Traveling Buoy Park — Attraction in Port Royal

Some people love lighthouses, I love buoys. When I first learned of this park a few years ago, I immediately added it to my bucket list. Last week, I was finally able to visit it, and I'm so glad I did. I love that you can walk up and touch the thing - you can even climb on it! And coolest yet is that the gongs and clappers are still functional. You can make them chime like they would if it were rolling in the sea. Only don't ring them too much, as it is in a quiet little neighborhood, in a very nice little town. The story behind this buoy is interesting, and I'm glad they retired this buoy and put it on display...

This pocket park is not far from the Port Royal Boardwalk and is along London Avenue north on the peninsula. There are a few benches here that face the star of the park - the traveling buoy.

There is a plaque mounted that tells the story of it breaking its mooring here in Port Royal and traveling 6000 miles to Scotland, only to be returned several years later. It's now on display and permanently lit in tribute to fallen police officers in the United States.

Stop by and...

I like this little spot because it's got a great story. Be careful, though. As you're standing around reading the story, you just might find yourself under attack by fire ants. This happened to me last summer. Land managers might have got this under control by now, but just be careful wherever you stand anywhere on sandy substrate in the south. Fire ants...