charleston: part ii

As you may have realized in charleston: part i, the historic buildings were beautiful, from the curling wrought-iron gates to the kaleidoscopic hues.  Dave put it this way: "You know a city is beautiful when you even want to photograph the parking garages." 

But we actually spent more time outside of downtown, at parks, beaches and gardens.  On our first day there, we hit up the Lowcountry Cajun Festival at James Island County Park.  After wandering the food booths — fried alligator? no, thanks. — and lounging in the grass listening to zydeco music, we went rambling along some of the nature trails.  The blooming flowers and romantic, draping spanish moss we saw throughout our trip sent me into an early bout of spring allergies, but the scenery was definitely worth it.