Charleston June 10-17


June here:  Quite a week in Charleston with Howard doing yeoman work addressing various issues on the boat (water filter, Dirt Devil belt, windlass motor, plumbing) plus finally getting to do some waxing and varnish work that he'd hoped to begin sooner PLUS doctoring June's sciatica that came out of nowhere the first night here.  So we haven't done the sightseeing I'd hoped for, but Dr. Entman has gotten June on the mend with good meds, and we are off and running again.
We are docked at St. Johns Yacht Harbor, a perfectly lovely marina on Johns Island just south of Charleston proper.  Great staff, boat neighbors, and facilities, including a swimming pool and courtesy car.  Only downside is a rather long walk from docks to parking lot because Hurricane Matthew destroyed a bridge between the two that is still being repaired.  Thanks to the courtesy car, we've enjoyed dinners at the Tattooed Moose, Fleet Landing, Athens Grill, Blu on Folly Beach.

Courtesy Car




St. Johns Yacht Harbor poool

St. Johns Yacht Harbor store, facilities and docks
Boardwalk to parking  lot

The Tattooed Moose on Johns Island

Fleet Landing Restaurant on Charleston Harbor

U.S. Custom House across street from Fleet Landing

A special treat at St. Johns Yacht Harbor was our boat neighbor for the first day, the S.S. Sophie, a 1947 80' Trumpy yacht owned for many years by Greta Van Sustern and her husband, and on its way to Annapolis to be refitted by its new owners.  Captain Amy graciously gave us a tour of this classic vintage boat, the same make as the presidential yacht Sequoia enjoyed by FDR and JFK.

S.S. Sophie (For Springer Spaniel Sophie)



Our last day in Charleston, we rented a car to do some proper sightseeing in town: the 1820 Aiken-Rhett House, the 1840 Kahal Kodesh Beth Elohim synagogue, City Market, and the Battery.

Kahal Kodesh Beth Elohim congregation was founded in 1749.  Its 1840 synagogue is the second oldest in the U.S. and the oldest in continuous use.

A public park since 1837, White Point Gardens, faced with magnificent homes overlooking Charleston Harbor, became a fortification for the city during the Civil War.  Batteries of canons and mortar used by both sides are on display here.






 We left Charleston Saturday 6/17 heading for McClellanville, SC.  Passing through Charleston Harbor, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet to join the Atlantic, we enjoyed wonderful views of Charleston and Fort Sumter, which guards Charleston Harbor and where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.

White Point Gardens and the Battery seen from the Ashley River
Fort Sumter at the mouth of Charleston Harbor

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