McClellanville, S.C.

McClellanville, S.C.

An hour up the coast McClellanville is a sweet oak tree shaded marsh front village. I loved it. I paid my $3 and walked through the museum, checked out the few artsy shops on Pinckney St., the Dear Head Oak tree, peeked in the Chapel of Ease and walked through the cemetery. More information here. I definitely need to marry someone in McClellanville and live happily every after, doncha think?

This little piggie

Tradd St., Charleston, S.C.

This little piggie looks like he is ready to nibble on the greenery. These folks on Tradd St. always have a lovely window display.

In other news, I bought a rowing machine. Gulp. I've never been an "indoor" exerciser but as it starts to get dark earlier, if I let myself crash after work it is pitch dark by the time I am ready to go out marching. So, we shall see. Will I, or won't I? I've rowed for half an hour three evenings in a row. Hopefully I can keep it up. I will expect to win every arm wrestling challenge in a couple of weeks.

Three reasons to come to Charleston

Conde Nast Traveler readers have again voted us the best city in America—here's the video the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau produced (featuring American Idol alum Elise Testone) to secure our bragging rights. Thanks to Charleston Grit!

Through the ages

SCRUBS "U" Surgical Careers

It's been a busy couple of days, kids. From recognition of senior volunteers at the Charleston Rifle Club yesterday at lunch, listening to Lieutenant Governor Glen McConnell talk about Aging in Place in the Lowcountry at Charleston Landing in the evening, to hosting thirty teenagers interested in surgical careers in the Operating Room at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital tonight. I think I might sleep well.

PS: That is just a piece of roast beef. I promise! We like the students to feel what it is like to cut and cauterize flesh.

Retired volunteers who sew and knit at home, Charleston Rifle Club

Celebrating Aging in Place event, Charlestown Landing, Charleston, S.C.

In honor of a favorite

Brick inscription, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Someone liked their dog well enough to pay for a brick inscription. The same person liked their whiskey enough to name their dog after it. I found a row of pet inscriptions on King St. The streets were closed to traffic on Sunday so I could actually look down without getting run over.

I'm not saying I made the best potato soup in the world this evening but it was darned good and I am full. Yum.

Here are some palmetto roses for you nice folks. Enjoy! I gave him all the change I had left to take the photo since I didn't actually want a rose. 

Second Sunday on King St.

Second Sunday, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I hope business owners are reaping the benefits of Second Sunday on King St. because it was jammed packed! I haven't walked through during the actual event for quite awhile and I was amazed. It was a hustle and bustle of activity.

I laugh at myself because I catch myself dodging crowds on a busy sidewalk when the whole point of the event is that automobiles are blocked so you are free to walk in the street. There were so many dogs on display by proud owners it could have been promoted as a dog walking event. Lots of sidewalk dining since the weather is heavenly at the moment and some great street musicians.

Sunset in Georgetown

Sunset in Georgetown, S.C.

I accompanied my friend Andre' up the coast to Georgetown, S.C. yesterday. I met him in the parking lot of St. Thomas Church in North Charleston where he was finishing a wedding ceremony and we hit the road to get him to Georgetown in time to say the blessing at the reception of his friend Kiah and new bride Jessica.

We arrived in time to be welcomed by this gorgeous sunset. Wow. The reception was held at the bride's family's home overlooking the waterfront. The entire setting was too beautiful for words. Cheers to the happy couple!

 

 

My talented family

My new cheeseboard

I am being lazy and need to get out walking. Before I do, I wanted to share this picture of the new cheese board I got in the mail. Cool, eh? Hand made by my nephew Caleb Perry who is a talented woodworker. He has been trying his hand at a few items and family members have been the lucky recipients. I will use this! Thanks Caleb.

West Ashley Produce Shed

Wappoo Rd., Charleston, S.C.

For some reason the produce shed was a landmark people, including me, had affection for. We had no investment in it, didn't know who owned it, never chipped in to deserve to have an opinion about what should be done with it but that didn't stop us. To the right of the property is a lush green bike-way trail that ends up on my street. I had fantasies that the property might make a good Farmer's Market for our area and I could skip through the woods to a weekend morning treat.

That all ended when the building was half demolished. Sadness. The more you see of it, there doesn't appear to be much historic or valuable about the building but we liked it. Darn it.

West Ashley’s Dupont produce shed ruled not historic; could be demolished

Robert Behre

The partially demolished produce shed at Savannah Highway and Wappoo Road could vanish if a deal doesn’t ripen soon.

Preservationists — many of whom hope to turn the large shed into a farmers market and community gathering spot — had blocked a demolition permit in August, shortly after a crew began knocking it down.

Their efforts delayed the permit only until Charleston County’s Board of Zoning Appeals could decide if it had enough historic significance to require a special exception. The board voted unanimously Monday that it did not.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said Tuesday the city still wants to find a way to preserve the shed, an open-air structure that spans more than a football field next to the city’s West Ashley Bikeway.

Teeny, tiny houses of Charleston

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

I need to get to my bed, kids, but here is a quick shot of one of Charleston's teeny, tiny houses. A tall person might be able to lay on the floor if he was careful about the direction. Cute! If I recall correctly this one used to be painted orange but I can't lay my hands on the before shot at the moment.

I've survived three days of efficiency training and statistics. Now, let's hope I passed that 8o item test at the end of the day. No promises there.

G'night folks!

Relishing lunch at Relish - Culinary Institute of Charleston

Tagine chicken, Relish, TTC, North Charleston

The best part of my all-day meeting at Trident Technical College today was enjoying lunch at the Culinary Institute of Charleston's restaurant Relish. Oh yum! What a great deal. Three courses with choices for $12. It was like a restaurant week deal for an even better price. Today was an International menu day which alternates with an American cuisine menu. Check the menu here.

Lunch is served at 12 and 12:15 and dinner at 6:30 p.m. They prefer you to make reservations on Open Table or by emailing Relish@tridenttech.edu. Luckily I was able to squeeze in :). Thanks folks!

Vegetable Tempura, Relish, TTC, North Charleston, S.C.

Charleston Alleyways

Longitude Lane, Charleston, S.C.

I am waiting on a chicken pot pie in the oven since my son is having dinner with me this evening. Smells pretty darned good in here.

This evening's photo is of one of Charleston's quaint little lanes. My shot is pretty, no? Now take a look at the same lane though the lens of professional photographer Doug Hickok. Wowza! Gorgeous.

Anniversary Brick

George St., Charleston, S.C.

Awwww. Isn't this sweet?

I'm still trying to figure out how they did it. There are no other inscribed bricks in this area. The bricks here were laid before 2012. Did they pay enough to have a brick removed to put theirs in? It matches perfectly. Inquisitive minds want to know and to with them a happy anniversary.

Edit: I found out more about them. Long time College of Charleston connection. 

Stop in For a Spell

Halloween, Charleston, S.C.

Here are a few more fun Halloween shots from my walk yesterday morning. These folks should get a break on their property taxes for all the pleasure they give people walking by. I even found a bit of Halloween related sidewalk graffiti.

Now, where shall I walk this morning? It's already getting dark earlier in the evening and hard to grab that window to get outside and walk on workday evenings so I try to make the most of my weekends. I've been trying to decide if I can bear exercising indoors and browsing rowing machines online. What do you think?  Will I use one or leave it to gather dust like so many exercise machines do?

 

Lamboll St. Sweets

Lamboll St., Charleston, S.C.

Look at this little flock with baby chicks! I spotted them in a yard on Lamboll St. and couldn't quite believe my eyes. The gate was wide open and they were quite at home.

Boo Charleston! Boo!

Tradd & Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

Thanks to the owner of this house at Tradd and Meeting St. for taking the trouble to entertain us all during holiday by decorating her house. I've featured this house before at Christmas time. Fun! This time she put a witch hat on the peak of the house. No easy job that.

Below - someone always has to play the drama queen!

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.

Secret Gardens

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

One of my favorite things about walking on the Charleston peninsula is sneaking peeks at all of the beautiful gardens behind the gates. In this case the gate is part of the attraction.  Sweet.

It's Wednesday, kids. Hang on.

Angel Oaks Campaign - Save the Long Limbed Gal!

Angel Oak, Johns Island, S.C.

Situated at a community crossroads in the heart of Johns Island, this publicly accessible park will provide an opportunity for visitors to gather, learn and celebrate the region's cultural and natural history. Protecting the property will enhance and extend the existing parkland, with the potential to create a more functional multi-use park experience for visitors, allowing them to explore a forest park while just steps away from the property's namesake attraction. The park will create an additional layer of connectivity - between the existing Angel Oak Park and the adjacent school - providing students with an easily accessible experiential learning opportunity unparalleled in Charleston County. - See more at: http://www.lolt.org/community-initiatives/angel-oak-preserve.html#sthash.vEWZR9uA.dpuf

Situated at a community crossroads in the heart of Johns Island, this publicly accessible park will provide an opportunity for visitors to gather, learn and celebrate the region's cultural and natural history. Protecting the property will enhance and extend the existing parkland, with the potential to create a more functional multi-use park experience for visitors, allowing them to explore a forest park while just steps away from the property's namesake attraction. The park will create an additional layer of connectivity - between the existing Angel Oak Park and the adjacent school - providing students with an easily accessible experiential learning opportunity unparalleled in Charleston County. - See more at: http://www.lolt.org/community-initiatives/angel-oak-preserve.html#sthash.vEWZR9uA.dpuf

 Reuters Covers Angel Oak Campaign

Harriet McLoed of Reuters wrote in her article, South Carolinians raising millions to protect centuries-old Angel Oak: “A group trying to preserve the centuries-old Angel Oak near Charleston, South Carolina, is racing against a fall deadline to raise the $3.6 million needed to protect surrounding land from development that environmentalists contend would harm the tree.” The article describe the Angel Oak’s huge size, the money raised to date, the tree’s age and historical significance and how the effort to protect the tree began. “Hagood said the land trust also hoped to conserve another 17 acres that the bank has optioned to a new developer but has not yet begun raising money for that effort. The trust’s planned Angel Oak Preserve would be a forested park and site of educational programs, she said.”

 

Here is the Open Land Trust information on the fundraising campaign. Nearly $700,000 has been raised already and the deadline has been extended. I am off to do more research about this old long limbed gal and what the Open Land Trust folks have in mind. You might too!

ituated at a community crossroads in the heart of Johns Island, this publicly accessible park will provide an opportunity for visitors to gather, learn and celebrate the region's cultural and natural history. Protecting the property will enhance and extend the existing parkland, with the potential to create a more functional multi-use park experience for visitors, allowing them to explore a forest park while just steps away from the property's namesake attraction. The park will create an additional layer of connectivity - between the existing Angel Oak Park and the adjacent school - providing students with an easily accessible experiential learning opportunity unparalleled in Charleston County. - See more at: http://www.lolt.org/community-initiatives/angel-oak-preserve.html#sthash.vEWZR9uA.dpuf

Situated at a community crossroads in the heart of Johns Island, this publicly accessible park will provide an opportunity for visitors to gather, learn and celebrate the region's cultural and natural history. Protecting the property will enhance and extend the existing parkland, with the potential to create a more functional multi-use park experience for visitors, allowing them to explore a forest park while just steps away from the property's namesake attraction. The park will create an additional layer of connectivity - between the existing Angel Oak Park and the adjacent school - providing students with an easily accessible experiential learning opportunity unparalleled in Charleston County. - See more at: http://www.lolt.org/community-initiatives/angel-oak-preserve.html#sthash.vEWZR9uA.dpuf

Situated at a community crossroads in the heart of Johns Island, this publicly accessible park will provide an opportunity for visitors to gather, learn and celebrate the region's cultural and natural history. Protecting the property will enhance and extend the existing parkland, with the potential to create a more functional multi-use park experience for visitors, allowing them to explore a forest park while just steps away from the property's namesake attraction. The park will create an additional layer of connectivity - between the existing Angel Oak Park and the adjacent school - providing students with an easily accessible experiential learning opportunity unparalleled in Charleston County. - See more at: http://www.lolt.org/community-initiatives/angel-oak-preserve.html#sthash.vEWZR9uA.dpuf