JoanandtheBoys: Charleston

South Carolina is a lovely state, particularly since I think we have hit the weather sweet spot. Not 30 degrees as it was when Jane and I visited nor the 100 degree, 80% humidity of summer. Even the bugs have been manageable. The scenery is peaceful with huge oaks dripping moss, endless small islands and wetlands and plenty of squirrel activity to function like Sunday cartoons for Max's viewing pleasure. The food is good with lots of local seafood, still key lime pie but now peach cobbler as well. The people are gracious and helpful, EXCEPT when driving. Both in Hilton Head and now Charleston we find they are aggressive and not very skilled. I was amazed when crossing in the crosswalk, coming from the Fort Sumpter Museum, and a woman driving fast cut right in front of me while I was 30% through the crosswalk. I raised my hand in an Italian style gesture (no finger) and said something out loud, "What the heck." The man behind me said "you must not be from around here." I said no, and he explained that is how they drive. He was from Denver. I had no idea the "slow country" and gracious South would drive like NY City folk. Pedestrian beware.

We are staying in a fabulous County park where the infrastructure is maintained, the staff are accomodating and the attractions rival private theme parks. There are splash zones, spray water features for the little ones, kayak lakes and a dog swimming area. The RV sites are shaded and large. I did discover, not having watched much TV in the RV, that a shady spot may mean no satellite TV. I am not missing much and the Internet suffices.

I walk Max and found this at the park entrance-lit in the hours of darkness and used as a landmark for campers coming in after dark.

After Hours Campground Entrance Landmark

Such a peaceful place to walk Max

Cardinals are a such a treat

The Park has a wonderful Christmas Light Display.

Yesterday was a leisurely trip to the adjacent Wadmalaw Island to see the Charleston Tea Plantation and the Angel Oak. The tea plantation is of recent vintage, now owned and run by the Bigelow family, but grows tea plants that were imported for a plantation northeast of the current one in 1880. The tour is informative and one learns the process of preparing green, oolong and black tea and observes the equipment that is used. Because it is the weekend and before the first flush of the year, no actual work was being done. It is the only tea plantation growing and processing tea in North America. The tea is grown without pesticides or fungicides and is served at the White House. It is also a larger leaf style which gives a richer, smoother flavor.