I'll say there's nothing finer

So I just returned from 4 days in Charleston and here are pics (some craft-related, some not):

The Angel Oak tree was gorgeous. It's a massive oak tree that is estimated at 1500 years old. In the second of the two tree pics, you can see me standing at the base of the tree, which will give you an example of how huge this was.

Outside the gift shop at the Angel Oak, I purchased a sweetgrass basket from this crafter, Eva Wright. Eva is out in the South Carolina heat (and humidity!) creating and selling her handmade baskets 4 days a week 8 months out of the year. Sweetgrass basketmaking is a traditional West African craft- brought to South Carolina by slaves- that is carried on today. Read more about this traditional craft here.

I found more of these baskets at the downtown market in Charleston. This place was a total tourist trap and unfortunately not much of the goods for sale looked handmade other than the baskets. More pics below.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Charleston is something of a beach city (three of the four days we were at either the beach, boat or pool). It's a very weird mix (that works) of European, Caribbean, and Southern influences. The architecture was amazing, and I loved the huge colorful houses with rambling porches.

The friends we stayed with took us to some amazing restaurants including:

Cru Cafe

Five Loaves

Yo Burrito

McCrady's Wine Bar

Al di La

Melvin's

It was a really nice trip and I was really glad to be away from my A/C-less house for most of last week's heat wave.

Comments

[atelier455]

It took me a while to spot you in that picture of you and the oak tree - you're so tiny and very well camouflaged!

[Kathleen]

Oh, I just love Charleston. I was there about two years ago. That outdoor market is great, and the architecture, and the food...glad you had a nice time!

[Tsoniki]

I just found your blog via 52 Projects. I live in Charleston - well north in Summerville actually. Thanks for linking the restaurants, it gives us a few new ones to check out!

And yeah, the market is a TOTAL tourist trap.

:)

[rifferaff]

It was a very pretty city, and truly one of a kind.

Joanna, the tree was massive, if I had known I'd be posing in front of it I wouldn't have worn all brown. :)

Tsoniki, I'd recommend Five Loaves above and beyond the others. They have a-mazing salads, soups and sandwiches.