Charleston, SC – Fort Sumter

We had hoped that today we would be able to go visit a plantation or do a bus tour of downtown Charleston, SC.  I have been to Charleston before while serving my mission during 1994-1996.  It took us about 1 1/2 hours to drive up to Charleston, and by the time we got there, we realized that we would have a hard time doing everything that we wanted to do.  We decided that the most worth our while would be to visit Fort Sumter.  This requires a 30 boat ride to the Fort Sumter island.  While the boat is traveling, there is a tour guide explaining some of the different islands and their historical significance.

Here is everyone (except me) on the boat ride to Fort Sumter.

 

We wanted to visit the USS Yorktown (a WWII aircraft carrier), but found that we didn’t have enough time to do this…..

 

Arriving at Fort Sumter.

 

Entrance to Fort Sumter.

 

Various flags flown at the Fort.

Carter had a hard time on the boat ride to Fort Sumter and easily disrupted a large group of people who were listening to the tour guide with his screaming.  I had to become mom-for-the-day…..I had been here before, so I let Erin and Brayden and Riley go experience the place.  It took Carter a while to finally take his nap, so once he did, I started walking around the grounds to observe the Fort.  This is where this picture came from….I was surprised to see Erin with the camera pointing at me as we both walked around a corner.  He remained asleep even as we carried him (with him still in the stroller) back to the boat.

Brayden and Riley enjoying the sights of Fort Sumter.

   

Riley was apparently more excited with the ant on the floor than some of the cannons.  On the flip side, Brayden appears to be overly excited.  Some of those cannons weigh 20,000 pounds!!!

 

After the boat ride back to the dock, Carter work up.  We decided to grab some lunch/dinner at a place called Sticky Fingers. 

Carter:   “Word up!!”

Everyone except Carter at Sticky Fingers.

  

 

Unfortunately, we have not heard back from the White House, regarding our visit that we had wanted to make for June 4th.  Apparently, they give you a call a week before your requested date to let you know if you are allowed to visit on that date.  Even today, no word from the White House.  Oh well…..it was worth a shot.

We travelled to Florence, South Carolina and tomorrow we will try to visit Darlington Raceway as well as a place called South of the Border (which is actually just south of the North Carolina border). 

Our original plan showed us as being at Mt. Vernon today.  We are a little behind that schedule, but it’s very nice being able to not have any specific plans set in stone.  Lots of stuff in DC to see though (we allotted ourselves 4 days for DC).  We should be in Mt. Vernon, Virginia area sometime tomorrow.

--Aric