Charleston

March 22 - April 18, 2017

We've spent a fun month in Charleston, sightseeing, eating, shopping, working on boat projects, meeting lots of cruisers, and planning, planning, planning ...  Whew!  What a lot of decisions to make for this cruising season.  But I will save our itinerary for the next post, hopefully in a few days.

French Huguenot Church, Charleston SC

We chose to stay at a marina near downtown, but not in the hustle and bustle of the city.  It is an easy drive to town when we want to go, but our location is peaceful, quiet and scenic.

Shops on Queen St., Charleston SC

We enjoyed several days walking the historic district, shopping and visiting the local art museum.

St Phillips Church spire from Queen St

Charleston has done a wonderful job of keeping it's waterfront open and accessible.  Waterfront Park fronts on the Cooper River.

 Waterfront Park, Charleston SC

Waterfront Park, Charleston SC

Battery Park, nearby, lies at the base of the historic district.  Fort Sumter is visible in the distance.

Battery Park, Charleston SC

Charleston is known for world class restaurants and it did not disappoint.   From an elegant country French bistro to local butcher shops serving in-house smoked meats to traditional Gullah cuisine, we enjoyed them all!

Ted's Butcherblock, Charleston SC

California Dreamin, Charleston SC

Island Breeze, James Island

Charleston is close to a number of barrier islands, all with great beaches.  Boka got to check our several, including Folly Beach and Isle of Palms.

Boka at Folly Beach

Isle of Palms SC

Isle of Palms SC

We drove to nearby Wadmalaw Island in search of fresh shrimp.  Unfortunately, shrimp season has not yet started.

Wadmalaw Island SC

Much of the Charleston area, including large parts of the city itself, consists of salt marsh and open water.  Four rivers flow through the area (Cooper, Ashley, Stono and Wando).  Development is scattered on upland areas.

Wadmalaw Island SC

We were surprised to find this tea plantation near Charleston.

Charleston Tea Plantation

They claim to have the only commercial tea production in the US.

Charleston Tea Plantation

Tea is grown and processed at this location.

Charleston Tea Plantation

Fields of tea shrubs (related to Camellias) are pruned in preparation for the spring growth.

On Johns Island, near our marina, is the "Angel Oak".  Massive in size, it is thought to be at least 400 years old.

Angel Oak, Johns Island SC

A special treat was a nearby farmers market.  Every Saturday we could buy locally grown produce.

Johns Island Farmers Market

We especially enjoyed this mushroom purveyor.  It's hard to describe the delicate flavors of these fresh mushrooms - not at all like the grocery store selection.

Johns Island Farmers Market

 Robert bought fresh shrimp and clams.

Johns Island Farmers Market

Greenhouse tomatoes included some heirloom varieties.

Johns Island Farmers Market

 Fresh breads were fabulous!
 

Johns Island Farmers Market

Boka even found home made doggie treats.

Johns Island Farmers Market

Boka met lots of other Boykin spaniels in Charleston.  The breed originated in this area and is very popular.

Johns Island Farmers Market - Boykin Spaniel

Carolyn fixes Chioggia beets, or "Bullseye" beets, from the farmers market.

St Johns Yacht Harbor has been a comfortable place to stay.  There are lots of friendly liveaboards and loopers coming and going.

A bridge at the marina entrance had a little mishap 2 years ago, collapsing with the weight of a too-heavy truck.

St Johns Yacht Club

A lengthy negotiation over who is responsible to fix the bridge has turned the parking area and grounds into a protected dog park.  Boka loves running off-leash here and meeting all the other live-aboard dogs.

St Johns Yacht Club

Charleston is the headquarters of America's Great Loop Cruisers Association (AGLCA), dedicated to providing information and networking opportunities to those of us cruising the Great Loop.  While in town, we were treated to "docktails", a cocktail reception for loopers at our marina.

AGLCA Docktails at St Johns Yacht Harbor

Kim is the Executive Director of AGLCA; we enjoyed meeting her and appreciated her efforts to include local boaters who have already completed the Great Loop.  They were a wealth of information.

Carolyn, Robert and Kim Russo (AGLCA Executive Director)

Looper boats heading north between Savannah GA and New Bern NC

We are now meeting lots of other loopers as we have joined the spring migration north.



















Our time in Charleston has drawn to a close.  We are now moving north as we begin a very busy cruising season.

St Johns Yacht Harbor