Walk for Water - Charleston 2017

RSF River Rats Team, Walk for Water 2017, Charleston, SC 

I have a special interest in the work of Water Missions International because who can't get behind the idea of clean drinking water? We can prevent so many diseases if we have pure water to drink and although we take it for granted it is a daily struggle in so many parts of the world. Years ago the hospital I work with sponsored a water purification system for a small hospital and community in Kenya and I was able to go to photograph the commissioning ceremony and see first hand the difference it made.

Each year I try to support the Walk for Water here in Charleston. Symbolically water buckets are provided which are filled with water halfway through the walk. Many thanks to Lauren Smith for leading our team efforts for Roper St. Francis Healthcare and to all of our teammates who walked this morning. They said over 5,000 people participated and the traffic fiasco led me to believe that was true! Well done folks!

Dragon Boat Charleston

Dragon Boat Charleston, S.C.

Ha! This picture cracks me up. The fellow in the green shirt looks like he is asking the bear what he thinks he is doing. He is lucky it was a relatively cool day.

I walked through the happy chaos of Dragon Boat Charleston this morning and tried to get shots of some of my friends and co-workers teams. These gentlemen were a happy addition as they answered the age old question about what men do wear under their kilts!  Lots of fun for a good cause.

Swing with a view

Playground, Brittlebank Park, Charleston, S.C.

You could swing for hours here overlooking the Ashley River and for a few minutes I caught it without children on it. I helped build this playground many years ago with Dr. Rick Reed. It is a park partially designed so kids in wheelchairs can play along and it has elevated ramps for wheelchairs.

The playground looks like it is holding up pretty well. I didn't want to scare parents by taking pictures of the rest of the play area with the kiddies playing. Carry on children. Crazy camera lady has moved on.

Chucktown Showdown - Ashley River

Chucktown Showdown, Ashley River, Charleston, S.C.

I directed my morning walk to the Ashley River bridge this morning to catch the beginning of the paddleboard Chucktown Showdown race.  When David Quick from the Post & Courier zipped up on his bike at the last moment, I knew I had chosen my location well.

I am always blown away by the distance of the race. The elite group left Brittlebank Park, passed the Battery, circled Castle Pinckney and back over a course of 8.5 miles. The recreational group had a shorter course but even that is 4 miles. Yikes. These folks must have some strong arm muscles.

The gentleman in the top photo may have been paddling in the last of the group but his passenger appeared to be having a very good morning. 
 

Dragon Boat Charleston

Dragon Boat Charleston, Charleston, S.C.

It wasn't the very best day for Dragon Boat racing on the Ashley river but that didn't seem to hamper the festivities at Brittlebank Park today. So many of our hospital units had teams participating I went by this morning to grab a few photos. The gang above is one of the best ICU staffs you will hope to never need, but if you do, they will take good care of you. Our Operating Room staff paddled in honor of Della, below. Della was one of their co-workers who passed away unexpectedly last year. Good fun for a good cause.