Charleston Redux

Monday, April 24, 2017

Since we arrived in Charleston before 11 am, we took advantage of the rest of the day to get a few chores done, including grocery shopping.  The marina provides a shuttle service that will drive you to and pick you up from any place in the downtown area. 

While in the grocery's parking lot, a middle-aged man drove up in a stunningly restored '58 Corvette.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

After a lazy morning, we walked into town and went to lunch at the Hominy Grill. Joan had a Bloody Mary garnished with pickled Okra,  and I discovered the wonder that is called Shrimp and Grits! :)

Bill and Lisa contacted us shortly afterwards, and they were only an hour away!  They must have gotten started at 5 am!    Once they arrived and got settled in, they drove over to the marina where we had cocktails before going out to dinner. 

We went to a Fish & Raw Bar called Amen Street, where we had been once before.  Had a great dinner and copious quantities of wine.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Today we began to play tourist in earnest.  We spent the day visiting an operating Plantation called Boone Hall.  Tons of facinating history.  No photos allowed inside the manor house though, as the owners still use the upper floor as a vacation house.

Watch your head in the slave quarters! We found a snake in one!

Tree-lined drive framed by huge, ancient live oaks.

Rows of brick slave quarters for the skilled "upper-class" slaves who had a trade.

What appears to be a diamond backed rattler nestled in the warm rafters of one of the buildings.

Manor House

Trees just dripping with Spanish Moss

Wild turkeys

Thursday, April 27, 2017

We continued our tourist gig today, this time visiting the WWII aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, and the cold-war era submarine USS Clamagore.  The carrier is HUGE!  The 5 self-guided walking tours took most of the day.

Yorktown and Clamagore

Hanger deck

Lots and LOTS of steep stairs!

Torpedo Workshop

Crew's bunks, three deep

Boiler room steam valves. Rube Goldberg would be proud!

Joan at the controls of an F9F Cougar

On the Flight Deck

While up in the bridge, we noticed that the Nina and Pinta replicas were tied up at the adjoining marina!  They're following us!

Nina and Pinta at Charleston

Captain Bill at the conn

Parting view

Bill & Lisa left this evening.  Tomorrow, we'll be on our way again, trying to make some time northbound.  We should be in Myrtle beach in three days.

Life continues to be good.