Day 160 Fun in Columbus

The morning was downright cold, but warmed quickly to gorgeous fall weather. The marina is surrounded by water lillies and pads. Pretty, but I'm sure the owners are not fond of them spreading everywhere. Got the courtesy car to get supplies and snoop around old Columbus. Sara and John joined us. Columbus is an old southern town incorporated in 1821. In the 1800's, palatial homes and plantations were built here - the southern aristocracy flourished. When the Civil War came to this area, Columbus was the site of a major hospital so it was spared destruction. After the war, a group of town women placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers calling it Decoration Day. This event was the original Memorial Day. The two John's walked the quaint city streets while Sara and I "girl shopped". We broused some really cool stores and the guys found some beautiful old mansions like The Painted Lady, a locally famous B & B. Tennessee Williams original home is here and now serves as a Welcome Center. Only had the car for two hours so hurried back and discovered Dave and Roberta from Roda Lee had just arrived at the marina. Lots of Looper friends boated in this afternoon. We are all heading back downtown tonight to a marvelous restaurant, Huck's, to get some good southern cookin' and drive around to see more of this historic area.