A Cruise on the Carolina Belle

Yesterday we didn't do very much so I didn't post.  We just went into camping world and hung around the campground.

Our excitement for the day was having a class A get stuck in the site next to Jim.  They used a Jeep with a hemi to pull it out.  I hope it doesn't rain at least a day or two before we leave so we can get out.

Jim cooked lunch outside.  It was one of the first really nice days to be outside. Even Buddy enjoyed laying around in the sun and cool breeze.

I never can remember to take a picture of our food before we start eating.  We are always too hungry I guess.  Here is a pic of Doug's brat before he ate it all.  LOL

Today we went back into Charleston and took the Carolina Belle tour cruise.  I wish I could remember everything he told us.  Our narrator was very informative.

                                This is Fort Sumter.  It originally had walls 50' high around it.

The gray black walls almost looked like a ship to me.  You can take a water taxi to the fort and look around.

This was another fort, but I can't remember which one.  There were forts everywhere in the harbor.  Our guide said they were laid out like a baseball field with Fort Sumter being home plate.  There is a fort at 1st, 2nd and 3rd base, if you can picture it in your mind.

Then you come around to the Isle of Palms. (I think that is what this was) Anyway this neighborhood that you are looking at, ranks in the top 10% of most expensive homes in America.   Don't guess I will look for a beachfront home there.

We had this big freighter go by us.  It was carrying thousands of BMW's.

To show you just how big it was, see the boat behind it?.. That boat was the same size as the one we were on.  Looks awful little doesn't it.

Notice the skyline of Charleston.  There are no skyscrapers.  City ordinance states you can't build a building any taller than the tallest church steeple.

The beautiful and 2 1/2 mile long bridge.

It really is a pretty bridge.  There is an elevator in the concrete triangles so that maintenance can be done.  There is enough concrete in those towers to build a 2 lane highway from Charleston to Atlanta.

The USS Yorktown is in the harbor also.  You can tour it along with a submarine and a cruiser.

These are some shots of the Carolina Belle and her captain.

From there we went to Hyman's Seafood for supper.  We got there at just the right time.  We were seated immediately.  See all the people standing around.  They are waiting to be seated.  I took this picture as we were leaving.

Some shots inside.  And of course I forgot to take a picture of the food before we started eating. But I did get one before it was all gone.  I must say I had the best crab cake I have ever eaten.

                                                 Crab cake, shrimp and flounder.

                                               Crispy fried whole flounder

                                           Crab cake, carolina jerk shrimp, squash casserole and shrimp and grits.  I                  almost missed the picture of the shrimp and grits.

fish and chips

This is what Doug's flounder looked like after he finished it.  lol

 As we were leaving we looked in the window and you could see in the kitchen.  Here is some of the fresh catch they were serving.

And a couple of the cooks showing off for us.  

We had a great day, the weather was perfect for us.  Hoping for a good one tomorrow.

Later

A trip to Edisto Island and the Atlantic Ocean

We took a trip to see the Atlantic today.  I haven't ever seen the Atlantic and was quite excited about seeing it.  I thought it was 10-15 miles down the road from us.  I was wrong.  Had we gone into Charleston it would have been.  But no, we went to see Edisto Island, 36 miles away.  I was so disappointed that I had forgotten my camera.  I wanted pictures of this first sight.  Was I disappointed?  Yes twice.  The Atlantic at least on this island is dirty and brown.  The sand is brown and the only redeeming part of it was that there were shells everywhere.  Big shells, little shells, white ones, black ones and huge black mother of pearl looking ones.  I did pick up some interesting looking ones and I will take pictures of them and post them tomorrow.  I also found what I think is some dead sponge and small pieces of driftwood.  I thought they would look good in my rock garden at home, so of course I brought that back too.
There were some beautiful homes built on the beach but I am afraid that I would never want to own one of them because of the water. YUK!  What can you do on this beach? I wouldn't want to walk on it because of the large amount of shells.  I wouldn't swim in it because it's so brown you couldn't see the shark that was about to eat you. The water was so rough you couldn't even stand in it.  Give me the beautiful waters of Destin, FL. any day!
Since this trip was so far that's all we did today.  When we got back we fixed tacos and cheese dip for supper.  Oh well...maybe the water will be prettier on one of the other beaches.  Libbie and I are trying to talk the guys into taking a boat tour.  It advertises that it takes you to 75 of the most popular points of interest.  Hopefully if we go, I will remember my camera.
Happy Easter!
Rejoice, He lives!

I think we will need a boat if it doesn't stop raining!

It rained all night last night and this campground is starting to look like a lake.  Buddy likes walking in all the mud puddles but doesn't like having his feet dried off when we come back in.  I tell him to make up his mind what he want more.... playing in the water, or me leaving his feet alone.  So far the water is winning.

We decided to drive into Charleston to take a look around.  It was a dreary and cool day so we thought we would just drive around to see what we might want to go take a look at on a better day.

We had lunch at a place called "The Kickin Chicken".  Their special today was chicken and waffles. We decided to try some.  The chicken was delicious but I must say that I don't see the connection between the chicken and waffles.  They just don't go together to me.  Must be an acquired taste.

We drove down to historic old downtown and the amount of historic homes, businesses and churches was astounding.  If you notice on the left of this church is a building that is completely wrapped.  They are restoring it.

This is a picture of the building. I don't know how many stories tall it is but I can't believe they wrapped the whole thing.  I believe that it is part of the church.

The traffic was really bad but did move pretty quickly.  The stores were just one after the other for what seemed like miles.  lol

There was everything from designer stores to stores that sold Hookahs  lol  I think that is how you spell it.

Then there were some of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen.  These were all facing the wharf.

There were beautiful churches also.  I believe the paper I was looking at said a mile of churches.

It will be hard to decide what to do and see first.  I just hope the weather starts cooperating.

How would you like to look out your front door and see this....

 There was even a Carnival cruise ship docked.  It was the Fantasy.

Sorry there are so many pictures but it was so pretty and so much to see, I couldn't narrow it down anymore.  I have a few hundred to choose from.
Later

Charleston and Statesboro, SC

Since I am behind I will start with yesterday.  Libbie and I drove into Statesboro to do some shopping and take a look around.  We had lunch at a small deli on Main St. called 40 East Grill.  We had hamburgers and they were delicious!

This was a very pretty town that I am sure had a lot more to see and do but we just didn't have the time.

 City Hall was too big and I was too close to get a picture as close as I was so .... it's sideways. lol

Now on to today...
We wound up in Charleston, SC  today instead of Savannah.  We are at Lake Aire RV Park.  It was the only place we could find open in either city.  We didn't think about it being Easter weekend.  Theparks are all full.

 The sites are grassy and not really a site at all.  But the ground seems solid.  I hope so because it has started raining again and we are under a flash flood watch.

 The office and area seem nice enough.  They offer Good Sam and Passport America discounts.  Cost with PPA discount is $25.75 night and with GS its $32.40 night.  Usually you get sites for 1/2 price with PPA so I am not sure why this one isn't.  It could be because they gave a discount for 3 nights and usually PPA is for 1 or 2 nights only.

The rain is suppose to last thru tomorrow.  It has followed us everywhere we have been.  I sure hope it ends soon.  I love sleeping in the motorhome with the rain falling but during the day, I would like to have some sunshine so I can see Charleston without having to dodge the rain and mud puddles.