P52 Week 48: Finishing up in Charleston

Wow, it's the 16th of December! This month is slipping by way too fast. I honestly have not taken more than 4 pictures in 2 weeks. Been crazy, busy at work, fought through a bad head cold, and started going to the gym. So this week, I'll just finish up my shots from Charleston taken at the end of November.
Our friends Paul and Gloria took Sue and I to the Marion Square Farmer's Market. It was a beautiful fall Saturday with lots of produce, and artisans. Didn't take too many pictures partly out of respect for privacy, partly because I was too busy looking at the art. Beautiful stuff. It reminded me how much I enjoyed showing my own art at fairs.

Charcoal Art

Man on Stilts, showing off his dexterity

Beautiful Day to be a kid
Playing in the leaves with Dad

The Levitating Man
Break-dancer

Fern in the Park

  Obviously, 2013 was too busy for me to do any fairs, with the move to NC, the new Job, and exploring our new state. But I'll have to get back out there in '14. I do miss the interaction with the crowds, so I'll have to start planning soon.

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Another stop on our travels, was to see the Angel Oak on John's Island. I told our hosts that I was interested in finding some old southern trees, and they delivered. This one was around 400 years old, and has the following stats.:
65 feet tall, 25.5 Feet in Circumference, Creates 17,000 sq; Feet of Shade, Largest Limb: 89 feet long, 11 1/4 feet in diameter.
You can see the little dots of people in this shot.

Yup, its a B.F.T

Skyward Through the Oak

The Arms of the Angel

It made me think of the 400-Year old Perley Oak back in Laconia, NH. A tree that I loved to sit and look at on Main St. A tree that has been the center of a lot of controversy. With the city trying to cut it down so that people won't get hurt by falling branches, and the citizens trying to save it. The Perley Oak has a long way to go to catch up the size of the Angel Oak, which the city of Charleston has protected. They are both beautiful sights that attract a lot of attention. Hopefully the city of Laconia will understand the significance of its old giant, and continue to let it live.

The Perley Oak

Perley Oak, BW.

I couldn't find any stats on the Perley, other than it's estimated age of 400 years. But it's a bonsai in comparison to the Angel.

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Next stop was down at the marshes near my friends' home on James Island. The area holds historic significance as identified by this marker.

I was in search of some old tree with Spanish moss. Had to trudge around the James Island marshes, being careful not to wipe out in the muck and drop my gear. Having grown up across from the marshes of Wollaston, Mass, I have experience falling in waste deep mud. Good times! Just ask my mom.
Anyway, I escaped nice and clean, and ended up finding the trees I was looking for.

The Roberson Family Tree
(You Duck Dynasty Fans will get it)

Flowers and Moss

Marsh Grass and Piers

James Island Marsh

Reflection in the Marsh

Gotta tell you about one more thing before I sign off for this week. If you ever get to James Island, Charleston during the Christmas season, you have to check out the Festival of Lights at the James Island County Park. 700 Displays. Over 2 million Lights. Not just lights...Moving light displays. Can't  really explain it but I just kept asking, "How did they do that with lights?" It was a beautiful evening ride through the park, and a great way to start the Christmas season!

Starts, Stripes, and Liberty

Next week I'll be back in Cow Hampshuh visiting the family for Christmas! Can't wait! Not sure how much time I'll have for blogging, so I may just have to squeeze another post in before I go away. Stay tuned!

Peace Out

Em