NOTE: If you click on any photo you will see all photos from the post in larger format and higher resolution

November 22, 2020

Charleston, South Carolina

Visited November 17 - 22, 2020

By Marty

Note:  This is an "after the fact" post as we work our way backwards to catch you up on our previous destinations.


We are asked from time to time "of all the places you have visited what one did you like best?"  We don't have a stock answer to that question as of yet. We usually mention a few particularly memorable places that, if the opportunity presents, we would love to visit again.  Charleston is, without a doubt, one of those places.

As you will see from the photos Charleston is a beautiful and remarkably well preserved historic city. 
 
Charleston's history is a rich one, but it has a dark side as well. Charleston was the pivotal city of the southern colonies. It was the fourth largest city in colonial America, after Philadelphia, Boston, and New York and it was the wealthiest. The city's wealth resulted from the success of the Southern plantation economy and the export of rice and, later, sea island cotton. The plantation economy, in turn, was built on slavery. Charleston was a major slave trading port: 40% of the enslaved Africans brought into this country passed through Charleston harbor, many to be sold around the South to supply the plantation industry.







The piazza of a Charleston "single house". The single house was only one room wide from front to back and oriented to catch cross breezes for relief from the oppressive summer heat and humidity. 


Beyond this wall is a new home under construction in the historic district. Architectural style is strictly governed within the historic district. Notice the brick wall modified to curve under the large tree limb.




The worst American defeat of the revolution occurred at Charleston in 1780 with the surrender of 3,000 Patriots after a six week siege by the British.

Queen Victoria was a monarch ahead of her time...




From the web:  "On July 1, 1856 the city of Charleston outlawed the sale of slaves on the streets, where many auctions were held. Locals found the practice distracting, perhaps even distasteful, and had complained to city officials. That same day, Ryan's Mart - now the city's Old Slave Mart Museum opened."

This is the Old Slave Mart Museum. Very enlightening and sobering.



McLeod Plantation



We toured the Nathanial Russell House, constructed in 1808









Above is the famous Charleston "Rainbow Row".  I wasn't able to get a good photo from across the street because of late afternoon shadows and vehicles parked in the street. 
On Janell's chest below you get a better idea of what it looks like...





Sunset from the Battery

 The Civil War began in Charleston's harbor when Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861.



Fried green tomatoes (i.e., not yet ripe tomatoes.) We ordered them for the first and only time while in the South. They tasted pretty decent; confirmation that pretty much anything will taste good if battered, fried in oil, and served with peach chutney.


Collard greens on the other hand....   But the fried chicken was delicious!


The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, North America's fourth longest cable stay bridge.


 

We pedaled across the 2.7 mile span on a bike/pedestrian path

 

 It's always wise to carry a spare tire, but this is over the top.

This guy passed us on his way to the port of Charleston. Michelin's North America headquarters is in Greenville, SC. It has nine plants in the state and employs 8,000 people. These Earthmover tires stand 13' tall and weigh up to 5.5 tons.

 

South Carolina is also home to BMW, Boeing, GE, and Volvo manufacturing plants. The BMW plants employs 11,000 people and produces more vehicles than any other BMW plant in the world. This photo shows new BMW's waiting to be loaded for shipment.



A fellow camper at our RV park near Charleston.  Food for thought as we contemplate our next adventure...












2 comments:

  1. A very interesting city, and looks like great weather for November. Thanks for modeling Rainbow Row, Janell! Bet you guys have a great tee shirt collection going😊 😘

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a beautiful city.
    Your description of fried green tomatoes reminded me of a conversation I had with my southern friend (Thurla) many moons ago.
    One day, said she should have been a nutritionist.
    I laughed, thinking she was joking.
    Thurla, "What...I'm a vegetarian."
    Mary, "But, all of your vegetables are deep fried and rolled in sugar."
    Thurla, "I'm a Southern Vegetarian."

    ReplyDelete

Comment Form message? where does this show up? and why?