April 30, 2010

charleston, how do i love thee?

Let me count the ways.

This city has been on my go-to list for quite a while, and it did not disappoint.

I honestly don't even know where to begin or how to group the photos.

Should I group by color?


By street?


I wonder what my hubby will say when I tell him I think we should replace our paved driveway with cobbles.

Actually, I don't wonder at all. I'm pretty sure I know.


Should I group my photos by paths, drives and alleys that run perpendicular to the sidewalk where I am standing?


Or perhaps by really cool stuff growing up, out of, or all over even cooler stuff.


Speaking of growing things, more than a few houses had this lovely feature.


I wonder what my hubby will say when I tell him I want our wooden steps replaced with brick steps so I can grow perfectly manicured greenery along the risers.

Pretty sure I know the answer to that one, too.

Should I group by houses with an extra splash of personality?


Or by houses with owners who don't like tourists?


How about by amazingly gorgeous and grand houses.


Or perhaps by houses that are not quite so grand, but still beautiful in their own right.


Then, of course, we have the gardens.


When we visited the plantation, we were told we were there on the peak azalea weekend. We certainly couldn't have planned that if we'd tried.


Charleston was beautiful. Every single house and garden was a treat to see. I would have thought there would be a clunker or two, here and there, but not so.

My very favorite part of Charleston, and what I will remember most, has to be the windowboxes.


In fact, one day I may go back and photograph a book entitled, "The Windowboxes of Charleston".

Would you buy a book like that?

Yeah, me neither.


They were all quite different, yet equally appealing.


Usually, I'm drawn to colorful flower displays, but for some reason, this was one of my very favorites. The creamy white brick, combined with the black shutters, different shades of green and chartreuse, (I am not normally a fan of chartreuse in the garden), just made for a striking combination.


Whew! Is anyone still with me?

We spent at least a part of three different days walking miles through the streets of Charleston.

We also spent at least a part of three different days trying out various and assorted ice cream flavors. My favorite by far was the Coconut from Kilwin's. It was amazing. Apparently, Kilwin's is a chain, but alas, not one is to be found in my neck of the woods.

So sad.

All I can say to wrap up this photo tour is, if architecture, history, gardens, churches, quaintness, grandness, and beautiful agedness is up your alley, then Charleston is the place for you.

Charleston.....I will be back!

40 comments:

  1. Charleston is on my "wishlist of places I want to visit" along with Savannah! One of these days hopefully I'm gonna be able to cross Charleston off of my list. Beautiful photos Teresa.

    xo
    LeAnn

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! Gorgeous photos! What kind of camera do you use? I always love the photos on your blog! I have never been to Charlston but I must go!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oooooh, I do love Charleston. Only been there once, but I will never forget it. I really want to go back.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful images every.single.one. I hope you enjoyed your stay.
    Charleston is full of inspiration everywhere you look and after seeing all of those black doors, maybe I should leave mine black?
    Do you by chance know what the little vine is that grows across the steps?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sure am glad that I found your blog with this post of beautiful Charleston. We have been twice just for short weekend trips and I long to go back. I would love to see more of it and visit some of the plantations. I have got to talk hubby into it. Your photos are just wonderful. I love those cobblestone streets and the gorgeous homes and gardens. Those window boxes make me want to do them on my house. Thanks for sharing your trip.

    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  6. Charleston is 90 minutes away from me! We could have met up, but you probably don't know I follow your blog. Your photos are gorgeous! This April was the perfect time to visit. We have had a month of gorgeous days; it's made me feel like my heart could burst out of my chest. It's warming up near 90 tomorrow and a bit steamy; I don't want to think about it. Right now, the windows are open and fans are on and it's a cool breezy night! Glad you had a good time in South Carolina.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful photos! I really loved the window box photos-- very inspiring! Charleston seems to have charmed you, and I can totally see why!
    Hugs,
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  8. Charleston looks absolutely beautiful! And it sounds like you enjoyed your visit! Thank you for sharing your pictures. I would love to visit there some day. I do like chartreuse. I plant sweet potato vine in among my potted flowers just for a splash of that color.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I feel like I have now been to Charleston...what great and beautiful photos!! I now hope to physically visit there one day. Thank you for taking us along with you!

    Hugs,
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  10. Several things come to mind -
    First...so good to see a post from you!
    Second - you don't like chartruese in the garden? Really?
    Third - I made awesome coconut ice cream, and when I come to Montana, I'll be packing my ice cream maker
    Fourth - I got some great windowbox ideas from this post - thankyaverymuch
    Fifth - I WANT TO GO TO CHARLESTOWN!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've always wanted to go there. The pictures you took are great...the window boxes are stunning! Glad you enjoyed yourself,
    Annette

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, Benji, we are twins!!! I love seeing some of the exact same things that I photographed a year ago...so cool that we walked the very same miles.

    ps - That's Kilwin's rocky road on the Rubester's face, by the way...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Stunning photos! I love the window boxes in particular. You are a wonderful photographer!

    ~Karla

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the breathtaking photo tour and YES, I would buy a book of photographed window boxes...if it was filled with your photographs. Stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awww...I miss it! Now that I'm back into the swing of real life, it feels like Charleston was a very, very long time ago. I like going back again with your pictures. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I can't decide which I like more Charleston or Savannah GA...but are perfect Southern Cities....

    ReplyDelete
  17. OMG, I'm in love. I have never been to this city, and it's been on my list for many years.. thank you for the beautiful photo tour, and I think I might have finally nailed down where I'de like to retire. Hopefully I'll get there before THAT!!!.... just LOVE your eye for a shot.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful! I need to go back and spend more time in the streets. You picked the perfect time of year to go. Savannah is another one.
    But I still love my Montana!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, my, what a great vacation. Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks a lot for sharing the beautiful pictures! I feel I got to be there too! :) GREAT shots you took and what beauty! You have a good way of capturing that through your lens. Kudos! Thanks for inspiring. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I got to spend a week in the Charleston area back in 1998. While I was there I had an opportunity to take a candlelight tour of historic homes and churches - unbelievable!! This place is full of eye candy! But my favorite thing - all the small enclosed outdoor gardens that were like "secret gardens", the cobblestone walks and drives, etc.

    Thanks for sharing! No doubt you had a great time!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh how pretty to have greenery growing from the steps. I know my groundskeeper would tend to it for me and keep it perfectly manicured.

    Charleston looks gorgeous!!

    Di

    ReplyDelete
  23. Awesome pictures, So pretty! Love the ivy on the steps.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Charleston is one of my favorite places in the world! Lucky girl! I haven't been in 4 years and really want to go back. And your photos are beautiful as always, and capture it perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I get to go at the end of May, I was excited before this post, but now I am beyond excited! Beautiful photos!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I've never been to Charleston but by your photos I think it's about time I did! Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  27. We went on a romantic getaway to Charleston 3 years ago and absolutely loved it! Your photos are lovely and really capture the beauty found there so well!

    I enjoy popping over here so much! Glad you had a great time and hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

    Blessings,
    Becky

    ReplyDelete
  28. I call Charleston "home". Currently and for the past two years I have lived in Western PA, and everyone says "WHY WOULD U MOVE FROM THERE????"

    I guess I "get it" but this post helps me to better understand the reason for that question! and also makes me miss home a little more!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh.my.gosh. Heaven, that's what that is. I can't wait to go myself but this is the next best thing. Your pictures? gorgeous! I guess that will have to do for now!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Just got back from Charleston this afternoon. I even took some of the same shots you did and agree.... Charleston is a shutterbug dream.

    ReplyDelete
  31. What gorgeous pictures!!!! Charleston is one of my favorite cities,also!! You captured it's beauty so well. I love your blog with all the beautiful pictures. Makes me want to go back to Charleston soon!

    ReplyDelete
  32. WOW!!! I want to move. The Pacific North West is pretty... but WOW!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I actually WOULD buy the book of windowboxes! They're one of my favorite things...I love to see how they are done in different areas. Those photos would make a lovely calendar and I would buy that too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. sigh, shutters that actually have purpose, cobblestone paths, really great photography

    ReplyDelete
  35. What great photos! Thanks for sharing the beautiful city of Charleston. Those boxes are fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm so glad you liked our City and you captured some of the best shots!

    The vine on the steps is "FIG Vine". It grows perfectly flat against surfaces so there is not a lot of upkeep!

    The flower boxes are gorgeous and most were planted last fall. I imagine most of those flowers have or will be torn out shortly (I know, hard to believe) and replaced with summer annuals that will take the heat and humidity.

    Fall is also a great time to visit and one of the coolest things to do is go on one of the many ghost walks, some through cemeteries dating back to the 1600's and dungeons and haunted mansions!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love the pink and cream house!! I need it. And yes, your book of window boxes would sell....quickly.

    Looks like a fun trip.

    ReplyDelete
  38. One of my MOST favorite US cities! I was there at the end of January and even in winter, it's just so quaint and lovely. I love the DETAILS everywhere....in the architecture, flowers, streets. Your pics are fantastic, too!

    ReplyDelete
  39. OH MY! How breathtakingly beautiful. I can understand why you love Charleston so much. It's like a fairytale for the home and garden obessed!(like me). Your photos are stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Teresa,

    Thank you so much for this post. I thoroughly enjoyed your tour and so appreciate your beautiful photographs. I have never been to Charleston but have added it to my "to go" list! Was it very hot?

    Deborah

    ReplyDelete