March 10, 2023

We’ve arrived in Charleston and anchored near the Harborage at Ashley Marina. Our first objective: to figure out dinner. Across the way was a lovely building called California Dream that offered a variety of tasty food, but more importantly, a dinghy dock.

I love crab. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I was spoiled with delicious, fresh Dungeness Crab that we’d catch. I heard Blue Crab was the equivalent on the East Coast, so I’ve been searching for crab at the local fish shops, restaurants, and even bought a small ring trap to try catching them myself. But all I’ve found is Snow Crab. Fortunately, California Dream offered fried crab claws. I had to order two servings just to get my crab craving under control.

March 11-12, 2023

We have company. So far it’s been Lil Sudden with people coming to visit. This time it’s our turn.

When I was a teenager, I was part of the Civil Air Patrol. Through that organization, I made many friends including Troy. Troy and his family moved to North Carolina a couple of years ago and we were excited that they are driving down to spend the weekend with us. We spent some time catching up, celebrating Sangria Saturday, and explored the historic town of Charleston.

March 13, 2023

It’s a very cold day. There’s a cold front hitting the East Coast and the temperature is in the mid 30’s to 40’s.

But I’m from the Pacific Northwest and won’t let this weather deter me from exploring.

Today’s adventure took us to where it all started: the first shot of the Civil War. Coda and our family took a ferry from Patriot’s Point to Fort Sumter where we had an hour to tour the grounds. The park ranger did an excellent explanation of the historical significance of the fort and what it meant then and what it means now. I was impressed that Michael even listened intently.

After returning from the fort to Patriot’s Point, we toured the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown and Destroyer USS Laffey.

The USS Yorktown was like a maze: we kept climbing lower and lower into the bowels of the ship, wandering the narrow halls, and peering into the old living quarters. The constant smell of machinery filled my nose while the subtle clang of feet on metal rang in my ears. After a couple of hours wandering the lower decks, we headed to the flight deck to view the jets and the upper tower. It’s amazing people lived on these for years. I’m amazed I didn’t get lost.

The USS Laffey was also interesting. The ship was damaged in WWII by Kamikazes, but survived. Inside, there was a History Channel episode on the attack on Laffey. It was surreal sitting there and watching the damage, amazed that she survived.

That evening, Lil Sudden had family coming into town to visit for a few days, bringing two boys to play with my kids. It’s going to be a busy week.

March 14, 2023

It’s another cold day measuring at 36 degrees. The ground is even frozen!! Again, not going to let this cold stop us.

Our family took an Uber to the McLeod Plantation for a tour. Our guide was Gullah Geechee and brought a great deal of insight and education into the tour, even providing an example of the language.

We walked the grounds of the plantation and saw the different uses through history. The small slave shacks have been used as a church, school, and even homes until the 1990’s. The plantation house has also served as a Confederate headquarter during the Civil War.

After returning from the tour, we meet up with Lil Sudden’s guests at a trampoline house so the kids could burn some energy.

The day was concluded at the historic downtown. While the kids played near Pineapple Fountain, a few of us ran to Pearlz for an Oyster Shooter that a friend recommended. So Good!