Charleston Boat Taxi

Charleston Boat Taxi, Charleston, SC

I picked the best weather day for a boat taxi excursion. When you don't own a boat it is such a treat to be out on the water spotting birds and dolphins. I parked and caught the boat at the Maritime Center and hopped off at Patriot's Point.

Sadly most of the dining options were closed except for the Harbor Fish House and I had a nice salad overlooking the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier. The boat was crowded on the way back but stopping at a few spots extended the excursion nicely. $12 round trip. It's a good deal. Charleston Water Taxi.

Old Sheldon Church Ruins

Old Sheldon Church Ruins, Yemessee, SC  

We were to get a bright and sunny Saturday and a dreary rainy Sunday for the weekend and my friend Sharon had offered to do a road trip to the Old Sheldon Church ruins so we hit the road on Saturday morning. I've brought you here before but never tire of this beautiful spot. It was a lovely day and the dogwood trees were in full bloom.

Sadly grave markers from this historic spot have recently been stolen. It's hard to understand.

We followed our visit to the church with lunch in Beaufort and the ritual praline stop at the Chocolate Tree on the way out of town. It makes for a perfect day trip.

Old Sheldon Church RuinsSheldon Church has lain in ruin for more than 120 years. Its gable roof, pediment, windows, and interior have disappeared, but the classic simplicity of its design still remains. One of the first Greek-Revival structures built in the United States, Prince William's Parish Church, erected 1745-55, was once one of the most impressive churches in the Province. During the Revolution, the Patriots are believed to have stored gun powder in it. In 1779, when the British General Augustine Prevost invaded the Lowcountry, the church was burned by a detachment which according to tradition, was commanded by the flamboyant local Tory, Andrew Deveaux. Rebuilt in 1826, the church was again burned by Sherman's men in 1865. The ruins are nevertheless a picturesque site from which the visitor can visualize the grandeur of the pre-Revolutionary church.

UFO Welcome Station

UFO Welcome Center, Bowman, SC

Things are looking pretty sad at the UFO Welcome Station in Bowman, SC. I took the top picture in 2004 and the follow up this afternoon. Most of the fencing is missing, loose sheets of metal blow in the wind and the ramp is at half mast. Jody Pendarvis once gave me the royal tour, lowered the ramp and let me climb the ladder to peak at his private quarters in the upper level space ship. Not everyone can say that they've been in a space ship's private quarters.

I try to circle the block if I happen to be going through Bowman and the situation today looks pretty pitiful. I wonder if Trident United Way would accept it as a Day of Caring project. Do you think Habitat for Humanity would work on a spaceship? Does anyone know if something has happened to Jody or if it simply became too much to keep up?

When the aliens do land they are not going to be happy at the state of the official UFO Welcome Station. It is the only real cool and quirky thing in Bowman. I wish the town would adopt it, maintain it and make it a museum.

Roadside Napping

Edisto Island, SC

I am posting this early in case you were looking for a romantic spot to take your sweetheart for Valentine's Day. $10 for a photo op. Wonder what it would cost to take a nap? Uugh.

We are going to stray off strict the "Charleston Daily Photo" territory once and awhile. This will be the start of a "day trip" from Charleston category. This one is from a lovely drive to Edisto Beach. I took the picture some time ago so the mattress may have rotted away by now.

I am just back from a pre-pig out walk. My friend Estelle is treating me to brunch at the Palmetto Cafe at Charleston Place Hotel this morning. I have to walk a couple miles and then walk there and back to earn the calories I am planning to eat this morning. Yum.