Nice to be safely docked and ready to start on our Spoleto performance and eating marathon. That’s what you do this time of year in Charleston. We definitely “earned” our dinner on Saturday after taking in the Garden Walk, a tour of private gardens in Charleston’s central district. These places are amazing….but they didn’t allow any photos. We did take some pictures of houses and gardens along the way without any photo prohibitions which will give you an idea of what these places are like.
We’ve been to Charleston many times, but never get tired of roaming it’s intricate streets. The hands (and eyes!) of landscape designers are apparent in everything from the window boxes to the carefully trimmed boxwood hedges. And dominating all of this planned horticulture are ancient live oaks filled with epiphytes, magnolias with yellowing, near spent blooms and smooth barked crepe myrtles with their multi-colored trunks.
Dinner Saturday night at Rappahonnick Oyster Bar. Brunch Sunday at 39 Rue de Jean. Both terrific.
We’ve got scads of tickets for performances coming up. Today, we took in a free choral concert which was wonderful. Cliff started rating each of the songs and eventually got to A++. Yes, it really was that good. We are looking forward to the rest of the music we will hear during our stay.
A funny note…..the mega-yacht across from us lowered two kayaks and their paddles today. The kayaks and the tips of the paddles were carefully wrapped. By the time everything got un-wrapped, it started to rain. Not a great kayaking day. The only thing I could figure is that the guests aboard are looking for something to do besides keeping the owners’ four dogs company.
The yacht is registered out of the Marshall Islands (Micronesia) as are several others in the harbor. Apparently, Marshall Islands does a bang up job of helping people avoid taxes!
XXOO
Ann and Cliff, I’m loving the blog . So funny that we were both in Charleston a few weeks apart . I saw the drinks on the stick also and thought it was a cool idea . No pun intended . I love the photos of the houses . I didn’t get to see enough because I was only there for two days and much of it was wedding related . Can’t wait to see you both this summer and compare stories . With regard to the black figurine in the front yard , you can’t necessarily assume it’s racist . I once spent two days at the merchandise Mart helping a woman sell Christmas ornaments and similar figurines . I had commented to her that I thought it was a racist and she told me the vast majority are purchased by African-Americans . It’s considered folk art. I learned later that Whoopi Goldberg is a huge collector . Still, considering it’s Charleston may have had racist intent . Let’s hope not . Safe travels ,
Gary