Day 23 – (05/25) Charleston, SC (Day 2)

Weather – The temperature reached the mid-90s.  It was mostly sunny with a light breeze.  It’s still really hot.

This was a touring day.  We took a 10am Gray Line tour of the city, a cruise to Fort Sumter, and then toured the Joseph Manigault House across from the Charleston Museum.

City Tour

This was our first Gray Line tour.  It was well worth the cost.  We travelled throughout the city seeing all kinds of sights: churches, mansions, The Citadel, Hampton Park, marinas, College of Charleston, etc.  Gray Line provided the “transportation glue” to tie three tours into a seamless event.

Charleston Bay

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge across Charleston Bay
(It cost 1/2 billion $)

USS Yorktown (CV-10)

Carnival Fantasy

The waterfront

Fort Sumter

The shots that started the Civil War were fired here on April 12, 1861.  The multi-tiered work of 1861 was reduced largely to rubble during the Civil War.

Approaching the fort

Five flags in the foreground flew over the fort

Carol was looking for the powder room and found the powder magazine.  Oops!

Inside the powder magazine

The fort - before and after

Casemate (gunroom)

Our ride back takes 30 minutes

Casemates

Replica of H.L. Hunley submarine
(outside Charleston Museum)

Joseph Manigault House

Joseph Manigault, the original inhabitant of the house, amassed his wealth from plantations and was a representative in South Carolina's state legislature. The National Historic Monument was completed in 1803.  The house had no running water and no kitchen.  Pictures from inside:  

Dining Room

Main entrance.   Staircase is cantilever and self-supporting. 

Main entertaining room

Ceiling decoration

Campground

The Oak Plantation Campground is one of the best of the trip.  The setting among tall oaks is peaceful and tastefully done.  Their services are excellent.

Oak Plantation Campground

Site N5

We've had a great stay here.  We head for Columbia and Charlotte tomorrow.