Back From The South

We just returned from a short trip to visit with Keith and spend some time seeing the sites in South Carolina. We ended up spending three days in Charleston and could have spent a couple more to be able to visit all the places we wanted to see. If you are looking for a great vacation spot this is one of those places.

For history buffs we visited the place were the Confederate submarine Hunley is being restored after it was found in 1998. We also toured Ft Sumter and went aboard the carrier Yorktown and the destroyer Laffy, both of which served in WWII. While we were on our way back from Ft Sumter the boat we were on was visited by some of the local dolphins. We also spotted a couple swimming around next to the Yorktown. What a great extra to a fun day.

An entire day was spent touring the downtown area admiring the architecture of the buildings, most of which date back to before the Civil War. Our first part of the day we just walked around looking at many of the old buildings including many old churches. We also took a horse drawn carriage ride through the old section of town, learning a lot about the history of the town from our tour guide. For lunch we went to the "Bubba Gumb Shrimp Company" for a little seafood. We also spent some time in the local open air market that is in the same buildings it started in over 100 years ago.

On Sunday evening we went down to Folly Beach and took a walk out the fishing pier which extends into the ocean for about 1000 feet. It was a great way to relax after a long day of site seeing.

Looking down one of the many streets in Charleston lined with Pre-Civil War houses.

Barb and Keith looking out at Battery Park.

The Angel Oak Tree is estimated to be over 1500 years old. http://www.angeloaktree.org/history.htm

Looking down Folly Beach from the fishing pier at sunset.

The carrier Yorktown is anchored in the Charleston harbor and open to the public.

Four days went very fast and before we knew it the time came to say goodbye and head back home. It was great to spend time with Keith and we never get tired of saying how proud we are of him and what he is doing.

On the way home we took some time to stop at one of the local vineyards in North Carolina and picked up a couple bottles of wine (why not add some time to a nine hour trip). I guess we should share them with Kris and Charlie.