We had a quick breakfast at the hotel then set off for Myrtle Beach, a beach resort over the border in South Carolina. We played a round of mini golf at Captain Hook’s course, Tom won by 2 shots.
Then we set off for Charleston about 2 hours away. We drove along some of the roads you imagine when you think of long distance driving in America, long straight empty roads with the odd pick-up truck and wooden bungalow by the side of the road. We passed Prosser’s BBQ for a picture, but didn’t have chance to stop for any food.
First in Charleston we visited Fort Sumter. The fort is on an island about 30 mins by boat out in Charleston harbour. It had an important role to play in the Civil War – Union forces were manning the fort until the first shot of the war was fired from a nearby fort marking the beginning of the Civil War. The battle lasted for 36 hours and eventually led to their surrender. The Confederare army then held the fort under siege almost until the end of the war.
The National Park rangers gave a talk and involved all the visitors in a flag lowering ceremony and then we had about an hour to explore the island before the boat took us back to Charleston.
We checked in to our hotel, another cute inn housed in a lovely old building. After missing out at lunch time, we had BBQ for tea, at a nice little place on Upper King Street.
Confit Chicken and “True Texas” Brisket from Smoke BBQ
Haha. Grampy would have loved it. He always stopped to take pictures of “Prosser” establishments and, if he could, to talk to the owner.