Day 122 First day exploring Charleston, SC

     We left the boat at mid-morning and took the marina shuttle to the Charleston City Market. It is several blocks long with small booths on both sides. Lots of art, souvenirs (both tasteful and tasteless) and baskets. I specifically mention the baskets because they were in many shops, and there were people actually weaving them on site.

We then walked around the area and saw a lot of restaurants and (upscale) art and antique shops. For lunch, we went to Poogan's Porch Restaurant, and yes, they did have a small dining porch. However, we chose the air conditioned inside after having walked around for a while. The menu was really interesting. I chose the "Calabash Shrimp and Oysters", which came with "housemade chips and pimento cheese slaw". The "housemade" or made in house potato chips were excellent!

     After lunch we walked around the corner to the Gibbes Museum of Art, which specializes in art from the South Carolina Lowcountry. "Lowcountry" (one word) seems to be the local term for the low lying coastal plain with its marshes, rivers and barrier bars.

Much of the art from the 18th and 19th centuries consisted of beautiful, large ancestor paintings of members of prominent local families. Most of the art on display told little about life during this period (in my opinion). Charleston has always been a center for the arts, and the art from the 20th century was very diverse and interesting. Then it was time to call the marina shuttle and head back to the boat to pursue our other agenda for the day -REST.

     Tomorrow we are off early to take a ferry to Fort Sumter for a tour.