Richmond Virginia to Charleston, South Carolina – December 2 & 3 2017
Arriving in Charleston just in time for a spectacular sunset that cast an intensely otherworldly light on the historic city. Soon the light faded and the streetlight/moonlight illuminated the 
old section of the town. Exploration started in the oldest part; “the French Quarter”. Fortunately this section did not have the urine odor found in modern France. Historic buildings of note were: Old Slave Mart now a museum.(No slaves were available in the gift shop) and the Old Jail. This building is quite dilapidated and not highlighted on the tourist map due to its location in a seedy part of town. King Street is the cities “high street” with top end stores lining the roadway that overflows with tourists and those willing to sell them a frozen alcoholic treat or offer them a carriage ride. The former industrial and depressed areas of the city, like most US cities is seeing a revival of sorts. Derogatorily referred to as gentrification by the millennial hipsters who directly benefit by this renewal with breweries, apartments, and shops. North Charleston is such an area and is home for a number of breweries. Palmetto Brewing Co is located in a large old warehouse. The beer was good, dogs welcome, live music played and the people were friendly. Not far away was Revelry Brewing Co. Inside a newly built commercial building decorated with a large bar including an old piano and some artistic graffiti. The beer available was also well made and t
he hipsters running the show were also friendly. In the light of the next day the southern tip in this historic district was explored including White Point Garden; a large park filled with monuments representing the history of the area. Several local locals were staging a protest of sorts against the removal of historic monuments.
An hour or so south of Charleston are the Old Sheldon Church Ruins. The remains of the historic building are on private property but are seemingly open to the public without charge. Fortunately no signs of vandalism are present so perhaps it will stay open to all.
“Fortunately this section did not have the urine odor found in modern France. ” Ha!