Karen & David were up early to walk the beach and hopng for a sunrise worth photographing, but apparently it wasn’t much to look at. There were also a few raindrops. I was up by 730, showered, had some hotel room coffee, and we all walked over to the Black Magic Café for breakfast at 915. After last nights big meal, I wasn’t sure how hungry I was but I decided to try my first Chicken & Waffles. Fried chicken on waffles with pecan butter & bourbon syrup. And coffee. It WAS wonderful and I ate every bite. Mmmfph. I was full. God I was full.
After freshening up back in our room, we headed to downtown Charleston for the South Carolina Aquarium and the boat tour to Fort Sumter. The aquarium was very busy with lots of families(ie loud annoying little children-brats running wild:-) and while interesting, to me it wasn’t really worth the discounted price of $25 each. But it allowed us to keep occupied until our 230 Fort Sumter tour.
Fort Sumter was very interesting, along with the ½ hour boat ride each way. The tour boat was full, 150 people or more. The lower (heated) level filled up fast, and we boarded near the end so had to sit on upper deck in plastic deck chairs outside. It was chilly but we were all bundled up okay. The fort is a relatively small manmade island in the middle of Charleston harbor, with lots of old guns and history to see. Lots of picture taking.
Wendy, Karen, & David listened to a park ranger give a talk, while I needed to keep moving and see what was what. There were many display sign explaining the history. Here are but a few of them all.
The boat departed at 415 and we found better upper deck seats, still cool, but more out of the wind.
YouTube Video (13min) Fort Sumter Tour
We were well chilled after the boat ride back, so we enjoyed a short, warm, “heated seats” ride in Davids honda from one parking garage downtown to another parking lot near the market. We then walked to supper at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company near the market. I had Shrimp & Grits, most excellent, and a Tennessee Iced Tea. The drink was $11 but included the glass to take home.