Exploring Charleston

Charleston  

We finished our clean-up this morning and then prepared to go explore Charleston. The temperature had risen to the upper 50s, but the wind was brisk. Barry secured his ball cap before we exited onto the new floating dock. We were still marveling at how nice this structure is. Massive pilings secure the concrete deck. Oversize cleats allow for the attachment of more than one line. The "Safe Harbor" branding of the cleats is a bit over the top. The wind had blown over one of the resident dockside coyotes, but Barry "rescued" it and put it back on its feet. Sea foam from the turbulent Ashley River had blown up on the dock. 

We exited the marina onto Lockwood Drive and walked along the grassy wetlands. Heavy rain had fallen overnight and there were plenty of large puddles to dodge. As we approached the turn at the end of the peninsula, Barry returned to Crossroads and I continued my walk. I entered the South of Broad residential neighborhood and immediately started taking in all the beautiful architecture. I love every aspect of Charleston, but I always gravitate to the doorways, window boxes, gardens, and gas lamps. Grand houses overlooked the water on Murray Boulevard. I walked along the seawall until I reached White Point Garden. Live oaks line the perimeter of this green space. Many folks were out enjoying the day. One woman had here hands full with three small spaniels. 

I wandered along South Battery Street and found the amount of vegetation growing on the limbs of the live oaks to be just as fascinating as the pride of lions guarding an entryway and a private garden. I turned onto narrow Church Street and made my way north while capturing photos of my favorite scenes.  

The presence of a shiny new copper downspout confirms that Church Street is a low-crime area. Widow boxes featured kale, pansies, and ... bamboo. At noon the sounds of the church bells filled the air. Drawn by the chirping of several birds, I walked through the Saint Philip's Anglican Church cemetery. The iron gates surrounding the cemetery date back to before the American Revolution. A prominent grave under the large live oak tree was that of John C. Calhoun (vice president to both John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, Senator, and Congressman). The church's 200-foot tall steeple, which once served as a lighthouse, is encased in scaffolding while it undergoes renovation as part of a $20 million capital campaign.

Next up was the French Quarter and its namesake Inn with the lion and pineapple fountain at its entrance. Circling the block took me alongside the attractive artwork on the Charleston Crab House. I walked through the City Market and then retraced my steps as I admired the paintings, photography, and especially the sweetgrass baskets of the Gullah weavers. The Corinthian columned portico of the US Customs Building on East Bay Street casts an imposing presence. It was completed in 1879 and is still in use today. A few steps later I had made my way to Waterfront Park. The iconic Pineapple Fountain was visible through the canopy of live oak branches.

The Lilly statue joyfully marks the entrance to the park. A "Wade at Your Risk" sign had been cleverly placed in the middle of a large puddle. Hidden amongst the paper plants is a marker recognizing Robert Smalls, who we had previously learned about in Beaufort, SC. Finally I made it to the Pineapple Fountain, waited my turn in line, and took the required selfie. 

Time to make my way back across the peninsula to Mega Dock, starting on East Bay Street. I visited our favorite frog outside the Lowcountry Artists Gallery and walked through the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery. A bubble machine provided a few minutes of entertainment. The breeze carried the bubbles for blocks. Restaurants with very southern names could be found on every corner. 

The most ornate gas lamps were spotted on the front of the Market Pavilion Hotel. The crowds had increased at the City Market. A quick stop was made at the Old South Carriage Company to visit the draft horses. Barry and I have taken a carriage tour on three previous stops in Charleston. If weather and time permits we'd love to do it again. I returned to the marina via Beaufain Street. Across the marsh grasses I spotted the distinctive profile of another Selene. Curiously, I walked the dock and found that it was our friend Bob's beautiful 57-foot Selene. He was not aboard. With perfect timing, I was back on Crossroads in time for the kickoff of the NFL playoff game between the Eagles and Rams. As I prepared dinner, the sun set across the Ashley River to close an enjoyable day in Charleston.    

The forecast has improved from last week. The lows once predicted to be down to 15 have risen to 29 degrees, but there's still a chance for a frozen mix. We will work on our plan for moving further south tomorrow.