Charleston SC

Matthew and I had some wonderful days in Charleston.  (We scuttled out of Savannah, GA after one night; it was cold and raining.)

Beautiful Spanish Moss on the Live Oaks in the campground.

First activity—Charleston Tea Plantation (The only tea plantation in the U.S.A.)

One of the fields of tea plants

The only one of its kind--tea leaf cutter

That same day, we took a carriage ride around the historic districts of Charleston.

On the right, behind the guide--Rainbow Row (brightly painted homes) 

GRAND homes!  

One of the main streets.  St. Michael's Church is in the background

The next day, Matthew and I enjoyed naval and military history. 

USS Yorktown (carrier) Nicknamed: The Fighting Lady.

The Head (sinks and mirrors only)

One of the many sleeping quarters

USS Laffey (battleship) Nicknamed: The Ship That Would Never Die.

During a battle, with over 50 kamikaze and bombers (the largest kamikaze attack in history), the Laffey was struck by 5 Kamikaze and 3 bombs.  It stayed afloat.

Laffey Under Attack

Clamagore Submarine

Up and out!

Fort Sumter:  Where the Civil War began!

General P.G.T. Beauregard, commander of the confederate forces in Charleston, opened fire on the Union held Fort April 13, 1861.  The Union commander, Major Robert Anderson, formally surrendered the next day, April, 14, 1861. 

Yes, I am going some place with this! (I learned this tidbit during the rangers speech at the Fort.)

Exactly 4 years to the day, April 14, 1865, the Confederate Army formally surrendered Fort Sumter.  Interestingly, not only was Major Anderson invited to attend this ceremony, so was Abraham Lincoln.  President Lincoln declined this invitation to instead attend a production at the Ford Theatre.
Interesting...how would history have been different?

Arriving to Fort Sumter by ferry

Looking back to the shore 

Some of the bombarded walls inside the fort