Charleston, SC What a great walkable city!

March 23, 2015 - Charleston, SC - We were pointed to the James Island County Park Campground by my uncle Ward and his friend Warren.  What a great spot, 6 miles from downtown Charleston!  Plenty to do here to experience southern culture and the rich history of this city and region.

First you arrive via the Ravenel Bridge, with a main span of 1,546 feet it is the 3rd largest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere.

We visited the Middleton Place Plantation. An idyllic spot, but we recognized continuously, throughout the duration of our visit, that it was created through the institution of slavery and the slave labor force that died (and survived) for it.  We were fortunate to participate in an hour long, guided interpretation, of the slavery question and life on the plantation.  Good discussion!  The Middleton plantation claims to be the first “formal garden” in the US (think Versailles).  Geometrically laid out gardens, boxwood hedges and trees.  Watch out for the alligators in the Mill pond.  The plantation made it’s money with the commodity rice crop, enabled, of course, through the institution of slavery and the labor which it drove.

Watch out for the gators!

Great guide on the "beyond the fields" slavery interpretive tour.

Creeping things hanging around the Spanish Moss.

And STAY ON THE PATH!

On a rainy Sunday we caught the noon tour of Fort Sumter, the site of the start of the Civil War.

 It is only accessible by boat, 30 minute ride out through Charleston Harbor, an hour at the fort then back.  A great tour, and wonderful depictions of the history and knowledgeable guides.

The" Spirit of the Low Country"

The fort itself.
It was fun watching the Dolphins play in the harbor on the ride.