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| Trinity Episcopal Church, Edisto Island, S.C |
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| Seashell decorations at Botany Beach, Edisto, S.C. |
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| State St., Charleston, S.C. |
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| Charleston Gates, Charleston, S.C. |
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| Charleston, S.C. |
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| Pink House, Chalmers St., Charleston, S.C. |
The distinctive little pink building at 17 Chalmers Street is said to be the oldest standing tavern building in the South. Built within the walled city of Charles Towne in the mid 1690s by John Breton, this oldest stone house in the city was constructed of 'Bermuda stone'. The West Indian coral stone had a natural pink cast, so the building was known as the Pink House from the beginning. Tradition holds that the Bermuda stone was brought in ships as ballast, as the cobblestones on Chalmers Street were, but it is more likely that it was cut in Bermuda and imported as a building material. The stone is soft enough to be cut into blocks and then when exposed to weather, it gradually hardens and becomes stronger. Its elasticity was proved in the great earthquake on 1886 when nearby brick structures suffered damage. The tiled roof is original terra cotta tile of an ancient vintage. The curved shape of the tiles was said to be formed over the workmen's thighs. The Pink House also was one of the few buildings in Charleston to survive 1989's Hurricane Hugo virutally unscathed.
In the building's early days, as a 'groggerie' and coffee house for sailors visiting the port from all over the world, this area was a red light district called Mulatto Alley and the street was lined with many small houses, most of which were bordellos. The Pink House was not a fashionable bistro for Charleston gentry, but rather a simple tavern, where the seamen found their 'three Ws'......whiskey, wenches, and wittles. Around 1800 the area was cleaned up after many citizens petitioned the City Council. Thomas Elfe, the famous furniture maker, wrote a letter complaining about the noisy parties at night.
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| Richard Neapolitan with his hand carved cane, Charleston, S.C. |
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| St. Philip's Church, Charleston, S.C. |
A Fine Sermon: A man went to church one day and afterward he stopped to shake the preacher's hand. He said, "Preacher, I'll tell you, that was a damned fine sermon. Damned good!"
The preacher said, "Thank you sir, but I'd rather you didn't use profanity."
The man said, "I was so damned impressed with that sermon I put five thousand dollars in the offering plate!"
The preacher said, "No sh*t!"
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| Old Country Store, Hwy 176, S.C. |
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| Korean War Memorial, Washington, D.C. |
Designed by Frank Gaylord and dedicated on July 27, 1995 by American President Bill Clinton and South Korean President Kim Young Sam, this memorial depicts 19 American soldiers making their way through the rough terrain of Korea.
Almost surreal in appearance, especially in the shadows of dusk, the lifelike statues stand about 7 feet tall (2m) and represent various branches of the armed forces including 14 Army personnel, 3 Marines, 1 member of the Navy, and 1 member of the Air Force. These detailed sculptures also represent an ethnic cross section of the American melting pot. Visitors will count 14 Caucasians, 3 African-Americas, 2 Hispanics, 1 Oriental, and 1 Native American soldier.
From certain angles, it's nearly impossible to see all 19 statues as 3 of them are in the trees, giving the appearance of troops emerging from Korea's vast wooded areas. Strategically planted juniper bushes represent the country's sometimes unforgiving terrain. The statues, made of stainless steel, wear authentic Korean War-era gear and the sculptor has given them motion by designing them to appear as if they're walking into the wind. They also seem to be talking with one another as they march into battle.
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| Washington, D. C. |
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| Burbages, Charleston, S.C. |
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| Lowcountry Senior Sun |
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| St. John's Lutheran Church, Charleston, S.C. |
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| Unitarian Cemetery, Charleston, S.C. |
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| Charleston, S.C. |
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| Muffler Man, Holly Hill, S.C. |
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| Whidbey Island |
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| Rare sighting of a kayak family in the wild, Orcas Island |
Sucia Island Kayak Trip: Outer Island will shuttle kayakers to Sucia Island via power boat. On the trip over we will stop by prime wildlife viewing locations and explore some of Sucia's natural history. You and your kayak guide will be dropped off at Sucia Island, a small pristine island located 3 miles off the North shore of Orcas. After a brief kayaking lesson you will hop in your kayak for a 2 to 3 hour paddle which includes a lunch stop at a remote beach. You will then be shuttled back to Orcas by power boat.
Sucia is only accessible by private boat. Its remote and undeveloped character make it a haven for wildlife and its large protected bays, make it a wonderful setting for any kayaker, novice or advanced. Sucia has caves, fossil beds, spectacular sand stone formations and a wide variety of wildlife. One can encounter bald eagles, osprey, river otters, harbor seals, sea lions, porpoise and the occasional transient orca whale.
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| Kangaroo Bed & Breakfast, Orcas Island |
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| My bed with the red velvet drapes ;) |
