Greetings from the swamp!

Audubon Swamp Walk, Charleston, SC 

I intended to walk through the gardens and catch the camellia blossoms but drove up to a full parking lot and discovered I was there on Pirates & Mermaids day. Yikes! I made a quick turn and wandered through the swamp instead. 

College campus walking

The Cistern, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 

Strolling through the College of Charleston campus is a pretty walk at any time of year. These photos are actually from last weekend. I have some catching up to do!

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance: St. Matthew's Lutheran

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, King St., Charleston, SC 

We've featured this church scene before but the camelias in bloom caught my eye yesterday. This is St. Matthew's Lutheran on King St.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, founded in 1840 by a group of Germans who wished to worship in their native language, quickly outgrew its original building at Hasell and Anson Streets in Charleston. 

The congregation moved into its current building in 1872.  The small congregation could never have envisioned its growth to become South Carolina's largest Lutheran church at the beginning of the 21st century. 

From the beginning until today, St. Matthew's has reached out to meet and serve the needs of others in our local community and throughout the world, as ordained by God.
The congregation moved into its current building in 1872.  The small congregation could never have envisioned its growth to become South Carolina's largest Lutheran church at the beginning of the 21st century. From the beginning until today, St. Matthew's has reached out to meet and serve the needs of others in our local community and throughout the world, as ordained by God.

The big apple!

College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 

It took me awhile to realize it was carved as a map of the globe. The project was created to bring attention to global food security. #everyoneeats.

Make America Kind Again

Sidewalk Graffiti, Charleston, SC 

Make America Kind Again. Don't get me wrong. I see kindness every day but I'm always happy to see more. Carry on! 

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.

Cypress Gardens

Cypress Gardens, SC

Cypress Gardens was closed for a long time after hurricane damage and I hadn't been back since it opened. Yesterday was the perfect day for it. Following all of the side trails gave me a good walk in the woods. I find myself fascinated with cypress knees lately and where better to find them than Cypress Gardens? They made for some fun photo ops.

Charleston Doors at Christmas

Queen St. Charleston, SC 

 Festive Charleston doors at Christmas time. Queen St. 

Charleston at Christmas

Charleston at Christmas, Queen St., Charleston, SC

It has been a busy stretch and I have a back log of pictures. It is often easier to quickly post a few to facebook and the blog gets neglected. 

I have been busy, I broke my toe which took a full six week (allowed by medical text books) to heal. My daughter visited for Thanksgiving. I've celebrated hospital volunteers in four different hospitals. Lots going on. We anticipate twenty four hours of rain and storms on the east coast so a little enforced laziness is welcome! 

These shots are from a recent walk down Queen St. to see the holiday decor. 

Folly Beach Walking

Folly Beach, Christmas

Love the beach but hate the traffic so I tend to do my beach walking in the winter and it always pays off. It was windy yesterday morning but not unpleasant and I had a nice walk. I am always pleased to see that they have managed to keep color and character at the beach!

Cypress knees marching to shore

Colleton St. Park, SC 

The cypress knees looking like they were invading from the river. "Onward men, we can take this park!"

Step right up!

Hampton Park, Charleston, SC

When people ask if they need to move out of my shot, I tend to day, "Step right in! Improve it!" and in this case they did!

This is the most colorful fall we have had in years. It really is a treat.

Swamp Walking

Audubon Swamp, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC

"In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

― John Muir

Chinese Lantern Festival - Charleston

Chinese Lantern Festival, Charleston, SC 

We were foiled on our first attempt to get to the Chinese Lantern festival by rain showers but we ended up having a perfect night for it this evening. Everything was perfect. We had a bite to eat at my house and headed that way. I'd had a sneak preview watching some of the workman creating the designs so it was a treat to see them lit and on display.