The Knapps Visit Charleston

WHEN: June 13-19, 2013
WHERE: Charleston, South Carolina

Family vacations.

For us, they are the best.  And since those are about the only vacations Stacie and I ever have, it's a good thing!  With our families spread out across the country (the closest being an 8-hour drive), our vacation time is spent with at least one of our parents or one of our sister's families.  June was the first time Jennie and Dave were able to come to Charleston and visit us, and Stacie's parents third visit.  We love to go "home" to Iowa, but we love to host family and friends in Charleston too.

Day 1 - dad and daughters...shopping.  What else did you expect?? :)

The second day we went to the Charleston Farmer's Market downtown in Marion Square.

Fresh produce, food trucks, local merchandise, great setting.  The building in the background is an Embassy Suites hotel, but used to be The Old Citadel building (built in the early 1830s).

Inside the Embassy Suites lobby

It was our first time stepping foot inside the building.  Strange how it takes visitors to turn us into tourists in our own city.  We're less apt to try new restaurants, go new places, try new things, if it's just the two of us.  We tried a lot of things for the first time while Stacie's family was in town.

The biggest surprise was Dave flying in on day 3, which was a last-minute decision by the Knapps.  After working a full shift Saturday until midnight, he drove to Chicago over night to catch an early morning flight to Charleston (not sleeping that night).

Of course, we didn't let him sleep, but instead took him straight out to show him the town...and shop. :)  So glad he could make it.

The Pink House (c. 1690) is one of the oldest buildings in South Carolina and the oldest building in Charleston.

The typical "pose by the flower box" picture (so many opportunities for these shots downtown)

The men went on a tour of Fort Sumter

Which includes a 40-minute (one way) cruise out to the fort in Charleston Harbor. Score!

Barn swallow on the mooring line

Castle Pinckney (foreground, 1810) and Fort Sumter (background, 1811)

On the water...great way to spend a hot, summer day.

And a great way to see the city.

It was the first time I have been on the water in Charleston.  Never knew what I was missing!

Sailing squad

I saw Charleston in a brand new way

Charleston is also known as The Holy City, which can be appreciated when seen from the water.  It's skyline is dominated by church steeples, thanks in part to a city ordinance that prohibits any building from being constructed higher than the tallest church steeple (St. Matthew's Church - 255ft. - just out of sight on the right).

Charleston's skyline, as seen from Charleston Harbor (HD video)

Charleston Harbor Resort, USS Yorktown, and the Ravenel Bridge

Winds of Fortune fishing boat in action

Spirit of Charleston pulling away from Fort Sumter as we approached

Disembarking the Spirit of the Lowcountry we rode out to Fort Sumter

"The fort is ours, gentlemen!"

Inside the walls

I have now seen or visited all 7 Atlantic fortifications on the coasts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Fort Sumter...where the Civil War began
(LIVE webcam)

The Palmetto Guard Flag

Fort Sumter's Battle Flag

Some of the cannons surrounding the internal perimeter of the fort

I know that guy!

The Colors

Fort Sumter became a national park in 1948.
(U.S. National Parks storymap)

For my mom..."Pelican Shoal" (as I shall call it)

Enjoying the view from the Mount Pleasant Pier before our dinner reservation.

Boys, deep in philosophical thought ("When are we gonna eat?)

The Charleston Harbor Fish House opened just a week prior.  Another first for Stacie and I.  We made reservations...then pigged out.  The restaurant offers a great view of the harbor, one of the few restaurants in Charleston with water-front dining, surprisingly.

The next day we went to Husk, voted the 2011 #1 new restaurant in America (by Bon Appetite magazine).  Also a first for everyone.

We all agreed our dishes (and dessert) were uh-mazing.  The venue isn't bad either.

"We approve!"

"So do we!"

Suck in your lunch bellies and smile!

The next day we tried yet another restaurant for the first time (we like to eat) - Vickery's on Shem Creek.

It's your typical fried seafood joint, but sometimes that's the best choice.

And it has a great view.

Seabirds descending upon a shrimping boat returning to dock

Miss Judy Too (shrimp boat) returning to Shem Creek with the day's catch (HD video)

Pelicans lining the boardwalk

We forced our father-in-law to take a picture with us...you can see we enjoyed it more than he.

"Spread out!" (Steve's famous words)

The originals

Girls' turn ("Thankfully!", says Steve)
All parties herein probably hate that I have posted this picture.  However, candids are my favorites. :)

Fiddler crab
(Hey buddy, your friends were delicious!)

Watching the boats on Shem Creek...

...and the storms role in from the ocean.

It storms almost every afternoon in the summer

Not good for making outdoor plans, but beautiful nonetheless.

I'll take the storms back in a heartbeat, if it means summer was here.  Not looking forward to January and February right around the corner.  It sure is depressing, writing about summer during the winter.  Can't want for warmer days, longer daylight, summer storms, trips to the beach, and (hopefully) more vistors!


The Knapps...in Charleston!

Thanks for visiting.  Come back soon (and bring summer with you)!