Friday, September 5, 2008

Labor Day in Charleston

This past weekend (Labor Day) found us on our way to Newberry, SC where VSU faced Newberry College in football. It was hot (96 with 90% humidity), but the victory made it worth the trip. Newberry was ranked 20th in the nation and of course we were last year's NCAA Champs. Since we were in the area we thought this would be a good opportunity to visit Charleston, SC. What a great city that is. So much history and really cool buildings.
This is the famous pineapple fountain in Old Charleston. The pineapple is an international symbol of hospitality, and it sure was true in Charleston.
Very interesting little alleyway that lead to several homes and a nice short cut.
We actually did some cultural things like visit an art museum. I was impressed by this sculpture. I had heard that the true test of a sculpturer was their ability to portray a woman behind a veil. This was a great example.

This is the entrance to the Charleston Slave Market. It was called this because it was where slaves sold goods that they had produced. Despite the name, the selling of slaves was prohibited in this market, despite the fact that Charleston was the major port for bringing in slaves from Africa.

Today it is a huge flea market (if you are interested in large fleas). Charleston had many, many very cool homes. They have restrictions now that no structure over 75 years old may be torn down, if it is possible to renovate.
The photo below brings up the old sailing question (for those who don't sail), "Can two sailboats sail in the opposite direction in the same wind?" I believe this photo clearly answers this question.
Here is the old versus the new. The question is, which one is old and which one is new? The carrier is the USS Yorktown a WWII era carrier on display in Charleston Harbor.

Charleston is know as the "Holy City" due to the number of churches. The one below is the First Espicople Church, which includes in its membership two signers of the Declaration of Independence.
The beaches were nice but the surf a little rough due to TS Hanna and very deep water.Our last day included a stop at Fort Sumter, the site of the first shots fired in the Civil War (Great War of Northern Agression). It was garrisoned by Union soldiers and was fired upon for 36 hours before they finally surrendered. South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union. Charleston Harbor at the start of the Civil War would have more than 100 sailing ships in port at any given time. Today it is the 4th busiest port in the US.



A good time was had by all. Great sea food!!




1 comment:

StrumpMan said...

very cool pics - sounds like a great trip! btw - the diploma is now finished and on its way