The last 4 days, we did around 270 miles / 430 km and were still quite lucky with the weather. The route was more challenging in the sense that there were a lot of sections along highways that require some experience in long-distance cycling and good equipment (right tires, strong lights).
Today, first the usual maintenance (washing our clothes, shopping for the upcoming days).
In the afternoon, we booked a walking tour through the historic center (and our guide Jack was a very good storyteller). In the evening, we had some very nice tapas in Laurel (as a little counterpart to the breweries the last days :-)). Coming back to the tour – besides some scenic pictures of the town and our visit …
… also take-aways and related links from this tour for the interested reader:
The Mills House Hotel from 1853 that survived the destructions during Civil War.
St. Philip‘s Church, the oldest congregation in South Carolina.
Dock Street Theatre, originally founded in 1736. It was the first building in America dedicated exclusively to theatre.
Cabbage Row houses dating back to around 1720.
Typical Charleston single houses with their porches – and their small and long layout that supports the natural air-conditioning by the wind.
Castle Pickney and – historically more important – Fort Sumter during Civil War.
Some more history and links:
During the Revolutionary War, Charleston was first defended successfully in 1776 – in this siege the constructions with palmetto trees made an important difference and so this tree is represented in the Flag of South Carolina. In 1780, Charleston was sieged and conquered by the British.
H.L. Hunley – the first submarine to sink a battleship. Look also for the history of Lt. Dixon and his 20$ Gold coin.
And read the history of Robert Smalls, who freed himself and his family by capturing a confederate transport ship and became an important politician after Civil War.
Schöne und interessante Pause, tief in die Geschichte eingetaucht!
Isch das spannend all die Impressione chönne ds lese. Mi dünkt eifach das dir eher e Brauereitour machet statt en Velotour 🙂
Liebi Grüäss vom Seeland