Sunday, April 7, 2019

Charleston, South Carolina


Heron
Beautiful Morning 


April 3-6
     We traveled 67 miles on the ICW from Beaufort to Charleston on a cool,  misty morning.  The ride was beautiful, saw lots of marsh and waterbirds.   We pulled into the Charleston City Marina around 1:00 pm, in plenty of time to get off the boat and walk around.  We discovered that the historical district is pretty close to the marina.
   
       It is amazing how Salty, our little dog, adapts so quickly to new marinas.  She loves to walk with us when we first arrive.  Usually all  the people  in  the marina offices are friendly and offers her a treat.  She will generally run around their desk to say hello and sit for her welcome treat!  She will quickly get oriented and usually recognizes our boat, despite being in so many different marinas.
Old Restored Home
Historic Homes on the Waterfront
Rainbow Row 

     Charleston is a lovely city, especially in the spring when the azaleas and wisteria are in bloom.  The historic district is known for its beautiful old stately homes and gorgeous gardens.  We enjoyed a guided walking  tour through the area.  Our guide was very knowledgeable  and filled us in on some of the history of the early settlement and the role that Charleston played in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.  He is a native of the city and it was evident that he loves it.  He told us that the former mayor, Joseph Riley, served 10 terms as mayor,  from 1975-2016!  I thought that was remarkable!
Fort Sumter

      We  took a ferry ride to explore Fort Sumter, which is an an isolated island in  the Charleston Harbor.  This is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
Drayton Hall

     We visited Drayton Hall Plantation, which was built in the mid 1750's and was in the Drayton  family for seven generations.  It is located on the Ashley River about 15 miles from Charleston.  It is unusual because the house has survived through the wars, an earthquake and hurricanes.  It has been preserved to the original condition, not  restored.  There is no added electricity, no running water and no bathrooms!  It is as it was when the Draytons lived there so many years ago.  One interesting story our guide told  us was that during the Civil   War, the owner of the plantation (a physician) put a yellow quarantine flag out, indicating that there was a smallpox outbreak  at the house.  Whether this was true  or  not, the Union  soldiers passed them by, undisturbed!  The surrounding plantation homes were damaged and burned.
Drayton Hall

     

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