The Holy City: Fort Sumter

Did you know that Charleston, South Carolina is this year's World's Best City (according to Travel + Leisure)? My home town of Mount Pleasant is adjacent to Charleston. This July my parents rented a beach house and we all went down for a visit.

View from the beach house balcony

I was craving humidity (yes, you read that correctly) and the beautiful views of palm trees, beach and marsh. This trip satisfied all those cravings and more.

On our first full day, we visited Fort Sumter. Even though I grew up in the area I had never visited this historic site. The boat ride out to the Fort was lovely and educational.

View while waiting to board the boat

The first thing we saw after stepping foot inside for the tour was a rifle musket demonstration. I really enjoyed this. I had just read a book that took place during the Civil War and talked a lot about firing rifle muskets. (The book is called I Shall Be Near You and I HIGHLY recommend reading it).

The USS Yorktown. We didn't visit it on this trip, but maybe next time

Charleston skyline

The rifle musket demo. I'm glad I don't have to wear that uniform on a hot summer day in Charleston

 

After the tour and boat ride back, we visited Jack's Cosmic Dogs for lunch. This is a Mount Pleasant/Charleston institution and, again, another place I've never patronized. My chili dog was yum, yum, yum! And the atmosphere is fun with a vintage flair.