The Wandering Souls of Charleston

Hibernian Hall Gate and Lantern, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


It is said there are ghosts in Charleston, restless souls wandering in a nebulous in between world. There are some people who have actually seen them, and certain places are known for sightings.

You can take a ghost tour in the evening, or wander the lamp lit streets at night on your own, if you dare. But tonight there are sure to be ghosts, ghouls and goblins on the streets and cobblestoned alleyways of Old Charleston,
 for it is Halloween.

Rutledge House Inn

Balcony Ironwork, Rutledge House Inn, Charleston, SC
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)


The golden hue of sunset bathes balcony ironwork on the Rutledge House Inn. John Rutledge headed the drafting committee for the US Constitution (1763), and later signed the document with his fellow founding fathers. In 1791 George Washington came to Charleston, and ate breakfast here with Mrs. Elisabeth Rutledge. Today the house is an inn overlooking Broad Street
 in the heart of the historic district.

Pier with a View

Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier, Folly Beach, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


Dawn breaks over the Atlantic Ocean, where one has an ideal view from the Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier. The pier, located on Folly Beach, the self proclaimed "Edge of America", is the second longest pier on the east coast.

This image is the cover shot for Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission's Landmark Pier brochure.

The Ruins of Sheldon Church

Old Sheldon Church Ruins, Yemassee, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Velvia slide film)



About an hour drive south of Charleston are the ruins of Old Sheldon Church. It was built during the colonial era (1753) in Greek Revival style and served the plantations of Prince William Parish. It was burnt by the British during the American Revolution (1779), and rebuilt soon after the war only to feel the devastating effects of General Sherman's March through South Carolina during the American Civil War (1865).

These days the ruins are much more peaceful. They are a popular venue for outdoor weddings, picnics, and a favorite subject of photographers.

Awareness II

Custom House, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)


The Custom House, aglow with pink, 
honors National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Behind the Gate

Ornate Gate, St. Michael's Church, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


In Charleston, behind gates, adventure awaits.

Skimmers

Black Skimmers, Sullivan's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)


The Atlantic Ocean and a variety beaches are a short drive from Charleston.
 In this image a flock of Black Skimmers follows a line of waves 
on Sullivan's Island.

Charleston Gems

Cherub Fountain and Garden, Charleston, SC 
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Velvia slide film)


Charleston has much to enjoy...
world class restaurants, resorts and inns,
an Old World ambiance of narrow cobblestone streets
 and 18th century buildings,
significant American history,
proximity to the ocean...
and the gardens, a favorite of mine,
are lush green gems that flourish throughout the city.


 

Across the Harbor

Shrimp Boats and Gull, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Across the harbor from Charleston is Shem Creek, in the town of Mt. Pleasant. Here is the perfect place at day's end to watch an assortment of boats coming and going, as well as gulls, egrets and pelicans. Afterwards, take in one of the many restaurants that line the docks.
As you might imagine, fresh fish is the specialty.

Number One in the World

Waterfront Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Charleston keeps moving up the best hits chart, this time to the very top spot... Conde Nast Traveler magazine just voted Charleston the number one travel destination in the world. That is remarkable, considering all the amazing places there are to see around the globe (as seen in your blogs,
 from around your homes!)

Charleston was noted by readers of the magazine for its "overall ambiance, culture and sites, friendliness, lodging, restaurants and shopping".

For me, I am fortunate to have played a tiny part in this by suppling Charleston's travel industry with pretty but practical images for its marketing over the past 11 years through my website, Hue and Eye Photography and Design. You can see recent samples down the right hand column of my blog
 (yes, that sound you heard was me tooting my horn).

Nature's Wisdom

Autumn Colors after an Evening Thunderstorm, Cades Cove,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)



After the storm... rejuvenating light.

Skyway and the Moon

Autumn Mountain Side, Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Velvia slide film)


Brilliant midday sunlight illuminates an autumn mountainside along the Cherohala Skyway, a 43 mile scenic highway in western North Carolina. It is a dazzling sight in October. Even the moon, from 286,000 miles away, peeks above the horizon to glimpse the earthly spectacle!

New Occupant

Abandoned Stone Building, near Celo, North Carolina
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Where people once lived, Mother Natured moved in.

Moooooving Experience

Cow in Autumn, Near Burnsville, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


Even bovines enjoy experiencing fall colors.

Blue Mountain Mood

Evergreens in Fog, near Newfound Gap,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


Blue mists rise through mountain coves
 enveloping silent evergreens.


Speaking of blue... an image I shot for the Charleston Visitor's Bureau 
is featured in the JetBlue to Charleston Promo.

Appalachian Autumn

Autumn Maples, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Behind a swatch of glowing maple saplings
 spreads a quilt of gold
 down a mountain cove,
 away into the distance.

Undulating Fence

Wooden Fence and Cabin, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


A slight undulation in a fence pattern makes a worthy foreground for an old cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Now and Then

Circular Church and St. Philip's Church, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Although this is a contemporary view of Charleston's skyline, it could also be one from pre-Civil War days, before the cannon balls of the Union siege and the earthquake of 1886 forever altered the Holy City landscape. Charleston is called the Holy City for the numerous church steeples that dominate its low skyline and for the 400 places of worship condensed in its small city limits.

On a slightly different topic, Wholly Cow sells deliciously rich ice cream on Church Street near the Market.
And holy cow!, I'll have you know it tastes divine!

Cave Art?

Rocky Outcrop in a Road Cut, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved  (Velvia slide film)


A quartzite vein in exposed metamorphic rock
reminds me of a prehistoric cave painting.
Or is my imagination running wild!?

Lush Window Box

Window Box, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Velvia slide film)


A warm humid climate means long growing seasons in the Lowcountry,
 hence window boxes lush with flowers and vines.
This is our compensation for not having traditonal autumn color.

Autumn Song

West Prong Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)


A cold stream murmurs, birds make their last calls of the season, and wind rustles dry leaves in the cool crisp air...
it is the song of autumn echoing in the mountains.

How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

Dog and Horse Fine Art Gallery at Twilight, Church Street, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


$4000.

But, how could you not adore this little fellow
 hanging in your house?

(Painting title is Bentley, by Steve Morrell.
Art galley is the Dog and Horse.
Post title is the name of a popular 1950's song sung by Patti Page)

Morning on the Fondamenta

Morning on a Canal in Dorsoduro, Venice, Italy  
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved (Velvia slide film)


A quite morning on a canal in Dorsoduro finds walkers strolling along the fondamenta (canal walkway). The fondamenta serve as foundations for the ancient buildings of Venice.

A Touch of Heaven

Dawn, Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved (Velvia slide film)


On a chill autumn morning, dawn suffuses the sky with warm hues. From atop Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the still air was so cold my fingers could barely operate the camera. Yet, there was such an unmatched sense of peace and tranquility, a touch of heaven.

Timelessness

St. Michael's Reflection in City Hall Window, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


At Charleston's "Four Corners of Law", a symbol of God's Law (St. Michael's Church) is reflected in the window of a symbol of Man's Law (City Hall). The image has an ageless aspect... it could represent the modern era or 150 years ago when Charleston was at the epicenter of the American Civil War. Or even further back during its antebellum times. This sense of timelessness is augmented by the ghostly appearance of the city's iconic colonial church in the window.

Spiked Coffee

Sign, The Gnu's Room Coffee and Books, Auburn, Alabama
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved (Click on image for larger view)



In Auburn you can keep up with the latest news at The Gnu's Room
 while sipping coffee with a splash of whiskey....
that's a Saturday with oomph!

A Fine But Improbable Balance

Hanging Shaker Chair (Image Inverted), Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved  (Velvia slide film)


A Shaker chair poised on a wall peg seemingly defies gravity.

If you're feeling confused, you may want to view this while standing on your head...

Three French Windows

Three French Windows, Elliott Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)


Wandering the streets of Charleston during the quiet of daybreak is usually rewarding for photographers. Catching the morning light just right transforms an ordinary scene into something magical. I like the way this old brick wall frames these three French windows. The slanting light adds a pleasant patina of warmth and texture.

Bonsai Bonanza

Bonsai Tree, North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, NC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The Carolina Bonsai Expo is held October 13th and 14th at the North Carolina Arboretum. If you enjoy bonsai, this event will be a bonanza for you.

By the way, don't sigh if you spy the shy Thai guy with a bonsai on the lanai.
Just say hi, then wave bye.

Evening Glow

Lamp on South Battery and Clouds, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)



A lamp glows at twilight along Charleston's South Battery while the evening's last light colors clouds hanging above the harbor.

Passing the Time of Day

Great Egret, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Cloud watching.