Learning the Charleston

November 10 – 16, 2014

Heading along the coast brought us to the Charleston South Carolina area so we decided to spend a week.

We didn’t learn to do the Charleston but it was named after this city. It became popular in the United States in 1923 but Charleston city was founded in 1670 as Charles Towne in honor of King Charles II of England. In 1783 the name was changed to Charleston.

It became quite the area for trade for the southern colonies. Charleston was also the wealthiest and largest city south of Philadelphia. It still has some pretty wealthy residents.

We took a tour via carriage to get a feel for the history and the wonderful architecture. Our tour guide was fun to listen to and pointed out the buildings that have been around since the late 1700s.

Our Transportation

Classic

Vintage Beautiful

One Old Door 

Preserving History

The Sword Gate

 

We toured the harbor as well and got to see Fort Sumter, Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, and even the Yorktown. Not sure if I mentioned in earlier writings but Fort Sumter is pretty much known as the place the Civil War began.

Mount Pleasant Beach House

 

Going for Bait Fish

Heading off to Sail

 

South Carolina had seceded from the Union, yet Union forces still occupied the fort. The South wanted the Union to vacate and they refused, so on April 12, 1861, South Carolina Confederate troops from Fort Johnson fired on the fort and as they say “the rest is history”.

 

Fort Sumter

Patriots Point is the home of the USS Yorktown (CVS-10) which now serves as a museum. The ship was named after the Battle of Yorktown of the American Revolutionary War. Building began on December 1, 1941 and launched in January 1943.

 

 

We enjoyed the harbor tour and as we were heading back to the dock you get to go under the bridge that takes you over the Ashley River. We crossed this bridge to get to the RV park we were staying at and were pretty amazed at its design.

The Stick Farm

Bridging the Gap

 

We enjoyed checking out some of the local places folks told us about one of which was Folly Beach on James Island. We were there on Veteran’s Day so I am guessing it was a bit busier than it normally would have been. Dogs are not allowed on the beach during the summer so Izzy lucked out and enjoyed running around and chasing sticks.

 

 

 

The other place we explored was the Caw Caw interpretive center.  

This area was once thriving with rice fields. African slaves brought knowledge of rice cultivation which plantation owners cultivated and developed.  

 

Cypress in the Swamp

Enjoying the Day

Nature's Art

Rice Field Remnants

Still Water

As you hike on the trails you encounter tea plants which were once planted here in the early 1900s to try and become a commercial tea growing area. It didn’t last long and today the only commercially grown tea in the United States is grown on Wadmalaw Island South Carolina.  

 Tea Anyone?

We were also told about an oak that was close to where we were staying that you must see. We found the Angel Oak Park and walked around. We have to admit that it is one big Southern live oak tree. Not to mention it is estimated to be at least 400 and possibly 1400 years old.

 

A bit gnarly

Expansive



 

We did manage to find a nice golf course to get some more exercise while we were in the area. The course was beautiful and our golf wasn’t horrible!

Now If I Can Keep it Straight

Putting Hopeful

 

Izzy had fun too since there was a nature trail at the RV park so she could get out and sniff to her heart’s content. It is a good thing she didn’t want to go swimming though as I think these ducks probably would have chased her out of their ponds.

 

 

We will hit the road from here and work our way down to Florida so check back in a week or so and find out what else we are up to. Until then TTFN!

 

Floundering In Myrtle Beach

November 5 – 9, 2014

We continued to spend a few more days in the Palmetto State enjoying the sandy beach found in Myrtle Beach.

According to the history of the area the Waccamaw Tribe called it home. They used the river for travel and fished along the shore around Little River.

Settlements in this area did occur and the early settlers had great success in producing indigo and tobacco but didn’t have much luck in extending the plantation system which was their first goal.

The statistics indicate Myrtle Beach gets 14 million visitors annually. I am glad we didn’t decide to check this place out in summer. It would have been a bit crowded and Izzy couldn’t have enjoyed the beach.

Horses to High Rises

 

We spent a few nights at the Myrtle Beach State Park which provided us with a short walk to the beach and a fishing pier. Izzy enjoyed sniffing the entire campground, beach, and hiking trails.

A Little Fall Color Along the Trail

Spreading Out

 

Our camping spot was located close to one of their cabins and one morning when Izzy and I were out walking we came across a spider web you just couldn’t ignore. We found an interesting looking spider at home in the web. Needless to say we didn’t disturb it as it appeared it just might when the battle.

Hanging Out

Hi There Said the Spider

 

We checked out the fishing pier the day we arrived and spoke with a local who had been fishing since 0900. It was about 4:00 in the afternoon and he had already caught one flounder and hooked one while we were talking with him. He was able to keep it as well so guess what they were having for dinner!

Serenity

Since we enjoy flounder Steve headed to the local bait store to obtain the magic bait that should provide success for us as we were going to fish the next day.

We headed to the pier in the morning with the hope to catch some fish. The sun was out but the wind was blowing pretty steady so you couldn’t enjoy basking in the warmth, but heck we were outside enjoying the surroundings and fishing!

 

I caught a small pompano fairly early on so maybe we just might get lucky and get a flounder. In between casting and checking the bait, we watched quite a few folks riding their horses on the beach. They don’t allow horses or dogs on the beach earlier in the year but after Labor Day they show up in droves. Who could blame them as it is a beautiful beach.

  

Steve fished next to the gentleman (Curt) we spoke to the day before and learned a bit more about the areas’ fishing spots. As we looked up and down the pier the fishing action was pretty slow until Curt managed to catch a pretty nice sized black drum. Funny how the fish went to his bait and not ours. We did get some nibbles but nothing to reel up. Oh well that’s what fishing is all about.

Fishing and Gabbing

 

We had fun our few days here and took advantage of the hiking trails in the park as well as the beach. There were a few brave folks out in the water without wet suits. I wonder if they do the Polar Bear challenge?

I checked on the spider the morning we were heading to our next spot as the cabin had been rented for a couple of nights. Certainly it would get nervous and go hide but it didn’t. I guess when you look mean you don’t get nervous!

Well next time you hear from us we will be learning all about Charleston. Talk with you all soon!

 

History Lesson from the Outer Banks of North Carolina

October 24 – November 4, 2014

We spent almost two weeks in North Carolina with most of the time spent in the Outer Banks (OBX). Our temporary home was a nice small RV park along the Currituck Sound in the town of Kill Devil Hills.

It was a great spot for Izzy since she could chase her floppy right outside our door. It also gave us some beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Izzy and My View One Morning

Sunrise Out Our Door

Next To Our Spot

 

We focused on learning what the area was all about as well as checking into the potential to fish. There are several islands that make up the outer banks and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It was not very crowded this time of year but it is pretty obvious the beaches would be swamped during their peak season.

Walking the Beach

Close to us was the spot where the first motorized flight took place. Do you remember when that happened? It was on December 17, 1903 at 10:35 AM. Orville Wright was lying prone with the controls in his hands. Wilbur and Orville were successful in completing four flights at this location with each one going a little farther.

 

Replica of the Plane

 

The National Park Service maintains this National Monument which contains a museum, markers of where the flights took off from and ended, replica of their hanger and cabin, a monument, and sculptures of the folks involved and airplane. Well worth a visit if you are ever near here.

Markers Where Each Flight Ended

Wright Brothers' Cabin and Office

They picked this spot due to the sand dunes, height of a hill, and winds. They needed the wind to help test their gliders and theory, which gave them the ability to make adjustments in the airplane. They wanted the sand so the landing would be cushioned and they wanted nice weather.

 

The view from the monument which was constructed in 1928 gives you a great view of the area they used. The sculpture is pretty cool too and the statues include the men from the ocean rescue station that were helping with the flights.

 

View From The Monument

Recognizing History and Achievement

Orville Ready for Take-Off

Wonderful

Enjoying the Day

This was our first history lesson. The next one came when we went to Roanoke Island and visited Fort Raleigh. Before I tell you about this I need to refresh your memory about something we also learned on our journey.

Remember we told you about the first permanent settlement in Jamestown when 104 English men and boys landed there on May 13, 1607. We also told you about the Pilgrims’ first landing in America in Provincetown Harbor on November 21, 1620 after 67 days at sea. Well would you believe there were some English dudes arriving in North America in 1584 and some 600 people arrived on Roanoke Island.

Well guess what happened back then? This site became known as the Lost Colony. According to the information Roanoke Island has been the scene of historical dramas spanning over three centuries and between 1584 and 1587 England took its first steps toward settling North America, making three voyages of exploration and settlement to the island.

1584 was the year of reconnaissance by Sir Walter Raleigh with his venture focused on finding a suitable place for settlement and to counter Spanish domination in the New World. In July he arrived and met the natives who made them feel welcome. After several weeks the English departed taking with them two Algonquians, Manteo and Wanchese natives.

1585 was the year 600 people sailed to Roanoke Island with the hope to occupy the island for England, find precious metals, and establish a base from which to raid Spanish ships. Things didn’t go quite as expected so all but 15 men left to head back to England.

 





1587 was the year when a true colony was the goal for England but not on Roanoke Island. This “Citie of Ralegh,” led by John White (artist), was supposed to be on the Chesapeake Bay. However in July, the 117 colonists stopped at Roanoke Island to search for the 15 men left behind. They were not successful in finding them and White’s pilot refused to take them any farther. So they stayed and repaired the fort.

Entrance

 

Earthen Fort

Remnants

 

Things didn’t go well with the natives as they had been attacked previously so they decided to kill a colonist as they were fearful of these people now. The colonists retaliated attacking a nearby Indian village, killing a villager before learning they were friendly.

White decided to head back to England to get more supplies and return as quickly as possible. The colonists told him they would leave a message if they decided to leave Roanoke Island so he could find them upon his return.

White was not able to return until 1590 and the settlement was silent with the only letters CROATOAN carved on a post. White tried to get to Croatoan Island but a hurricane prevented him and he was forced to return to England. No one knows what happened to the colonists. Archeologists have not been able to find any trace of where they went or what fate might have befallen them. What do you think?

 

Hanging Out in Shallowbag Bay

Now that you have been exposed to part of the history of the Outer Banks I am going to shift gears. We decided to check out the Bodie Lighthouse and a nice little marina. If you are into searching out lighthouses you can find quite a few in the area.

Bodie Lighthouse

Boat Avenue

 

We left the Outer Banks and spent a few days at Carolina Beach where we enjoyed a nice rain storm and a day of golf. We liked the golf better than the several inches of rain and wind.

Inviting Water Hazard Hole - We Missed It

 

Our next stop on our trek south is Myrtle Beach South Carolina.