On day 44 of “The Ultimate USA Road Trip” we drive from Charleston to Colombia, the first part of the ride is through Charleston. This city is known for its rich, but unfortunately also sad history. Charleston used to be an important port for the slave trade. Slave traders such as Joseph Wragg were the first to break the monopoly of the Royal African Company and pioneered the large-scale slave trade of the 18th century; nearly half of the slaves imported into the United States arrived in Charleston.

In 2018, the city formally apologized for its role in the U.S. slave trade after CNN noted that slavery is "a mystery to Charleston's history."
Because of this history, many stately Mansions and Plantations have been built in Charleston and in the immediate vicinity, many of which have been rebuilt in their original state. There are more than 2,500 historic buildings in the Charleston area, and you'll find eight different architectural styles in the Lowcountry. These styles include Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Classical Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Victorian, and Art Deco. Many of the buildings have been restored and are now hotels, B&B, museums or office buildings. Some are open to the public.

Leaving the city we drive past some of these historic buildings, including “The Rainbow Row, a row of fourteen Gregorian houses painted the colors of the rainbow by the owners, this is one of the most photographed parts of the city and well worth a look.

We also drive past "The Battery", a historic defensive wall and boardwalk in Charleston, South Carolina. Named for a Civil War-era coastal defense artillery battery on the site, it stretches along the lower shores of the Charleston Peninsula, bordered by the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, which converge here to form Charleston Harbor. Part of "The Battery" is now the "White Point Garden" park with a number of memorial statues.

Through the lovely Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River we leave Charleston. From this rig bridge you have a beautiful view over the harbor. The first stop outside of town is a visit to Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, the only plantation in the South Carolina Lowcountry that showcases this unique African slave culture.

Boone Hall Plantation was founded in 1681 when Englishman Major John Boone came to Charleston and established a lucrative plantation and gracious home on the banks of Wampacheone Creek. Major Boone's family and descendants were influential in the history of South Carolina, the colonies, and the United Kingdom.

Boone Hall is recognized as the #1 plantation in the Charleston Area in part due to its beautiful oak trees. In 1743, Major John Boone's son planted oaks in two evenly spaced rows. It would take two centuries for the massive, moss-draped branches to meet overhead to form a verdant "tunnel" to the house, this spectacular avenue to the house symbolizing Southern heritage.

There is the option to take part in a guided tour of the plantation of about 40 minutes. You'll get an insight into the history of Boone Hall and experience what life was like on a plantation in the past and today.
“Exploring The Gullah Culture” is a unique presentation where that difference can be experienced first hand. Boone Hall is the only plantation in the Charleston area that showcases this unique culture adapted by the African slaves.
Real descendants of the Gullah people present the history of this culture through stories, song and dance that are sometimes educational, sometimes entertaining and sometimes very moving and emotional.
These Gullah ladies share uplifting spiritual messages of love and understanding of how overcoming the hardships of the past have helped them live better lives now.

We drive through the 100-acre Bonneau Ferry Conservation Area with four lakes, it borders the Francis Marion National Forest. This area is a favorite with fishermen, but is only open to young people who are allowed to fish accompanied by one or two adults. Living in the four lakes; Largemouth bass, bluegill, shell cracker, crappie, warmouth, mudfish, and gar. The road winds through the woods and past small villages.

We continue to Lake Moultrie to Short stop to visit the grave of General Francis Marion, located in the cemetery of the Belle Isle plantation, which belonged to his brother Gabriel. Dubbed the "Swamp Fox" of the Revolution, this legendary American hero waged guerrilla warfare against the British in South Carolina. He disrupted their supply lines and launched surprise attacks on their detachments from his bases in Pee Dee and Santee swamps.
We drive via Pelion, where we refuel, north to Colombia, the capital of South Carolina and the end point of this day.