WOW -- Charleston!

November 4 - 13, 2012

We arrived in Charleston expecting to stay two days.  After the first day, we changed our reservation to two months!  The following morning the Today Show announced the best city to visit in the USA is Charleston!  Extending our stay was definitely the right decision.  It has been a phenomenal week:  architecture, history, shopping, gardens, the most delicious food and super nice friendly people!  If you have never made a visit to this city, you really must! 

 

Historical notes: 

The Slave Market
This is where the slaves shopped. 
It is not where slaves were sold.

In 1669 the first settlers arrived in Charleston. The first American Jews arrived through this port along with 1/3 of the slaves brought into the country. 

The shops inside the Slave Market. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Sumter was an early loss during the Civil War.  The Union fort was forced to surrender when it caught fire after a 34 hour artillery exchange.  The surrendering troops were granted permission to fire a 100 gun salute before lowering the Stars and Stripes.  One of the shots misfired and killed two Union soldiers.  Ironically, the first two official deaths of the Civil War were friendly fire.

 

 

The lavish lifestyle of the plantation owners and merchants crashed after the Civil War and the collapse of the rice market.  Luckily, the city was too poor to tear down and rebuild the homes.  Today those homes are selling for up to 20 million!  

Unique Style
What appears to be the front door, opens
to the porches on the side of the house.
If this door is open -- the owners are receiving
guests.  The real front door to the home is
midway on the main floor porch.

 

Pineapples are a symbol of hospitality.
Satellite dish is a sign of modern living.

The first submarine to sink an enemy ship was the hand cranked vessel H.L. Hunley.   It sank in 1863 and the crew drowned at it's Charleston mooring when the wake from a passing steamer flooded it.  The submarine was rediscovered in 1995 and raised in 2000.

Huge Saturday morning farmers' market in
Marian Park:  arts, crafts, vegetables and
food booths. 

 

   

Second Sunday of the month King Street (the main
shopping street downtown) is closed to traffic. 



Jennifer and her trusty stead, Amos. 
They gave us a wonderful tour and history lesson.

Two of the great restaurants we ate at.

While lost, we drove past this restaurant four
times.  We decided it must be an omen.  Great
sandwiches and homemade soups. 

Charleston is second only to Rome for the most
preserved city in the world. 

The Dock Theater built in 1736.  It is
 the oldest building constructed for the
sole use as a theater in the US. 
The theater is still in use today.

Walking the beach we were greeted by this warning!

South Carolina low country waterfront.

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!