Rooftop

Wentworth Mansion, Charleston, SC

It's been a day of thunderstorms and dramatic skies. I caught this view of the roof of the Wentworth Mansion on my walk this morning.

I hope everyone else is ready for Monday. I'm not. 

Smiley toes!

Wentworth St., Charleston, SC  

I went to a work related farewell party at the Watch restaurant in the Restoration Hotel this afternoon. This is the second rooftop bar/restaurant I have been in recently and it is a treat to see new views of the peninsula. On my way back to my car my tootsies stopped for a smile. 

Rooftop view - Central Station

Central Station, Meeting St., Charleston, SC 

I am late to the game keeping up with all of Charleston's new restaurants but was recently invited to a birthday brunch for my dear friend Andre in the rooftop restaurant of the Grand Bohemian Hotel. Most pictures I have seen from the hotel have been of people lounging in the outdoor terrace but it was too cold for that the day I was there. I did go out to see the view and reached my cell phone over to grab this shot of the fire stations on Wentworth and Meeting St. Researching more information I came across a wonderful directory of historic Charleston fire stations with the background information below: 

Wonderful directory of historic Charleston fire stations: 

Central Station: 262 Meeting Street
Built 1887-88
On August 31, 1886, the city of Charleston was struck by an earthquake. 2,000 buildings were damaged, and between 60 and 100 people were killed. Many fire stations were also damaged, the city built a trio of larger and more strategically located fire stations. The three buildings were each designed by Daniel G. Wayne and built by Colin M. Grant.
The largest of the three was a double "double house" that opened at the corner of Meeting and Wentworth Streets in 1888. Considered the most important station in the city, because of its central location and straight passage from each end of the city, the new station housed four steam engine companies when it opened. 
In 1900, a drill tower was built beside the station. The 70-foot structure was replaced in 1916, and closed in 1935.
Since  1976, Central Station has housed the Fire Chief's Office. It presently houses two engine companies, a Battalion Chief, an Assistant Chief, and several pieces of antique fire apparatus.
The outdoor pavilion, built on the site of an 1846 Artesian well, includes monuments to fallen Charleston firefighters, and the bell from the Cannon Street station watch tower. Mike Legeros photo.

Wentworth Mansion

Wentworth St., Charleston, SC  

It's difficult to imagine that this beautiful hotel used to be an insurance building. Now it is the Wentworth Mansion and has won many awards for luxury inns of its size. I had dinner at the restaurant a couple of years ago and they let me snoop around a bit. You can check out some of the rooms on their web site. It is a beautiful building and I'm happy to see it being well used.

Time for me to get my lazy self out for a walk.

All outta gas!

Abandoned gas station, Wentworth St., Charleston, SC 

Such a sweet little building this abandoned gas station on Wentworth St. It would make a darling cottage, wouldn't it? It's been empty for so long there must be issues with underground tanks that make it prohibitive to restore. That is my guess. I was snooping around the intranets to see if I could find any background information and came across this old picture. I love google!

Looks like we have some rain coming tomorrow, kids. Take your brolly to work.

 

This is one of the busiest weeks of my year. I am hosting my health career summer SCRUBS Camp at work and will be shepherding twenty two young people interested in careers in medicine. Today was their welcome day, tours and CPR certification. It takes a lot of juggling to keep them busy all week. Wish me luck. I had no trouble getting  my 10,000 steps before I left work this afternoon.

 

 

 

Chhchchhhhhh..changes!

King & Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

Every time I walk downtown I spot a change so here is an update from my walk this morning. There is a lot of activity at King and Wentworth. I was confused because the business is Vineyard Vines so I assumed we were going to have a new wine shop but apparently it is a preppy style clothing store. Check them out here: Vineyard Vines.

 

Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar, Charleston, S.C.

New mural spotted on Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar just off East Bay St.

Minero, Charleston, S.C.

Chef Sean Brock's new casual Mexican Restaurant Minero opened on East Bay St. yesterday. Check out the website and menu here. It looks affordable and yummy.

Shades of blue

Smith St., Charleston, S.C.

This is the out building behind the old McCallister's Funeral Home at Wentworth and Smith St. Stables maybe? Or perhaps it was for the hearse. I love the faded blue and the azaleas really perked up the abandoned property.

Teeny, tiny houses of Charleston

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

It might not be that tiny but in comparison to the neighboring houses it counts. It is a sweetie, isn't it? I thought it might be for sale so we could check out photos of the interior but I believe the sign goes with the house on the right.

Delicious, cook weather! I'm not complaining.
 

Engines of Wentworth St.

Wentworth St. Fire Station, Charleston, S.C.

I love that they leave these old treasures in full view for us to enjoy as we walk by. Aren't they great? I happened on this interesting site about Charleston's Fire Stations by Mike Legeros.

It's been a long and busy week, kids. Whew. Home late and I walked up to the Black Bean Company on Savannah Highway for a bite to eat. I love pausing an exercise walk midway for a health meal. They have an outside patio and it hit the spot this evening.

Tweet, tweet Charleston

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

I randomly came on a site that lists recent links and tweets that relate to Charleston. These are recent tweets that mention Charleston:

Tweets

• 68 days until Charleston is my home.
• Charleston girls all the same 
• Can't remember her name but she was flying a plane. When she was there she told them about Charleston 
• Thank you Charleston SC for showing me how much more Charleston WV sucks! #WrongCity back to life back to reality
• Just take me to charleston already....
• Finally in Charleston 
• My summer wardrobe consist of the bare minimum. It's going to be a hottt summer in Charleston.
• Ok it's official, I've only been here for 2 hours but I wanna live in Charleston the rest of my life...
• The next time we will see each other will be in nine weeks, then we start our new life in Charleston SC!!
• I just can't wait to be living in Charleston. It's the only place I feel at home and it's the only place I can think. 
• Can you go back to Charleston
• i hope the novelty of me living back in charleston wears off soon because all of this family time is exhausting (but i love it)

Fresh herbs with that?

Herb garden, Charleston, S.C.

A few snips of fresh herbs can make all the difference to a meal and where better to have them than right out your window? I caught sight of this scene over Frampton's Florist on Wentworth St.

What a storm we had last night! I woke up to pouring rain around 3 a.m. and have to admit I lay there grinning with the realization that I didn't have to worry about driving through downtown flooding to get to work. Aaaah. Some trade offs aren't all bad.

Friday is coming. What movie shall I see?

Abandoned Gas Station

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

This sweet brick gas station on Wentworth St. has been abandoned as long as I remember. Does anyone know more about it? I've never noticed it for sale so there must be a reason but in theory it would make a cute little house. I'd love to see it fixed up and occupied.

Ohhh....I am having a hard time making myself go for my walk lately. I hit my favorite corner of my couch and don't want to budge, but I did it. I marched the King, Meeting, Broad St. loop in the dark. The more you learn, the more getting some exercise seems to be THE most important thing to do to stay healthy and I really enjoy being healthy. I sit on my tail too much of the day clicking away at my keyboard. I have to get out moving fast in the evening to make up for it. 

I stopped by Fish restaurant to return the giant French flag they loaned me to celebrate a French theme day in our hospital cafeteria. It was a big hit! They also gave me the contact info for a wandering accordionist who played French cafe music. Can you picture me trying to fold up this flag to return? Thanks to Randall Goldman and Jodie Battles for making our day so successful.

In other news, how am I supposed to make a black bean burrito with three cans of garbanzo beans and no black beans? What kind of a kitchen am I running around here. A pretty poor one.

The Hanging Gardens of Wentworth St.

Hanging Gardens, Wentworth St., Charleston. S.C.

Aren't these grand?  They have some major veggies growing in their front yard right in town.This looks like a delicious salad in the making. I like these people.

Big Bird Crew, Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

Speaking of Wentworth St., do you know who built the sidewalks? The Big Bird Crew, that is who!

Pizza not girls, duh

Andolini's Pizza, Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

When my kids were in high school they spent so much time at Ann Delinni's that I briefly assumed she was the most popular gal in town.

Andolini's Pizza.

Duh.

Wentworth St. walk

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

My brother Jim is visiting Charleston and while I am at work he has been scraping and painting my old house. In the evenings we grab a bit to eat. Sesame first, on the way to leave my paycheck at Lowes in trade for paint, Thai food on Monday, the new Patat Spot on George St. and today ribs at Sticky Fingers. Yum. I think I'll put the scales away for this visit.

After dinner this evening I walked on to Harris Teeter and back on Wentworth St. past the fire station. I love peaking in on the old engines on display. Turning the corner, the fire engine had pulled up on King St. while the gentleman made their regular yogurt ice cream run.

There is a haze all over Charleston and the smell of smoke but I understand it is from the fires in Georgia and nothing local at all.

Places to Stay - Wentworth Mansion

Wentworth Mansion, Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

I get quite a few emails from people wondering where they should stay, eat, see in Charleston. Here is a treat for the big splurge! This is the Wentworth Mansion which I believe used to be an insurance company building. Check out the rooms in this link.

Living the good life doesn't come cheap and it looks like the average price is $350 a night so my family can't count on me putting them up there, but I definitely think you should treat yourself to a night and invite me over for tea.

Paper Dresses

Mary Porter, House of Couture, Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

Paper - it's completely made of paper! I believe the dress was done as a window display during the Spoleto Festival. I'm glad they left it in the window of the Mary Porter House of Couture shop on Wentworth St. It is amazing.

Hay!

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

Hay! Here is a little gift for you - a link to the annual "What the Hay!" contest between Hobson and Utica, Montana. Apparently the Bale Trail is the biggest attraction in Montana.

People are just too funny. Thank God. Now I want a couple bales of hay.

Thanks for all the suggestions of places Kristi should see on her honeymoon in Charleston. I think we did pretty good. Feel free to add more.