One of the cottage walls holds a black-and-white photo taken of Johanna and Johnny at Caesars Head decades ago. Their romance with the mountain is one of many long-term Aiken allegiances. “Johnny and I met and fell in love in the sixth grade,” confesses Johanna, who says they were married two weeks after graduating from The Citadel and Columbia College, respectively. Johanna’s loyalty to others runs just as deep. “Every year,” she says, “the first week of November, five of my kindergarten friends come up. When I make ‘em, I keep ‘em forever,” she says, with a laugh, of her lifelong pals. There’s little doubt the kindergarten gang thoroughly enjoys the refuge originally designed as a catalyst for relaxation and conviviality. Somehow we think Colonel Hagood would be pleased to no end by the knowledge that such a gracious and fun-loving couple now cares for one of his cottages on the mountain. •
A small passageway separates the yearround screened porch from the rest of the house. Its elevation gives it the feel of a treetop perch. 30 | at home