Charleston

June 6 and 7

We have been in Charleston, South Carolina for the past two days. It is very similar to Savannah in that it is seeped in history of the Civil War and Independence battles. We took a narrated horse carriage ride through the city, had a harbour tour and visited The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. We enjoyed all these and took a lot of pictures of historic homes. Unfortunately the magnolia trees are not in bloom this time of year but you can still really smell them. Charleston downtown market is very interesting as it is where they actually sold slaves. Though the black and white people seem to get along just fine now our tour guide told us that when he went to school there was still segregation and it was only stopped in 1973! Wow I thought it would have ended a long time before that. Charleston people sure don’t like Lincoln either. I will have to read up on American history. Unfortunately I don’t know much about the wars down here except that the South wanted slavery and the North didn’t. Sorry Bruce M but I must admit that I thought Savannah was much nicer and more genteel than Charleston. Next time you are down here you will have to go visit Savannah and see the difference. Charleston had a lot destroyed during the wars and I guess that is why there is old and new mixed buildings. Whereas Savannah has kept a lot of the city in a restored manner and is just like it was back in the 1700 and 1800’s.

Charleston

Charleston

Charleston Harbour Cruise

Charleston

Magnolia Plantation

Huntington Beach

Moved on to Huntington Beach today. Probably our last beach day for a while. The magnolia trees and swamps are gone and now there are many mixed pines and firs and other types of vegetation. Windy here today too and that feels soooooo good. Gives us a little relief from the heat.We are heading North and inland tomorrow. Off towards Washington DC.