Mist of Winter

Saint Michael's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A winter morning along Charleston's Braod Street
 envelopes Saint Michael's steeple in a veil of mist.

Summer Hues

East Bay Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



In the heart of summertime, Rainbow Row
 is alive with vibrant hues for all eyes to see.

Vintage Charleston

East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Piazzas, wrought iron balconies, pastel colors,
fresh blooms, and Palmetto trees adorn Charleston's
High Battery in the summertime.

Battery Walk

East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A stone paved sidewalk runs past antebellum mansions
 along Charleston's East Battery, catching
 the morning light on a summer morning.

Stonework

Stonework, Charleston, SC   © Doug Hickok



Ornately carved stonework decorates the inside of a mausoleum
 in Charleston's historic Magnolia Cemetery.

Summer Light

Tradd Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Sunlight on a summer morning
 paints row houses along Tradd Street
 in one of the older sections of the historic district.



 

Medieval Monastery

Columns, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome, Italy
© Doug Hickok



Twisting columns decorated with mosaics comprise
 the 13th century monastic cloister of a
Roman Catholic basilica outside of Rome, Italy.



 

Port City

Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Charleston's port is one of the busiest on the East Coast.
Here the Ravenel Bridge provides a backdrop
for a container ship and a cruise ship in Charleston Harbor.

French Quarter Tour

Saint Philip's Churchyard, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A wrought iron gate provides an ornate contrast
 to a sauntering carriage in Charleston's French Quarter.

Enduring Stone

Colosseum, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok



The Colosseum still stands in the Roman Forum
 after enduring nearly 2000 years of history.
I wonder what architectural wonders of today
 will last into the distant future.

Vintage Charleston

Vintage Artwork, Blossoms Restaurant, Charleston, SC  
© Doug Hickok



At a restaurant near Charleston's waterfront,
a vintage photo from the 19th century
 shows bails of cotton ready to ship at the port.

Hope for a Better Year

Avenue of Oaks, Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok



Entering a New Year is like taking a road
 not traveled before. Let's hope the unforeseen path
that lies ahead is full of joy and adventure.

Up the Creek

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC   © Doug Hickok



A boater returns to safe harbor on Shem Creek at days end.

Mission Evening

Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tucson, Arizona   © Doug Hickok



Dusk envelopes crosses at an old Spanish Mission
 on a Native American reservation in Arizona.



  

Slow Walking

Finial Ironwork, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Walking slowly through Charleston's historic district
 encourages me to look closely at the city's 18th and 19th
 century architecture, and to find ornate gems,
 such as this finial detail and wrought iron fencing.

Arching Palm

Huguenot Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Sego palm fronds arch over a pathway in the cemetery
 of Charleston's French Huguenot Church.

Blooming Stone

Pathway, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Stones with floral designs surrounded by seashells
create a garden path in Charleston's historic district.

Gas Light

Large Lantern, Charleston, SC   © Doug Hickok



This large ornate lantern sits atop the Sword Gate,
one of Charleston's antebellum wrought iron masterworks.

State Emblem

State Flag Emblems, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



While strolling down an alleyway in the historic district,
 I came across this metal cutout in a courtyard garden
 that displays a palmetto tree with crescent moon,
the same symbols that are on our state flag.

Your Morning Exercise

East Battery, Charleston, SC   © Doug Hickok



A walk along the Battery promenade
 is a healthy way to start the day in Charleston.

The Harbor

Maritime Center, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Charleston has one of the east coast's busiest ports...
pictured here is a container ship leaving the harbor
 framed by the bowsprit of a tall ship
 docked at the Maritime Center.

Mansion Entry

Courtyard Entry, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A small garden courtyard precedes the entry
 into an old mansion in Charleston's historic district.

Golden Gate

Entry Gate, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A carpet of ginkgo leaves serves as a golden
 backdrop for this entry gate on Broad Street.

Strange Behavior

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas   © Doug Hickok



Prolonged desert heat can bring out strange behavior in humans,
inspiring them to arrange buried cadillacs in a neat row.

December Rose

Yellow Rose, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A rose bush is in full bloom along an alleyway in Charleston's
 historic district, just waiting for passersby to stop
 and smell it's lovely fragrance.

Muddy Sunset

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok



At the end of a work week, patrons gather at Shem Creek
 to unwind and enjoy a Lowcoutry sunset over the marshland.

Peaceful Presence

Live Oaks, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A pair of large live oaks provides plenty of shade
 and a peaceful presence in Charleston's Meditation Garden.

Rose Wreath

Wreath, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A wreath made of dried magnolia leaves and rose blossoms
 adorns a reddish door in the Historic District.
 Note the horse shoe above the entry,
a symbol of good luck and protection.

Gaillard Center

Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



The newly renovated performing arts center in Charleston
 features neo-classical architecture which echoes
 styles of the city's many historic buildings.

Ceramic Courtyard

Autumn Courtyard, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Ceramics decorate an outdoor dining area
 in a Charleston courtyard garden.

Folly Cross

Folly Beach, SC   © Doug Hickok



A solitary cross stands amid the grassy dunes
 of the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve on Folly Beach.

French Quarter Ride

French Quarter, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A horse drawn carriage follows quiet streets
 that take visitors through Charleston's French Quarter.

Garden Finial

Large Finial, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



The centerpiece of a South of Broad garden
 is this large finial with a bucolic classical motif.

Ablaze with Color

Gate Scroll, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



An entry gate on an East Battery mansion
is set against a colorful doorway lit by morning sun.

Not Shy, This Guy

Great Egret, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok



A friendly egret perches
 along the Shem Creek Park
 boardwalk at sundown.

Roses at Sundown

Roses, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  



A rose garden is silhouetted by the setting sun
 in Charleston's serene Meditation Garden.

Skeleton Forest

Boneyard Beach, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok



At the north end of Folly Beach the maritime forest
 is slowly eroding away, leaving skeleton trees
 to populate the shoreline.

Peace Among the Trees

Meditation Garden, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



This statue stands amid a lush natural setting
 in Charleston's Meditation Garden,
a tranquil place for a quiet stroll.

French Quarter Scene

Churchyard Gate, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Behind this decorative churchyard gate a horse
 pulls a carriage through Charleston's French Quarter.

French Quarter Gallery

Art Gallery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A courtyard displayed with paintings entices visitors
 to enter and explore an art gallery in the French Quarter.

Local Family

Balconies, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok 



A row of balconies displays decorative ironwork
 on a trio of houses called the Three Sisters,
noted for their similarity of style.

Blending In

Meditation Garden, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok




A vine-covered archway blends with the natural surroundings
 at the Meditation Garden in Charleston.

Lantern Light

Lantern and Blue Door, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


A house by the Battery is lit by lanterns
 as a cool evening falls in Charleston.

Carriage on Meeting Street

Horse Carriage, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A horse pulling a carriage passes by a large
Southern Magnolia along Meeting Street.

Lanterns at Twilight

Broad Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A row of gas lanterns burns steadily
 at the dawn of a new day in old Charleston.



 

Sword Gate

Sword Gate, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Charleston's most recognizable wrought iron gate
 was made in 1849 by Christopher Werner. A matching gate
 was also installed at Charleston's military college, The Citadel.

Promenade Stroll

Sunrise, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A couple takes a morning stroll along the Promenade
 on the Battery, enjoying a cool breeze off the harbor
 and a sunrise.

Colonial Landmark

Saint Michael's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A landmark of the Holy City, Saint Michael's Church
is Charleston's oldest surviving house of worship,
dating from the 1750's.

Battery Mansions

East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A row of antebellum mansions and palmetto trees
 greets the morning sun along Charleston's High Battery.

Common Resident

Saint Phillip's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Residents and tourists are a common sight in Charleston,
as are mockingbirds. They take advantage of stylish perches
to serenade and survey their territory.