May 26-27, Charleston, SC

Started out in the rain from Edisto. The day cleared up as we went along and we arrived in Charleston about 1 pm after a nice morning on the water. Very rural here with the Intercoastal running in a curving route using the rivers where possible and then a few cut canals to link everything together.

Underway in the rain.

Some of the markers are confusing. We could not decide whether this was a red or green (obviously it's both) marking the channel we are going into.

We are staying at the Charleston Maritime Marina on the north side of the peninsula and much closer to the old downtown than the Charleston City (Megadock) Marina where we stayed before.

Charleston City Marina where the 'big boys' stay.
Nicknamed 'Megadock".

The Charleston Maritime Marina is on the north side of Charleston and so we have to go around the east side of the city to get there. Lots of activity over on this side of town.

Charleston homes facing the Intercoastal.

Some big homes here from the 1800's.

Beautiful suspension bridge linking Charleston with the suburbs to the north.

Aircraft carrier USS YORKTOWN, now a museum, is in Charleston harbor.
Over 700,000 visitors a year.

Approaching Charleston Maritime Marina.

We like the location of the marina as we are in walking distance of town. High speed internet. Floating docks. A little 'rolley' here as we are exposed to the wind and wakes of Charleston Harbor. Walked around town the first day and had dinner at 'High Cotton'. Excellent.

U.S. Customs House.

Carriage rides are popular here.

Fountain looks like a pineapple to us.
Pretty waterfront park.

Restaurant 'High Cotton' with a pedicycle out front.
He is available for hire to take you where you want to go.

Next day we started at the Charleston Aquarium, rated a GEM by our AAA tourbook.

Charleston Aquarium.

King Street has nice shopping.

Charleston has some beautiful churches, each with a pretty steeple. City has height restrictions for construction and will not permit buildings that would interfere with views of the steeples. Steeples dominate the skyline. Very old world looking.




We walked Legare Street where we found many beautiful homes built in the Charleston style. Front doors open to a porch on the side of the house. Then you enter the house from the porch after being away from the public street. Very nice concept. A tour group in a horse drawn surrey takes the same route to see the homes.

Beautiful area.

Each home has the front door opening to the porch on the side of the house.

Each porch faces the homes side yard/garden.

A whole street of these homes that seem unique to Charleston.

Many homes have a beautiful garden in the side yard.

Some are visible from the street.
The gardens are well tended.

The shade makes the area cooler on a hot day.

This front door is a beauty.

Calhoun Mansion, built by George Williams in 1876.
Charleston's largest house at 24,000 square feet.
Now open to the public for tours.

Another nice day in Charleston. Dinner at 'Slightly North of Broad' (SNOB).