Charleston, SC

Today we visited Charleston, SC, a quaint southern town and the farthest south we go on this cruise.

I had a very early (8:00 am) meeting time today for my excursion to Patriots Point, home of the USS Yorktown and USS Lafferty museum ships.   Since the dining room did not open until 7, we decided to have breakfast in the buffet for a change. The Yorktown was docked across the bay from our ship.  In addition to many WWII and later airplanes, it had the actual Apollo 8 capsule (which the Yorktown picked up after it landed) and a mockup of Friendship 7, John Glenn's Mercury capsule.  The hanger deck of the Yorktown was filled with vintage WWII planes while the flight deck had jets from the 60's and later (picture on the right). 

Also alongside was the WWII destroyer Lafferty, known as the ship that wouldn't die. (Follow the link for details.)  It was hit several times, but the crew was able to put out the fires and save it.  I admit that I was so excited about touring the ship that I neglected to take a lot of pictures.  

Note: click on any picture to enlarge!

 While I was gone, Mary headed out to the local City Market to do some shopping. The market was just behind the US Customs House pictured on the right.    The pictures show a grey sky since it rained a bit while we were out, but both of us missed the heaviest showers. 

As we left Charleston this evening, we sailed past Fort Sumpter, where the first shot of the Civil War was fired. It's on a peninsula, but is isolated at high tide.  I was glad to be able to get a picture of it. 

Tonight was out last sail-away of this cruise since tomorrow is a sea day and then we dock in Brooklyn.   It's been a very enjoyable cruise!