Traveling with Storys: October 23, 2024 - Charleston, South Carolina

October 23, 2024 – Wednesday Day 28 of this journey

Charleston, South Carolina

On our way into Charleston this morning, we sailed by Fort Sumter. We didn’t actually see it as it was still dark, but later in the day, when someone else referenced it, it gives you pause to think about its significance.

Over the time we have sailed with Viking, we have learned that sometimes you get lucky with your tour guide for the day, and sometimes you don’t. It’s just the luck of the draw. Today we were unlucky. It really impacts the entire day.

The tour started with a drive through historic Charleston in very heavy traffic. Eventually, the bus parked, the passengers were divided into two groups, and we started our walking tour. Our guide obviously is used to conducting these walks without the assistance of the microphone and headpieces as she was shouting into the mic.

She offered a comfort stop for those needing it, then we continued the walk. There are many many old old Live Oaks in Charlston. They are majestic. Most houses from the earlier periods, are long and narrow. It is a style of building that was brought from Barbados. One room wide, but several rooms deep and 2 or 3 stories. Many had porches running the length of the house. It was required that the kitchen be in a separate building at the back of the property. This was due to the danger of fire. Most of these kitchen houses would have had quarters above for the slaves.

St. Micheal’s church was open for tours today, so we were able to go inside. It is the oldest surviving church in Charleston. It was built between 1751 & 1761 and still conducts services. George Washington worshipped here when he was in Charleston, as did Robert E Lee. The bells and clock in the tower are from 1764. A couple of the stained-glass windows were made by Tiffany Studios in the late 1800s, early 1900s. Quite impressive.

Across from St. Michaels - US Post Office & Courthouse
1896

A beautiful side garden just a few doors from St. Michaels.

Next on the agenda was the Nathaniel Russell House. A neoclassical gem. Here, our guide turned us over to a docent that did an outstanding job of showing us the house and giving us a great deal of history as well as intimate details that made the house come to life in 1808 when it was completed. Each floor has similar features. A square room to the front, and oval room towards the center and a rectangular room at the back. The staircase is most unusual. It is elliptical and has no visible support. Each step is cantilevered off the previous. The house became a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and was put on the National registry in 1973.

Our docent is waiting for us in the doorway.

These are probably 3' tall. One is the earth, one is the heavens.

The amazing staircase. On the underside, they have a
viewing window of the construction.

The oval dining room. Original china came from China. It took
two years to receive.

Beautiful crown molding. This is trompe-l'oeil.

This is not trompe-l'oeil. I think these ceilings are 14'.

More trompe-l'oeil. This is yellow pine feather painted
to look like burl wood.

This room did not use trompe-l'oeil, Beautifully done.

Nathaniel Russell's rice motif South Carolina made bedstead.
You see the sheafs of rice carved into the post.

And, of course, the "necessary" chair

In restoring the house, many layers of paint were stripped off until they found the original color. It is now referred to as Russell Gold. Initially, much attention was given to the house itself. The kitchen and slave quarters were not touched. Now, they are doing an archeological review of those quarters. They expect to learn a great deal from this and eventually restore it to the 1800s as well.

After much more walking, we finally returned to the ship. After lunch and a rest, we headed back out to hopefully pick up a couple of minor items we could use. We utilized the FREE shuttle bus that Charleston runs. We had been given a map showing three different routes. We believed these routes to be closed loops.

After making our purchase, we went back to where we got off the bus to get back to the ship. Closed loop? NO! It connected to a different route that headed further inland, then it looked like it was going to cross the river. It is after 3:00 pm and we have to be back to the ship by 5:00 pm. Sounds like a lot of time, but who knows how far this bus will go before heading back.

Just about the time we thought we needed to get off and find a cab, the bus made a few turns and headed back towards historic Charleston. Then we were back in familiar territory. We got off the bus and headed in the direction of our ship. We were back on board a few minutes after 4:00 pm. Lots of time, but lots of walking. We are tired. We take showers, then head to the Explorer’s Lounge to get a drink.

Home Sweet Home

Tonight’s Daily Briefing begins with a farewell tribute to the guests that will be departing in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Some nice photos are shown and brief comments by the Captain. Then they retracted the screen and just outside the auditorium were most of the staff. They came through a door, across the stage and up the staircase. It was a great send off and fun to see so many of the staff that we have met over the past month.