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| After anchoring along the ICW a few nights, we arrived in Charleston, SC on Tuesday, May 15th, to dock at the Charleston Maritime Center. Wednesday we gave Capt. Jay a rest from navigating as we boarded a tour boat to visit Ft. Sumter where the first shots of the Civil war were fired. The guide said we could visit by coming in our own boat but after seeing the swift current flowing and the barnacles covering the pilings at low tide, we were glad we left the driving to the tour boat. |
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| The flags hung limp over the Fort in the calm winds. The park guides and exhibits did a great job of explaining Ft. Sumter's role during the Civil War. Ft. Sumter saw much more action than Ft. Clinch that we visited in Fernandina Beach. It was interesting to see Charleston Harbor with its busy boat traffic from kayaks to large freighter ships. |
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| Many original Charleston homes had a main front door like this one opening on to a long porch with several doors opening into rooms of the house. We learned this was to take advantage of any breeze that may be blowing from the north, east or south harbor. We enjoyed long walks around Battery Park in downtown Charleston. |
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Charleston has a beautiful promenade called Waterford Park along the Cooper River. A large pineapple fountain is a focal point. As Jay was snapping a photo, some nice young fellows visiting from Massachusetts came to join me for a kodak moment.
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| On Wednesday Tara and Tegan drove to visit us from Aiken. Tegan enjoyed playing inside and outside Priority and took a dinghy ride. |
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| Tom and Marge came to visit from Delaware and Tegan entertained us all. His little plastic boat on a string not only was fun in the water but also followed us down the street. We ventured out to the park playground nearby. |
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| Uncle Jay got a turn to give Tegan a shoulder ride, too. |
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| We walked to a play-pool fountain in Waterford Park where Tegan enjoyed the water still pulling the little boat. He had company at the fountain as other families and children played in the water. We all needed a nap by late afternoon as Tegan, Tara, Tom and Marge said goodbye. It was a fun visit for everyone. We will use the marina laundry and water to fill tanks on Thursday before leaving Charleston and heading on north up the ICW. Afternoon and evening rain and thunderstorms are getting to be a normal occurrence. |
