Glimpses of Charleston

A local's eye view

Water

Some sailors heading home on the Ashley River at the end of a beautiful Charleston day. If they were looking for the closest drink, they could tie up at the City Marina and walk into Salty Mike's -- a Charleston classic.
The Low Battery under some stormy looking skies. In the distance, if you follow the rail, is the "Round Holiday Inn" -- once named, to much controversy, the ugliest building in South Carolina. Do you know it? What do you think?
Colonial Lake is a beautiful spot to be in the early morning. The lake is connected to the Ashley River and its levels are generally driven by the tide, but there are now flood controls in place that can manage the water flow.
Early morning along Colonial Lake. The lake is named in honor of the Colonial Commons Act of 1768, which set aside the land for public use. Before its name was officially in 1881, it was simply called the Rutledge Street Pond, or "The Pond." It's a great place for a walk or run... or just to sit and watch the others go by.
While walking along the Low Battery and the Ashley River, I had the pleasure of watching this pod of bottlenose dolphins put on quite the show -- fully leaping out of the water, twisting, spinning and then waving their tails in the air. No matter how many times you see them, it's always a pleasure to see dolphins.
The usual view of the High Battery in the early evening is a bit different with a crane in/on the water. It is part of the $1 million effort to restore the riprap -- stones that that help protect the Battery's foundation from storm surges and other water action -- that were stripped away by the remnants of Hurricane Irma. The effort consists of spreading 7,800 tons of granite rock along the Battery's base.
The Ashley River in the late afternoon. It's a very vibrant environment full of life. While dolphin and pelican sightings are common, I recently spotted a large river otter swimming along -- a sighting I haven't had in a few years.
The evening sky, as seen from the Low Battery. The street that runs along here, Murray Boulevard, is named in honor Andrew B. Murray -- who, in the early 1900's, was one of the driving forces for the reclamation of the 47 acres of marsh and river that the street now sits on.
The sun setting over the Ashley River -- one of the two which create the Charleston peninsula (the other being the Cooper River).
The waters along the High Battery get pretty choppy when a big storm blows in.
The Low Battery along Murray Boulevard is one of the great places in Charleston for running, walking, biking and strolling. Unfortunately, it's also one the places that storm water and super high tides can cause significant flooding. The effort to raise and protect this stretch from flooding is projected to cost about $60 million. 
This beautiful view is from Brittlebank Park along the Ashley River in downtown Charleston.
Prior to 1909 this area now comprising the Low Battery was water and marsh. 47 acres of land were reclaimed to create the area that now forms this part of the Charleston peninsula -- one of the great places to walk, fish, run and just sit.
This pretty lake and fountain are in Hampton Park, one of the largest public parks in Charleston.
A Coast Guard ship on the Ashley River  heading for its berth at the Coast Guard station at the foot of the Low Battery.
This idyllic scene is actually in downtown Charleston at Brittlebank Park, along the banks of the Ashley River. Charleston is full of such beauty.
The Low Battery runs from the Coast Guard Station at Tradd Street, along Murray Boulevard to where it runs into White Point Garden and the High Battery. One of the best spots to walk or run in Charleston.
Directly in front of this well situated bench lies Shutes Folly -- the island home of Castle Pinckney. Now privately owned, not much goes on there, but it does fly a multitude of flags.
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.
Brittlebank Park is one of the great public spaces in Charleston. With wonderful views of the Ashley River, it's a nice spot to bring the kids (it has a really good playground), go fishing (there's a pier) or just sit and look at the beauty.
This building, right next to Waterfront Park, is home to the Charleston Harbor Pilots. Dating back to 1890, the Charleston Branch Pilot's Association, has always called Adgers Wharf home.
Not only does it have fantastic water views along the Ashley River, the Marina Variety Store Restaurant (MVSR) also serves Glimpses' favorite breakfast in Charleston. Located at the City Marina on Lockwood Boulevard, it's the place to be for the most important meal of the day.
Being part of the Lowcountry sometimes makes life in Charleston a little wet. The King Tide causing flooding, but also creates a gorgeous mirror some for some of the local palmetto trees. 
Now that Christmas is over, here's some Charleston light to brighten the way to the new year...
A gorgeous morning view at the City Marina on Lockwood Boulevard. Not a bad thing to find at the end of the rainbow.
Flooding has always been a part of Charleston life. The frequency is increasing, as any heavy rain and many high tides result in blocked streets. Here Ashley Avenue, along the Horse Lot, is submerged during a recent heavy downpour.
When it rains really hard in Charleston, it floods. As hard as they try to prevent it, it happens... it's just a reality of living in the Lowcountry. Ashley Avenue is a prime spot for pop-up lakes.
A beautiful bowsprit on the Spirit of South Carolina, a fantastic handcrafted schooner which docks at the Charleston Maritime Center.
One of the coolest Christmas trees in Charleston is this one made of lights which lives in the middle of Colonial Lake.
This photo of the Low Battery and Ashley River is taken from the Fort Sumter House. Once a hotel (the Fort Sumter Hotel), John F. Kennedy stayed there while in the Navy... prior to heading to the Pacific and taking command of PT109.
A spectacular view of the Charleston peninsula, harbor and the wonderful Cooper River Bridge.
A beautiful evening in Charleston, SC following tropical storm Colin skirting the city. Reflections are captured in Colonial Lake.
The man-made beauty of Charleston is matched by the beauty of the natural environment and its residents. Here some egrets are disputing who should have the prime fishing spot.
A spectacular view of the Charleston peninsula, harbor and the Cooper River Bridge.
Located at the mouth of Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter played a strategic role in the city's defense. It's most famous for being where the first shots of the American Civil War took place. This aerial view gives a great perspective on the fort's layout.
A pelican watching the sun come up at the City Marina in Charleston, SC. Beautiful.
The sun rising over Charleston Harbor is captured through the rigging of the three-masted schooner Pride.
This beautiful sculpture of seabirds over water is a new addition to Charleston, SC.
Whether walking on the sidewalk or sailing on the river, it's always wonderful being on the Low Battery in Charleston, SC.
The sun rising over the USS Yorktown reflecting on Charleston Harbor, as a dolphin comes up for a breath of air. Beautiful.