Clouds Over Charleston

Well, it's been a fairly eventful trip so far. The drive down through the Smoky Mountains and into warmer country was beautiful. It's been a long time since we've seen such vibrant shades of green, purples, pinks, and whites (the colors of blooming fruit trees). While we were driving, Lee and Mare were beginning to see the first part of a new snow storm developing in the mountains. By the time we got to Charleston and they got to a motel near DIA, there were already 6 inches of new snow in Estes Park...and it was still falling.

But back in South Carolina...I left my wallet in a gas station bathroom about an hour out of Charleston. By the time I discovered that fact, and Pam pulled out the gas receipt so we had a phone number, the wallet was gone. Pam (sweet person she is) spent the next hour + canceling credit cards. We are OK as one card (that Pam is carrying) is authorized for food and tours...so we are OK for all of that. Today we walked about historic Charleston...first on our own.

Pam found a fabulous restaurant for lunch. She had soft shelled crab--really good. I had a Southern specialty called shrimp and grits. It was delicious. After lunch, we joined a two hour walking tour. It was good to walk around and learn some of Charleston's history. It dates back to pre-revolutionary times (if you only count from the time white guys arrived here). Apparently George Washington had a fine time in the city, reporting that one night he danced with 250 ladies. Apparently he loved to dance the minuet. Lafayette stayed here also. Then, of course there were Generals Beauregard and Lee. Apparently Beauregard was having a party on the roof of his house when the shelling on Ft. Sumpter began. They were all expecting this and were just trying to get one more party in before the war started. It's easier to let you see some of the pictures of what we saw today. So, I'll sign off for now, especially since Lee and Mare's plane is expected in about an hour and a half.




No building that is standing for 75 years or more can be knocked down. The Custom House dates from way before the Civil War...or the War of Northern Aggression as it's known here.





Sweet girl who picked up after I lost my wallet.



Charleston Market...Only one section. It stretches for blocks.



Many ways to get around this town...


Interesting doors, flower boxes...and people?





Cobbles were used as ballast when empty British ships came to South Carolinas. The cobbles were dumped on the wharves as the ships were loaded with cotton, rice, and indigo for the return to Britain.



George Washington and many famous Southerners worshipped in this Church of England...now an Episcopal church after the revolutionary war.



Fencing to prevent rebellious slaves from entering homes and yards where they might do harm to white families.



The emblem of one of Charleston's fire companies. If you didn't have an emblem, no one would save your burning house or business.



Three red dots means this is a liquor store. State run. Open from 9-7 and not on Sundays. Plan ahead...and with that, we're off for the airport.

Location:Reid St,Charleston,United States