Thursday, October 28, 2010

Historic and Beautiful Charleston

Since we were in the vicinity we went to Charleston...if you are a history buff or if you love beautiful historic homes and buildings, and you want to see the way the Southern Aristocrats lived, then you must come see it!! It is the oldest city in SC, and my town Camden is the oldest inland city in SC.




that lady in pink is MOM

The Old exchange and Provost Dungeon was built by the British as an Exchange and Customs house in 1771.  American Patriots were held in the dungeon during the American Revolution.  There was a tour..but I'd much rather be above ground thank you very much--lol





The last time I was in Charleston I spent a lot of time in the Market area and didn't buy a thing--so this time we didn't bother to go there we strolled along the historic district....Gallery Row-Charleston has more than 30 art galleries!!




The beautiful baskets of the Gullah people are still around but not as prevalent as years gone by.  They hand weave beautiful sweet grass baskets.  I spoke to a team of mother/daughter weavers and they told me that like the rug weavers of the Navajo the craft is a dying art!  They said it takes patience to go out to the marsh and gather the grasses used to create the baskets and it takes patience to sit and weave the baskets and to come up with interesting designs and keep the heritage of the old designs alive.  Lastly it takes patience to wait for the basket to be sold, and according to them few have the patience to learn this wonderful art and trade.  The mother said "young people want to make their money today and spend it tonight." She sounded very wise to me, and I think she really wants to preserve this beautiful craft

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Rainbow Row is one after the other of wonderful homes built along the edge of the Peninsula facing the sea and the battery wall. The homes are painted all colors of the rainbow, thus the name-



This one I really like most it's the Edmonston-Alston House C-1825. Its now a museum.  With original furniture, silver, painting, books, and legal papers of the Alston family




I love the C-1800's homes, store fronts, and all that wrought Iron..the Charleston Historic Society has done a wonderful job keeping the historic look to the Peninsula area of the city.







Although I am not in favor of using animals for profit, I can only speak for myself and came to that conclusion after working in the horse racing industry for quite a few yrs...the horses in Charleston seem to be in good shape, well fed, groomed and shod, I saw a few that looked like they wanted to call it a day--this one had a beautiful braid job on his mane.





 Down to Battery Park the history of the wars, Revolutionary and Civil, is remembered...why is it we put up statues to remember war and none of what we have done for Peace?  Maybe we have not done enough for Peace-I think Woodstock is the only memory we have when we think of Peace-Y-




Up the waterfront and river walk parks there are some cool fountains and Swimming is allowed, they call it wading---




many comfortable benches line the riverwalk park for relaxing in the shade this couple serenaded us,


                                                                

             ...and a sweet view of the Ashley-Cooper Bridge-






       The yacht club had a youth race underway...it was a tight race-




 Saturday I am heading upstate for a couple of reasons...One to dog sit again, and to enjoy the beautiful fall colors that should be just about right in the  Blue Ridge Mtns. and if all goes as planned I will finally hike to the Raven Cliff Falls!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Honorable Mention for Moi~

My Sis lives in Colorado and she heard about the Roaring Forks Conservancy's annual Photo contest so I entered!! I was thrilled to be given an honorable mention!! A little feather for my wee hat-
Thanks to the Judges who selected my shot called Knee Deep.  The photo was taken in 2008 along the Frying Pan River in Pitkin County Colorado.
Back to: Home Page : River Stewardship : Photo Contest

2010 Winners




Saturday, October 23, 2010

Harvesting Memories in the Low Country of SC

Fall is all about harvesting in my mind, so what better thing to harvest than great memories? My mom is 86 so she needs to pack in as many as she can get...and Im helping by taking her to the coast for a short road trip...we came to the Low Country area of our state (SC) and the weather is perfect and we are enjoying the scenery here..including this great Visitors Center in the old Frampton Plantation House...check out these fantasy live oaks covered in Spanish moss-




The low country is famous for shrimping, remember Forest Gump and his Bubba Gump Shrimp company? Well we didnt see that one but we saw the shrimpers come in and dock for the night...


Fishing is something everyone enjoys in these parts, rivers, marsh, estuaries, & the Atlantic Ocean provide many opportunities to enjoy being at or on the water.  A fishing pier is the perfect place to get a birds eye view of what's swimming by..




We always support our state parks when we can otherwise they will go the way of the parks in Arizona!  So we visited Hunting Island State Park.  There is an old lighthouse (1873) and a great beach although the cabins we wanted to rent were flooded and marked to be demolished---the beach is suffering erosion as never seen before and that causes the trees on the island to be swept into the surf when storms come through and thats all the time anymore with our changing environment.  I think the Earth is cleaning herself and getting ready to shake things up a bit..meanwhile we best enjoy it while its here...


Hunting Island Lighthouse c-1873
              

The fallen wood gives a different perspective on the view of the ocean...and we can see how quickly Mother Nature takes what is hers and recycles it! There is a lesson in that for humans...this looks like the Lock Ness sort of---






The beach is always fun to enjoy, no matter what Mother Nature has going on, we can be a part of it...



say cheese


LOTS of cool driftwood if you are a collector -- look at the great artwork Mother Nature has provided for us--




So we took for Beaufort and Ill leave that post for my next one, as Im out of time--gotta pack up and head to Charleston today...Mother Nature shows off once again by using the sun to make an ugly concrete bridge something special...



Sorry I havent visited lately, hard to get everything in there when you're traveling, but Ill catch up asa I can..
Happy Travels to all of you what ever you're into today!