Historic Charleston and Carriage Ride

A beautiful day as we cross the bay into Charleston.  Across the bay is the James Island Connector.

Downtown Charleston.

United States Customs

This is the entrance to the ferry system that goes out to Fort Sumter, a ferry we missed by 10 minutes.  I guess we'll go another day.  Today we'll go to the Market Place and take a Carriage Ride through Historic Charleston.

South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union.

Entrance to the old market place.  What a cool place.  There's a Confederate Museum upstairs, which we didn't go through.

 Inside the market.  It goes on for about 8 blocks.

The baskets below, made by black women, are extremely expensive.  The larger one on the corner top of the table is probably around $800.  The small ones with the handles are over $100.

Cool t-shirt.

This church and the next one below are without clappers/bells.  During the Civil War both churches donated the iron bells in the steeple to the "cause".  They were never replaced.

Our carriage guide.  He was wonderful and entertaining.

Being drawn down the streets of Charleston by "Kevin" the largest horse (19 1/2 hands) in Charleston.

We had a snack at this Cafe before hopping on the carriage.

A small mural on the alley leading to the stable.

The real thing.

Hooked up, cooling down and taking a long break.  They say the horses work 4 hrs. a day for a week, then 3 weeks off.  Not bad.

Local art.

After our carriage ride we strolled back to the parking garage near the ferry terminal.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  Another trip in will take us to Fort Sumter.