Charleston SC - 032 47.32N 079 55.44W

OOJAH's AWESOME ODYSSEY
Peter & Christene Tanner
Fri 18 Apr 2014 22:49
We sailed into Charleston after a gentle 23 hour passage & went straight ashore for one of our treats - an all American breakfast. Then after a completing the paperwork & showering we made for the main street which is pedestrianised every other Sunday - temporary street bars appear & buskers play making for almost a party atmosphere as people parade up & down in their best frocks with dogs & kids (no difference there).
Charleston, originally Charles Towne named after King Charles II, was founded by British settlers in 1670. Joined by French Huguenots escaping religious persecution, Spanish settlers & black African slaves it soon became a very prosperous cosmopolitan community & was amongst the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. Over the next century the plantations grew on the back of slave labour but it all came to a grinding halt when, opposing ending slavery, Charleston found itself on the wrong side of the Civil War & was sacked by the Yankees. The rice & sugar plantations never recovered but despite a few fires & earthquakes Charleston has regenerated itself and the historic centre is absolutely charming - a picturesque mixture of wealthy colonial traders mansions & colourful wooden clad homes.
Spanning the estuary is one of the most beautiful suspension bridges & on the other side opposite us is the World War 2 aircraft carrier Yorktown along with a destroyer & a submarine - how they can afford to keep these preserved I've no idea but they we're fun to visit.
Half way through the week the wind swung into the North & the temperature plummeted by 20 degrees. It's rained heavily on & off & it looks as if we'll be here another week before it's fit to sail on. The boat heating is on for the first time in 2 years & we're digging out some extra layers. However it's not a bad place to be stuck!

With love, Peter & Christene