A total ECLIPSE in South Carolina

I don't know if you have heard but there's going to be a :::insert booming loud announcer voice::: TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE!!! 
Today, August 21st 2017 the world is going to go nuts. And so are we! This unique phenomenon has been on our minds for about a year. We decided that this big event would require a trip to see it. That's why we are here in Charleston, SC to take advantage of the last viewing of the total solar eclipse in the United States. Our day began early as we prepared for the viewing. Picnic was packed, van loaded with chairs, toys, blankets, special glasses, and lots of drinks.  Then it was to the fort we went! 

As our ferry arrived we could see the sandbar was getting rowdy with spectators. Tents, grills, lots of boozed up people (yay it's 10am!), even some people with a band? It was looking like a downright epic sandbar party about ready to get rocking. I noticed more than a handful of the people from our ferry make their way over to the sandbar despite the numerous warnings from the NPS staff about staying close to the fort so as to not be stranded out here. By the looks of some of them I think a few of those people were not going to come back on the ferry. 

One of the big advantages of being in Charleston area is that there is a pretty famous fort nearby. And anyone who is a lover of all things history like my Mister is wants to see this fort.  

Fort Sumpter National Monument is a place you need to visit. Seeing the fort how it was built its location. Everything about it, you begin to realize why this fort was such an imperative piece in the control of Charleston Harbor. 

Many people opted to stay on site and wait for the eclipse to happen. The best viewing was supposed to be out on the water around Ft. Sumpter.  Without a boat that option was hard to make happen. And in actuality is better that we did not find a way to rent a boat since based on what we observed on our way to the fort the water was jammed up with people on boats of all sizes. 

Our plan ended up being a great one for our family. Keith found a nearby park that had a great playground for the little girls and was in the total darkness zone for eclipse viewing. We packed a picnic planning on spending a few hours at the park. 

So it was a plan. Great spot. Perfect. Amazing. Until...... a huge, insane, booming, summer, thunderstorm started to blow in just as the eclipse started to happen. Our view was looking a tad disappointing. 

And then! There is was! Total darkness! TOTALITY! WOOOOOOOOWWWWW! Everyone was amazed. All of us, there must have been about one hundred others with us at the park, began to whoop and clap. It was a great moment to share with other people. So truly amazing to see. After the eclipse began to pass over the sun many people began to head back home. Our picnic over, the afternoon coming to an end, it was time to do some more tourist visiting. On the way back to the beach house we decided to stop and visit the Charles Pickney Plantation. The plantation was a location for eclipse viewing and had all sorts of activities for families to do during the day. When we arrived most of the staff were wrapping up the outdoor tents. A beautiful site and an interesting historical home to visit. If you want to know more about one of the Governor's of SC and one of the authors and principal signers of the US Constitution see the link below:

https://www.nps.gov/chpi/learn/historyculture/index.htm

Once we returned from our day around town chasing the eclipse we needed some beach time. We ate some BBQ shrimps, a big salad, and watermelon for supper. I made a Total Eclipse Peach Pie for dessert. That pie was devoured within minutes. All hope for breakfast pie was gone in an instant.