Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, had been on my "wish list" as a place I would love to visit for some time.  As a part of our settlement for the furniture at the "black hole" (BAD investment at Deer Valley that I hate to bring up) we were offered a lovely home on Kiawah Island in the low country of South Carolina and just a 45 minute drive from Charleston.  We invited the Furstenaus, Kenners and Dennis and Pam Wilson to join us. 

 After attending the ward for sacrament meeting, we made our way to Boone Plantation, the highlight for me being the beautiful oak trees...one dating back to the time of Columbus...and the interesting Spanish moss hanging from every tree and receiving its nutrients from the air. This low country is a complete opposite from our high mountain desert and we loved the lush green and humidity of May...a different story in the summer! (Me, Jeanette, Pam, Joan)

Our lovely home was just a 5-10 minute walk to the beach!  Crazy that one week earlier I was walking on the Pacific ocean shore, and now I was enjoying the Atlantic ocean beach....though it had NOTHING on the beautiful Oregon coast.  The sand was dark, making the ocean a kind of muddy color, but also hard which made it great for walking and bike riding on the sand.  The sun was just going down on our first visit to the shore...we were blessed with a beautiful, pink sunset!  (Me and Jeanette Furstenau)

 



Alligators were sunning on the golf courses and this alligator with the sinister smile was sunning on the banks of a former rice field at the Magnolia Plantation.  When a golf ball went in the direction of an alligator the guys must have said, "It's okay....You can have that one!"  We were warned of alligators and snakes, and thankfully, never saw a snake.  On one walk to the beach a friendly doe came right up to Pam and me (within 10 feet) before turning another direction.  A treat.

 





This is the mansion home at Magnolia Plantation though the original home was burned by Union solidiers, the next home was hit by lightning and this home was built in a different location in the early 1900s.   The massive acreage was used to grow South Carolina gold....rice, a business that dissolved overnight with emancipation.  The specific type of rice grown then and there was found growing in Texas and was sold in the gift shop here. Expensive at $6 a pound, but I was curious and bought a 2 lb. bag as a souvenir and Bill and I found it to be delicious! 



 

 Fort Sumter has always intrigued me, and so it was interesting to  see and learn more about the events that took place there and began the horrific Civil War. 

    

 

The river walk along the Battery was amazing.  The stunning antebellum homes all along the river front were pristine and so beautiful.  Most of them remain in the families of those who owned them during the war years and they remain the jewels of Charleston.  

 

We ate delicious meals in a variety of restaurants recommended to us and enjoyed fish and fried chicken and to top it off...award winning key lime pie!  The best I've ever had!  Scrumptious!

 

The last evening we took this horse and buggy ride through the area one last time.  We had a great time in Charleston and on Kiawah Island.  The guys golfed on "luxury" golf courses in the mornings, the women relaxed and enjoyed the beach, and then together we explored this beautiful history filled area.  I'm so glad we went!  A great time with great friends.