James Island County Park | Charleston

Wednesday - 23 October 2002: Charleston, South Carolina - Everything down here is a Plantation. Shopping centers are called something like "Sea Breeze Plantation". Along the same idea, the Murrayhill development in Beaverton would be called "Murrayhill Plantation". All sub-divisions are called Something Plantation. Of course, Murrayhill would also have two 18-hole championship golf courses running through the "plantation". It is also perfectly (socially and politically) acceptable to refer to your Grandmother as Big Mama, even if she was/is a small woman.
 
As we were leaving our #2222 of 3335 campsites, we passed by a camper with a sign giving their names and their home town - with a moniker for their motorhome - "Cram-a-lot Inn".

We had a short drive this morning - less than 90 miles to Charleston from Myrtle Beach along Highway 17. It was a very pretty drive - past several plantations (actual farms not sub-divisions) and through cute little sea villages. We decided to try the county park as our headquarters for our stay in Charleston. James Island County Park is barely outside of town, yet has a country-like setting. They had openings and we have a full-service site. The park is nearly 1,000 acres, with a lake and miles and miles of jogging paths. James Island County Park has huge live oaks, dripping with moss. Very pretty and very southern. The magnolias and hibiscus are still blooming.

We set up camp and took Snickers in to a boarding kennel at a veterinary clinic. The kennel is very nice and close to the campground. The vet gave us a few "don't miss" sights in Charleston and told us of a few close-by places to eat. Southerners are still slow to understand that people own beagles as pets. Beagles are not pets, they are hunting dogs. Even this vet - he was 70 if he was a day - was shaking his head. Maybe they are on to something?

DT and I headed into Charleston and toured through the Charleston City Market. Except for the women selling sea grass baskets, there was very little to interest us at the market - we were not shopping for items made in China today. T-shirts were the biggest product at the Charleston City Market. We walked down to Waterfront Park to watch the beautiful Celebrity Galaxy leave port. I asked DT, "What are the chances that we would be in Charleston, SC and a ship we have sailed on (December 1997) would be in port?" He answered, "1:1". Smart ass.

The Celebrity Galaxy leaving port


Terry in front of the Pineapple Fountain

Yes, Mother, I am still on this trip! Isn't that just the prettiest fountain?

We did a walking tour of a small part of Charleston. Mostly we were getting our bearings and picking up brochures to decide what we were going to do for a few days with no dog in this beautiful city. The homes are simply gorgeous and ornate - I promise lots of photos tomorrow. We walked miles and at 5:30 p.m., ended up at the Visitor's Center, where we picked up even more brochures and then caught a bus back to the City Market area where we had left the car. We stopped into an Irish pub for a drink and to go over our stack of brochures. There is really a lot to see and do in Charleston! There is so much history here, so many mansions, plantations, museums and shops. We did formulate a little plan, but we will still play it by ear and by "weather".

We decided against dinner at the Irish pub, and since we were not dressed for dinner, decided to stop off at a place the vet had suggested near the campground - Mimi's. "Iz just a leetle shaaack", he said. Well, not EXACTLY a shack, Mimi's was casual, but a very, very good restaurant. Mimi's offered a crab cake sandwich and sautéed mussels and sautéed scallops, along with the usual fare. She also had several interesting pasta dishes and even PB&J for the kidlets. And, of course, my gin and tonic was served in a single-serve bottle. DT had She Crab soup, topped with a jigger of sherry. We split a Greek Salad. For my main course, I had fried cod, with fries and slaw and DT had fried calamari. My cod was so light and fresh! I asked the waitress and she said Mimi is very picky and will not serve any fish that is frozen or has ever been frozen at her restaurant. Well, well! What a great place - we are happy for the recommendation.

RV Park: James Island County Park