchez, Mississippi. One of the highlights of our trip.
