Charleston!
For a getaway, we once again visited Charleston, South Carolina and the surrounding areas. Charleston carries so much charm, but it also has a haunting past. When I look at many of the photos below, they seem to reflect the duality of the city. The azaleas in full bloom color the gardens with promise and beauty. The lush green grass covers the ground like carpet, welcoming for all to see and enjoy. And then, there’s the Spanish moss which hangs from the trees hauntingly, and reminds me of its conflicting past. The beginning of the Civil War began when Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor. South Carolina was also a slave society, with enslaved Africans who made up the majority of its population during the early 1700s. At this point, however, I tend to focus on the present with hope for the future like that of the azalea blooms.
In describing the cuisine of Charleston, I would say that it deliciously Southern! There’s lots of seafood, BBQ, fried food and other good dishes. Coincidentally, while we were there, they were having the Charleston Food and Wine Festival. Next year, we will plan to attend.
Below are photos taken at Bowens Island Restaurant, a seafood shack which sits on one of the waterways, where the food is scrumptious. While eating on the deck, relaxing, and looking at the water and the setting sun, we were surprised and delighted to see dolphins.
Speaking of dolphins, there were lots of other animals keeping us company. While looking out of our hotel room window, I spotted what appeared to be 3 alligators! Thinking that I was mistaken, I dismissed the thought until I saw the “beware of alligator” sign. I was most careful from then on.
Here are some local books displayed at a Charleston book store.
One of my favorite things to do while traveling anywhere is to watch the early morning sunrise and the evening sunset. My spirit is always touched.
