Glimpses of Charleston

A local's eye view

The Bridge

The port has always played a critical role in Charleston's life. Here a car carrier, likely in town to pick up BMW's manufactured in upstate SC, is posing against the Cooper River Bridge. In 2016, BMW and the port celebrated the shipping of the 2,000,000th BMW made in SC through Charleston.
A bird's-eye view across the Charleston peninsula to the Cooper River Bridge (aka the Ravenel Bridge). The third longest cable-stayed bridge in the western hemisphere, the bridge is a pleasure to drive, walk, bike or run across.
While buying fresh off the boat shrimp from Magood Seafood on Shem Creek, I couldn't resist a photo of this preening pelican and the Cooper River Bridge. While not strictly in Charleston, it sure is a glimpse of Charleston.
This very cool looking "Independence-variant littoral combat ship" is the 6th naval vessel to be named after the city of Charleston. It will be commissioned the USS Charleston at an event tomorrow.  It looks pretty good posing in front of the Cooper River Bridge.
When it was built, the Cooper River Bridge (ok, call it the Ravenel Bridge if you must) was the longest cable-stayed suspension bridge in the western hemisphere. Now, 13 years later, it is the third longest -- with the whole span measuring 2.485 miles or 4 kilometers. That makes it 40% of the Cooper River Bridge Run.
A beautiful view across the rooftops of Charleston, across to the Cooper River Bridge (well, the Ravenel Bridge, but we still call it the CRB). You can get this view by going up to The Watch, the Restoration's rooftop restaurant/bar on Wentworth Street.
The Ravenel Bridge, which crosses the Cooper River from Charleston to Mt. Pleasant, is a gorgeous bridge (and still referred by many as the Cooper River Bridge). A bit of trivia -- Arthur Ravenel, for whom the bridge is named, is the father of Thomas Ravenel, who is best known as the disgraced State Treasurer and star of the reality show Southern Charm.
The beautiful Cooper River Bridge (ok, the Ravenel Bridge). When it opened in 2005, it actually replaced two rickety, intimidating spans -- the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge (which opened in 1929) and the Silas N. Pearman Bridge (which opened in 1966).  It is currently the third longest cable-stayed suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere.
The Ravenel Bridge, aka the Cooper River Bridge, aka THE Bridge in Charleston at sunrise.
The Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge links Charleston to Mt. Pleasant. Many people who have lived in Charleston prior to its construction just call it the Cooper River Bridge, as its predecessors were referred to. Whatever you want to call it, it's spectacular.
A beautiful view of Charleston Harbor and the Ravenel/Cooper River Bridge.
Pre-dawn on the Cooper River in Charleston. The beautiful bridge and a wonderful dolphin.
A spectacular view of the Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge in Charleston at sunset.
A spectacular view of the Charleston peninsula, harbor and the Cooper River Bridge.
An aerial view of the Ravenel (Cooper River Bridge) in Charleston, SC. Wow.
The skyline of Charleston, SC has a very low profile, which allows for long panoramic views -- including the beautiful Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge.
The sunset as seen from the top of the Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge in Charleston, SC.
The early morning sun over Charleston Harbor illuminates the Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge.
The Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge in Charleston, SC is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world.
The Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge in Charleston, SC is a spectacular place to go for a walk or bike ride. Wonderful views of Charleston, its harbor and the surrounding areas.
The sun rising over Charleston Harbor, illuminating the wonderful Cooper River Bridge.
The Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge in Charleston, SC is spectacular at night.
The Ravenel Bridge, which spans the Cooper River -- connecting Charleston, SC and Mt. Pleasant, is one gorgeous bridge.
The view of Charleston Harbor from Waterfront Park is spectacular -- sailing ships, an aircraft carrier and a wonderful bridge.
An amazing bridge, an historic aircraft carrier, a tall-masted schooner and pelicans soaring over it all = Charleston Harbor.
The longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western hemisphere, the Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge in Charleston, SC is a beauty.
A different view of the peninsula of Charleston, SC -- across the marshes and river from James Island.... all the way to the Ravenel Bridge.
The Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge on a glorious March Charleston day.
One of the towers of the Ravenel or Cooper River Bridge as seen from the water