Finally some beautiful, warm weather for playing tourist.  We spent much of the day walking, visiting the Charleston Museum (the oldest museum in the country) & shopping for groceries, as we always seem to be doing.  It’s hard to impulsively shop when you realize that you have to lug all your groceries back a 35 minute walk followed by a 10 minute dinghy ride.

You’ve all heard of the Turtle, the first submarine.  This photo is a replica of the H.L. Hunley, the first submarine to successfully sink an enemy ship, during the Civil War. So many died during trials that they were not allowed to completely submerge it during the attack. Unfortunately the vessel did not return and although it was “found” more than 20 years ago, it was not raised from off-Charleston until 2005.

The amazing sub, H.L. Hunley

Back aboard after dinner, we checked our figures & realized that we’re exactly halfway on our journey from Essex to Miami.  After a great 2 day break in Charleston, we’re off on the morning tide.

We got ahead of our “pack” of fellow boaters & fell into this scenic portion of the Intracoastal Waterway, with no other boats in sight.  A few minutes after this photo was taken, we “pulled over” at a bend, anchored & had a fantastic spot all to ourselves for the night.

Earlier in the day, we waited for & passed thru the last remaining pontoon bridge on the ICW.  As its name implies, it is actually a car bridge that floats on pontoons.  At opening time (yep, on the hour) a barge tied to it pulls it aside for us to pass.  Its days are numbered, as a replacement bridge has been built, which will open in 3 weeks.