Four Day Staycation in Charleston

Charleston is a lot more than galleries, theaters and restaurants.  There are so many interesting places you can go and it won't cost you an arm and a leg (what a ridiculous saying).  Here is a summary of what I did for my four day work staycation.

Thursday I spent an hour walking around in Johnson Hagood Stadium and on campus.  I had a pretty good time taking photos of stadium seats (don't ask me why), a huge metal bulldog and buildings with turrets.

From there I went to Hampton Park and photographed magnolias.  I am not a huge magnolia fan because I see them adorning everything from shirts to jewelry to plates.  Yet, what do people ask me?  "Do you have any pictures of magnolias?"  "No."  I would answer.  Fortunately for me, some were I still in bloom.  If you want to see them, do it soon.  They are wilting quickly.

After a quick meeting about doing a show in Earthfare's cafe, scheduled for August and September (blatant plug), I returned to Hampton Park to do a shoot for an artist who has a commission to paint the gazebo. 

As I walked around Hampton Park I enjoyed looking at all the beautiful plantings.  People were feeding the ducks and geese.  Others were walking or running on the paths.  Some were lying out in the sun.  The fountain and bridge has always been the centerpiece and was looking pretty good.  Not a bad place to visit for free.

Friday was a 12 hour day.  I was "art sitting" for the Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm.  I then had to rush down to Church Street to set up for the First Friday Art Walk.  It was nice being around art all day but still a long day.  I was looking forward to Saturday.

Saturday I was up before the sun and taking photos at the city marina.  I was actually on a bagel run (10 miles round trip) to Brueggers.  Yeah, I know I could have gone to Panera Bread but I stick with what I know and like.  It is closer and I would have helped save the planet if I used less gas...anyway, even tree-huggers have to take a break. 

Needing a breath mint after eating a garlicy, everything bagel, we headed to the Piccolo Spoleto Arts and Crafts Fair.  We got in free with a card we found at the public library.  No, don't run over there.  This weekend was the end of the show.  It was very pleasant because, for the first time in years, it was not blazing hot.  For the second or third year in a row I could not find what I wanted.

After the fair, we stopped at the Second Presbyterian Church's Tea Room to have lunch.  You could certainly tell you were in the south.  One gentleman was wearing a blue and white seersucker suit with a bow tie and white bucks.  Rhett Butler eat your heart out.  The band played music from the early 1900s.  It was pretty entertaining.

After the arts and crafts show, my wife and I walked and around and, yep, you guessed it.  We spent about an hour taking pics on Charlotte and Alexander Streets.

On the way to pick up our car, we stopped at the Gaillard to pick up some tickets.  While my wife handled that, I looked at some items for sale in the lobby.  I bought a Piccolo Tee.  It reminded me of shirts I have seen kids wearing that say, "I went to Disney World and all I got was this cheap ass shirt."  Well, maybe it didn't say it quite that way but...mine was not cheap.  $22 for a cheap ass shirt ain't exactly cheap.  I was tired of going home empty-handed. 

Later, we went to dinner at Cork in North Charleston.  We have been there about three times now.  We used a Groupon and it was well worth the short drive and the wait.  And of course, I dropped a card to be given to the person coordinating the hanging of art at their restaurant.  I never quit working.

We got home at 10 pm and ended up watching part of a horror movie with Sigourney Weaver and some really bad actors.  The alien being had better acting skills than most of the others even when it was drooling or having another alien shoot out of its mouth.  They should show that at Spoleto.  Can you imagine the line of EMS vehicles lined up at the Sotille Theater?

Sunday we headed out to Kiawah and the Charleston County Beachwalker Park.  Yep, I had another everything bagel and left a trail of garlic fumes down 17S.  The ride was beautiful.  We never get tired of canopy roads.  The temp was just right and the sky was a deep blue due to low humidity.  There was narry a cloud to be seen.  We had a nice walk down the beach and back and yes, we were taking photos.  I told you before, I never quit working...and I love it.

We came home for lunch and did what we always do when we get home.  We made a beeline for our almost identical Toshiba laptops and downloaded our pics.  We rummaged through the fridge, freezer and pantry and had a light international meal.  Then back to the computers to continue looking at our treasures.

Tonight, I just got back from the reception for the Piccolo Spoleto Art Exhibition.  No, I did not get a ribbon or a check this time.  Oh well, you can't win 'em all.   Check out the photos of the last four days.  Believe me a four day working staycation in Charleston is tough duty.  Maybe I should get a shirt made that reads, "will work for bagels."  At leasr then I would have some dough.

Michael Kaynard is a local photographer in West Ashley.  His photos can be seen at http://kaynardphotography.webs.com.  He can be contacted at mkaynard@gmail.com.