Fort Sumter SC

Fort Sumter is where the first shots were fired to start the Civil War. The fort is located in Charleston Harbor. On April 12, 1861 at 4:30 AM, after weeks of tension as the Confederates demanded the Union forces under Major James Anderson, abandon the fort, Confederate commander P. G.T. Beauregard fired on the fort. By 2 PM the next day, the US forces surrendered the fort.
Much of Fort Sumter is in ruins.
The first shots were fired from the water directly ahead in this picture.
Several casemate cannons
12-pounder Mountain Howitzer
8-inch (200 Pounder) Parrott
15-inch Rodman
8-inch Columbiad
10-inch mortar, Model 1819
This flag flew over Fort Sumter during the bombardment of April 12-13, 1861.

Middleton Place

Charleston SC

Middleton Place, America’s oldest landscaped gardens. This plantation dates back to 1675! Arthur Middleton, who signed the Declaration of Independence, was born here in 1742.
Spanish Moss, which is neither moss, nor from Spain!
Terracing. This seen better from the air.
Spanish moss growing on a crepe myrtle.

Congraree National Park

Hopkins SC

This park is frequently overrun with mosquitos. This sign is funny, but it is serious. Fortunately for me, today was mild. I had a personal mosquito repellant device on me, and I did not see or hear any mosquitos.
I stayed on the boardwalk throughout the forest.
Water tupelos
Dwarf palmettos
These are “knees” which are produced by bald cypress trees, These are one of the most famous features of Congaree.
Weston Lake
Weston Lake, which is an oxbow lake that was formerly a bend in the Congaree River.
This is the only “wildlife” I encountered during my entire hike! I did not see (but they are out there!) any woodpeckers, turtles, snakes or alligators.
More bald cypress and their knees.
More bald cypress and their knees.
More bald cypress and their knees.
More bald cypress and their knees.
There are trails, and also camping sites.
Water tupelos
Switch cane
More bald cypress and their knees.
Water tupelos
Water tupelos
More bald cypress and their knees.
Close up of a couple knees
Loblolly pines

Columbia SC

Points of interest in Columbia

President Woodrow Wilson lived here with his parents from age 15-18, 1871-1874.
“World’s largest fire hydrant”
Tunnel mural.
Hootie and the Blowfish monument. They are from Columbia.
Bob Marley mural.
University of South Carolina Gamecocks Williams-Brice Stadium.
George Rogers statue. He is perhaps the greatest player in Gamecocks history, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1980. He also was on the Super Champion Washington Redskins in 1987.
Gamecock statue.
Outside of the stadium there is a row of “Cockabooses”, which are essentially pre-game tailgate party rooms.