Charleston, South Carolina: My Dream Destination

The sun and sea alight and dance the horizon line. Sea oats sway with the wisping wind. The sea birds wings spread out again. Day has come. Life's tune strums through all that breaths the salty sea air here in Charleston, South Carolina.

There are an abundance of things to do in Charleston, but when I go on vacation, I do not like to rush for anything, so I am only going to include what I would if I were spending 3 days there. The first thing to do is decide where you want to stay. I would stay at the Carriage House in White Point Gardens, also known as the Battery. It is a little less than 2 miles from Liberty Square. Plus, it is easy to get to Liberty Square from the White Point Gardens. You only have to make 2 turns.

Liberty Square and Fort Sumter is where I would go the first day, and I'd spend all day long. First, I'd take the 9:30 ferry and spend the morning at Fort Sumter. There are so many things to see and the Rangers there have an abundance of information. There is not a lot of shade on Fort Sumter, so going in the morning is a good idea while it is a little cooler. Then I'd take the ferry back to Liberty Square at 12:00 noon. For lunch, I would stop by the Rising High Cafe. The Rising High Cafe is located at 480 East Bay St, which is less than a third of a mile from our next stop. It is very easy to find, and they serve a nice lunch. After lunch, I'd go to the South Carolina Aquarium, which is right at Liberty Square.

Then I'd go to the Carriage House in White Point Gardens for tea and cookies, and I'd take some time to relax. For dinner, I'd stroll down to the Rue de Jean, which is about a mile and a half from the Carriage House, for some French cuisine. After dinner, I'd return to the Carriage House with my mind whirling with thoughts of such an enjoyable first day, and I'd drift into a peaceful, dreamy slumber.

Not only was Charleston an intricate part of Civil War history, it also plays an intricate part in the history of the War for Independence, or American Revolution. The first museum in the Western Hemisphere and the third library in what is now the United States was started in Charleston. Therefore, on the second day, I would visit some of the historical sights from the colonial period and the American War for Independence. I would visit St. Michaels church, which is the oldest church building that still stands. I would visit the graves of Arthur Middleton and Edward Rutledge, who both signed the Declaration of Independence. Edward Rutledge is buried at Saint Philip's Church Cemetery. At the end of my second day, I would go back to the Carriage House, reflecting on the price of freedom then and now.

The third day in Charleston, I would visit the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, which is the oldest public gardens in the United States. I would spend the whole day there basking in the peace and quiet of the trails winding through the magnificent flowers and trees. I would stroll over bridges noting the reflections of this fairy tale setting in the glassy water. If I could go anywhere, and do anything, this is where I'd go, and what I'd do. Even though I've been there before, Charleston, South Carolina is still my dream destination.

Resources for Charleston
http://www.undercovertourist.com/united-states/south-carolina/charleston/hotels/fort-sumter.html

http://www.nps.gov/fosu/index.htm

http://www.scaquarium.org/

http://www.patriotspoint.org/

http://www.classiccarriage.com/

http://www.celebratecharleston.com/

http://www.spiritlinecruises.com/sumter_rates.asp

http://risinghighcafe.com/

http://www.39ruedejean.com/index.html

http://www.charlestonscrealestate.us/charlestonhistory.html

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2810

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=920

http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/