Home from Charleston - Part 1

Well Siestas, vacation has come and gone. We had the most wonderful time. I really didn't want to come home (Jacob didn't either.) We had seven wonderful days to sleep late, sight see and simply have fun together as a family. It was heavenly to not have phones to answer, chores to do or being on a schedule. We should do this more often.

Charleston, er, I mean, Chahlston, is absolutely breathtaking. There is so much to see and do. It is a magical city filled with lots of history and plenty of activity.

The first day we walked over to the USS Yorktown, which is docked on the Cooper River. It was an active aircraft carrier in World War II.

Then, after we toured the Yorktown, we took a ferry out to Fort Sumter. This is where the Civil War began. (This is more my area of interest, so we were out there for a good while.)

This first picture is a view of Fort Sumter as we approached. The Atlantic Ocean is just beyond the Fort. It was designed to protect the Charleston ports. It was held by Federal troops until April 12, 1861, when the newly seceeded state of South Carolina began bombing the fort and took it over for what would become the Confederacy. (Sorry if I sound like a history teacher, I just can't help myself.)

The second picture is of the parade grounds and the remains of the soldiers quarters on the left. Those archways are where the cannons were housed.

The third picture is a better view of the same.


Day 2 took us to the historical district. (I was so excited.) We started with a horse and buggy tour. Ms. Sherry, shown here with her horse, Chief, knows her stuff! She is a 14th generation Charlestonian and loves the city. Check out the eighteenth century home in the middle. Can you imagine living in this house? I would love to give it a try. The third picture in this row is of crepe myrtles covered in spanish moss. The picture just doesn't do it justice.

This building (pic. 1) really haunted me. This is called the "Open Air Market." Although with the heat index at 105 degrees, I didn't find much open air. Anyway, these buildings (there were about four) were where slave traders brought slave to be held before going to be sold. It now serves as a place for various vendors - but the iron gates are still in tact. Very sad.

Then, there is a very old graveyard - some of the grave dated back to the 1600's. And here is a beautiful cobblestone street (aka, wharf).

So, this is just a little bit of our vacation. I wanted to share some with you tonight with the intent of posting some more tomorrow. I'm really tired from the trip - funny how that works, we go on vacation because we need a rest but then when we get home, we're pooped.

So, I thank our Lord for the wonderful time in Charleston with my two guys and I praise his name for my own bed waiting for me upstairs.

Blessings to you, siestas. Until tomorrow . . .