Curled wisps of Spanish moss, draped over the branches of statuesque cypress, swaying back and forth; the wind in the willows. Inhaling the heady scent of jasmine mixed with freshly cut grass; stopping to linger for a full embrace.
An abundance of glistening green surrounding me – the leaves of palms, camellia and azalea bushes awake, washed, and polished by the rain’s droplets. A herd of sheep grazing on the manicured lawns of the gardens at Middleton Place; their bleats at a minimum during the breakfast hour, looking up at times to pose for a photograph.
At the backdrop: a plush of green and brown marsh grasses stretching to infinity, meeting with the grey cloud cover at a line of the horizon.
This is the Charleston I was greeted with in the morning, and it is the image I leave with of this charming historic city.
In the Mill, looking over the gardens of Middleton Place
Sheep in the gardens; marsh in the far distance
Camellia flower
Spanish moss over willow oaks
Marina Chetner 
What a great road trip, thank you for sharing Marina, A
Thanks Andy – it’s going well. Next stop – New Orleans! thanks for reading!
Looking forward to the next instalment, and all the posts to come from your new home!
I knew you’d like Charleston Marina. Thanks for sharing this snippet. 🙂
Adrian, it’s such a beautiful spot where we stayed. And to walk into gardens in the morning – I felt like I was in a fairytale. It is a lovely place. thanks!
Beautiful place!!!
it is very pretty – definitely loved walking into that greenery in the AM! Thanks!
Beautiful!
Thank you so much Roberto!
Nice Marina. I used to visit Charleston fairly regularly when I was working for the Navy Dept. It is a beautiful town.
hi Scott! It is a beauty and you’re lucky to have experienced it in depth. I’m looking forward to a lengthier return. We had the coconut layer cake – oh wow. Richness! Thank you!
Beautiful shots! Don’t know how beautiful after Hurricane Sandy comes flying through!
Thanks so much Karen! I think SC is safe from the storm – we felt the effects on this very day. Rain, winds, and cool temps… but added to the Wuthering Heights feel.
Gorgeous pictures Marina! Glad to read and see you’re enjoying your travels 😉
Thank you so much! Washington DC was such a quick trip but I look forward to returning, and will write more about it. Charleston is a contrast, and I just loved being in such natural surrounds. The US has so much to offer 🙂
I would love to visit, especially after your lovely images… 🙂
yes Syders – you must visit as I know you’d love it. History abounds and good shopping and food too. It’s a great part of the US! Thanks!
Sheep grazing about in South Carolina?! Wow! Great photos!
It was a funny story actually! When I first saw the sheep, I thought: “Wow, I cannot believe there are sheep grazing without supervision!” and got all photo-happy. After I had walked away, the herd ran right past me… I heard the crack of the whip… Seems the sheep had escaped their stables (attached to the gardens) and so they got into a bit of trouble. I was so happy to have seen them though! Thank you!
That looks idyllic, Marina. Your pictures are so lovely. Draping moss and grazing sheep – it looks very restful!
Thank you Karen! I walked into a magical garden – that’s how I felt when this world opened up to be from a walk through some wild greenery. It really made my day and has left a lasting impression of what I fell in love with about Charleston. Your camera would LOVE this area. Hope you might visit. Thank you!
Wow. What a beautiful place. I really must make an effort to get over to that area of the country. Thanks for the tour. – Rene
My pleasure Rene. It took me a while to get here too, and though it was for a short time, it will always be remembered… and revisited. We stayed away from downtown, and were surrounded by the nature in the photos. It’s an ideal way to see Charleston for the first time. Hope you get there soon! Thank you!
I’ve always wanted to visit Charleston. I have a friend who absolutely loves it there. She has been to visit there a couple of times. Another friend of mine has a brother who lives there and she thinks it’s a boring place to drive. Nothing but trees along the highway. She says not a variety of things. But you certainly found a variety of things.
Hi Karen! Once you get off the highway, you find beautiful plantation grounds, manicured gardens, and a downtown area that is cute but made more interesting for the historic houses that surround it. It’s a spot well worth visiting and to be honest, the oaks with Spanish moss are one of my favourite things about the South. Thanks!
Great picture of the avenue with the willow oaks covered in Spanish moss – seminal image:)
Roger, that was in fact a pathway. Everything is wider and more grand when you move South. The Plantation homes with their porches – don’t get me started! It’s grand and beautiful. Thanks!
It looks very English – lots of greenery and the sheep grazing, you could almost be in Devon!
It does and the influence has rubbed off 🙂 It’s a lovely way to travel and I look forward to going to Devon in future! Thanks Lucy!
Very charming, and nice imagery with your words!
Thanks fergiemoto – I appreciate that. 🙂
That’s beautiful! I could almost smell the air as I looked at your pictures. Enjoy your trip!
Thanks so much Gerard! It’s refreshing to reconnect with nature and its fragrances!
Such a charming place 🙂 Sometimes I imagine that maybe one day I will end up somewhere like this, lovely countryside, growing my own lavender and making my home made remedies: D
I can picture you now, with window boxes of lavender in a cute white house with a lovely herb garden too. Hard to imagine Charleston is so much like this, as well as a cute city!