I left NYC on Christmas Day, picked up my friend and assistant driver at the Baltimore Airport on December 30, and headed south to Emporia, Virginia, arriving earlier than expected, and so drove on to Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
The next day, December 31, we hit the road early and arrived in Charleston at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel on downtown Wentworth Street. After unpacking we booked the last bus tour of the day, getting an idea of what Charleston had to offer. That night we had a wonderful dinner at Magnolia's Restaurant, known for its Southern - Low Country cuisine.
The new year began with breakfast at Toast, a stroll through the downtown Market Place, and a one hour carriage tour of historic Charleston. The tour guide was originally from Flint, Michigan! Pulling the carriage were Assault and Clint. Assault's regular pulling partner, Battery, was enjoying some rest in the stable. On the tour we saw the Citadel, the John Calhoun mansion, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Old City Market, Rainbow Row, beautiful churches, and the houses of many famous figures in Charleston history. The day was topped off by dinner at Sticky Fingers Barbeque.
Charleston was one of 3 walled cities in North America, the others St. Augustine and Quebec City, its wall in place by 1712. Charleston turned from a small pioneer settlement in 1670 into the greatest city in the South by the time of the American Revolution.
King Street: King Street is Charleston's main street and part of the original King's Highway into the city. Its shops offer antiques, jewelry, apparel, toys and specialty items.
Broad Street: Broad Street has always been an important street bearing public buildings, businesses, banking houses, law offices, and private residences. The "four corners of law," situated at the corners of Broad and Meeting Streets, represent four laws. City Hall (1800) represents municipal law, the County Court House (previously known as the State House, 1753) represents state law, the Post Office (1896) represents federal law, and St. Michael's Episcopal Church (1761) represents God's law.
After the tour, we set off on our own to explore.......
