The 'Edge of America'

There is a place in South Carolina nicknamed the 'Edge of America.' Without googling it, do you know where it is?

We've spent a few nice days in the Charleston area. This has been on my bucket list for a long time and it didn't disappoint. It reminds me somewhat of Savannah with maybe a little New Orleans thrown in. We visited all the things on our list that we wanted to including City Market, The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, Old Slave Mart, King Street and of course Fort Sumter. Thankfully these places were open but the restrictions were reasonable.

Sweetwater Baskets

Our visit to this area correlated with Juneteenth so how apropos .. the end of slavery celebrated in a city where slavery once thrived. Did you know that 40% of all slaves entered the U.S. at Charleston? That slaves were once sold in the streets until that was banned and it needed to be done indoors? I wouldn't say those museums were fun but necessary to fully understand that time period and how important it was to Charleston. 

Slave Mart

We enjoyed browsing at City Market and saw vendors making sweetwater baskets. I had no idea that they command $250 and up though they are pretty cool. (No I didn't get one). On a more cost effective note, I did purchase a package of benne wafers and thought they were pretty good. 

We had a beautiful day for a boat ride and visit to Fort Sumter. I think $24 per person is steep to visit a free National Park but we did it. You may recall I have a National Park passbook and collect the medallions. (You know ... all the kids do it). 

We had lunch at Hyman's on Meeting Street. Now truly .. what is not to like about hush puppies and crab cakes? Mango also had buffalo shrimp which was really good. 

Fort Sumter

The campground we stayed at was quiet and uneventful. It was a 25 minute drive from downtown and worked out well for adventuring. Probably wouldn't stay there again but that's another whole story. I've taken up writing reviews of campgrounds and restaurants. I have a collection in Yelp called Mango and June and am at 48 reviews written. I haven't been as faithful with campground reviews, 39 to date but we've been to 74. Yes, I'll get better at that.

So, the Edge of America? Folly Beach on Folly Island. It's a tourist trap not unlike Tybee Island. We had a really nice afternoon. We walked the beach for awhile til our paid parking expired. On the Mango and June beach scale it rates a 5.2. (You have to remember we live across the street from best beach in Florida so the grading scale is quite steep.)

Next, we're on to Columbia and another national park.