April 12th - Charleston & Middleton Place

Started the day with a carriage ride in the City of Charleston, South
Carolina learning about the history of the city as we took in the sites and
historical homes. Coincidently this day was also the anniversary of the
beginning of the Civil War began. The natural barriers of the Ashley and
Cooper rivers preserved Charleston's character by isolating it.

Spent some time walking around, shopping and stepping into some of the shops
to smell the delicious chocolates and assorted sweets.

Decided to head up the road along the Ashley River and visit a National
Historic Landmark - Middleton Place. This property was first granted in 1675
and has some of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. Here lived,
Henry Middleton, a President of the First Continental Congress; Arthur
Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; and Williams
Middleton, a signer of the Ordinance of Secession. Middleton Place has
America's oldest landscaped gardens, laid out in 1741 and expanded in the
19th and 20th centuries. Lovely way to end the day.