A Taste of Charleston

I thought you might enjoy a few pictures Reed and I took while we were in Charleston the past week. One of the highlights of our trip was going inside some of the historic homes to get a glimpse of what life was like in the 1700s and 1800s. It was easy to imagine hosting a formal ball or entertaining wealthy businessmen and heads of state in the candle lit parlor. The structure and furnishings in the homes are original and passed down through the generations to their families who live there today. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level porches span the length and width of the homes providing views of the ocean, enormous oak and magnolia trees centuries old, or the expanse of the family plantation - all a testament of personal wealth. The stunning stair cases we climbed and the hallways we walked brought to life the romance of the Old South.

We also took a dinner cruise where we had the opportunity to see what the homes look like from the harbor as we passed along the East and South Battery at sunset. Dolphins played in the bow wave of our boat and occasionally jumped out of the water and rolled onto their side either showing off or attempting to catch a glimpse of their captive and cheering audience. Pelicans and gulls were content crossing in front of us just far enough ahead to keep us on the deck watching their graceful flight. Our dinner and private table made a perfect evening after a day of walking.

The streets of old Charleston came alive on Sunday morning. Church bells rang and families walked quickly attend their worship services on time. An older gentleman stopped and invited us to attend a Huguenot service; Reed respectfully declined and later commented what a fine ward mission leader he would make.

The Civil War started at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. We visited the H. L. Hunley, the first submarine ever built and used by Confederate forces to sink the USS Housatonic guarding the fort. The submarine was found in 2000 and is undergoing preservation efforts at the naval shipyard. Her crew of eight was recovered and given a military burial at the nearby Magnolia Cemetery which was established in the early 1840's. The submarine is being kept in a tank of fresh water treated with chemicals to help remove salt from her rusted hull. Some of the exterior panels had been removed during excavation allowing us to see the hand crank the eight men used to power the vessel. A gold coin and two pieces of jewelry found in the Captain's pockets are on display in the museum. Unfortunately, no photographs are allowed at the facility.

Visiting the H. L. Hunley and Magnolia Cemetery gave us a rich understanding of the strategic significance and toils of war that took place at Fort Sumter. There, Union forces defended the fort in the opening salvos of the Civil War eventually surrendering to the unrelenting Confederate attack. Cannons remain in place at the garrisons around the fort.