Tastes of Charleston

Most of the reliable guidebooks to Charleston advise that in order to get to know the South Carolinian 'Lowcountry,' you have to get out of the city, out onto the marshy lowlands and the ocean itself.  In other words, don't just get stuck walking around the French Quarter of the city looking for your next meal the whole while ...."get out on the water!" Flying over Charleston in an approach to the city, it becomes obvious that what truly dominates the scene isn't merely the city on the peninsula, but the networks of nearly perfectly cut water trails through the lush

green high rising flora and fauna, as well as the nearby 65 degree wave-lapping beaches.  As  

Folly Beach, 15 minutes away from downtown Charleston

our resident trip advisor for this vacation, I thought the kayaking tour around the Middleton Place might suit us well,

a place that is recognized as an ongoing symbol of the low country.  Middleton is internationally acclaimed not only for its history (family as members of original Continental Congress, and a Signer of the Declaration of Independence), but for its gardens, considered the oldest and finest in America.  What better way to get to know the 110 acres (65 acre garden), than kayaking around its outskirts in among the man made rice fields (alligators included) and tidal marshes guided by Captain Luke, whose website Heart Marsh Outfitters begins with the only three words you need to know: "Nature-History-Adventure" ...

Middleton Place Trail Network

Garden grounds overlooking the creek we just kayaked

Dinner bell...sounds familiar

Further along the tour – for those of us who like water, history, adventure, nature, but are still looking for their next meal – there happens to be quaintest little restaurant on this side of the Ashley River,

where the tea is sweet and the shrimp and grits, the local meal, would be hard to imagine better at any old Husk, SNOB, Grill 225 or 39 Rue de Jean.