Friday, June 19, 2009

Tea, Tree, and Wine

Charleston has much to offer; history, water views, a tea plantation, live oak trees, and a vineyard.
Today we toured the only tea plantation in the US-the Charleston Tea Plantation.
Shaded benches beneath ancient oak trees offer seating to those waiting to take the tour.

An old trolley used for tours is from Philadelphia.



The plantation was filled with beauty...

and acres of tea plants!

A small bridge leads to fields of tea.

Along the road we travel listening to the history of this marvelous tea plantation while warm breezes waft through the open windows of the trolley.

One of the ponds used for irrigation.

Another irrigation pond.

These are mature tea plants.

Young tea plants.
Once the trolley tour finishes we head to the tea building for the factory tour and a sampling of tea:).

One of the many steps in the tea process.

Talk about tea bags!

Everything the tea connosoire could want!

From the tea plantation we headed to see the Angel Oak tree.
This tree is said to be about 1500 years old.

The Angel Oak is majestic as well as graceful.

Hubby stands by the base of this ancient oak.

Sun dapples through the crooked branches.

From the Angel Oak tree we headed for the vineyard.

Hmmm...looks like someone was tasting too much of the wine!

Beautiful flowers bloom around this garden shed.

Grape vines grow amongst live oak trees.

Have a seat and enjoy the views.

Grape vines.

Let's go taste the wine:).

Hubby makes some friends:).

We tasted five varieties made at the vineyard.

After a long day of touring a tea plantation, viewing the majesty of the Angel Oak tree, and tasting some local wine we headed home.
I will be out of town this week so my blogging may be limited but I will visit as much as I can:).
I wish you all a blessed week!

11 comments:

crochet lady said...

I have heard of that plantation and I think even tasted the tea. Thanks so much for taking us along on your tour. I really enjoyed viewing your photos, that tree does look really old. I think of how much life and death has gone on around it and it is still there.

Jen

Unknown said...

Wow! What a fabulous post! Thanks for taking me along for the tours! What a lovely day it looks like you had. I never really fave that much thought to tea plantations before, that looked like a lovely plantation.
That old oak tree is amazing. Thanks for the very cool photos!

lorhen82 said...

Kim, those trees are awesome!!! It's such a beautiful place! Thanks for taking us on the tour. ~Lori

Anonymous said...

Looks like trees at Oak Alley in New Orleans. What a beautiful photo story. Thanks for sharing.
QMM

June said...

Oh my gosh Kim, that was so fun. That trolley was beautiful in itself. That wood in it was rich. Then that angel tree is so wonderful. It is huge. I learned something as well, I had no idea there was only one tea plantation in the US. A great post.
Thank you so much for the sweet comment about my house. You made my day.
Smiles,
June

the voice of melody said...

What a beautiful place. You've really made me want to go and visit. Actually, I've always wanted to go to Charleston, so it's on my to-see list. Thanks again for taking me on this tour with you. :)

English Cottage in Georgia said...

What a wonderful place to visit...is definitely going on the list of "must sees". Thanks for the lovely post and pictures.

lady m said...

Thank you so much for taking us along with you on the tour of the tea plantation. It is absolutely beautiful!

Have a wonderful time away ;)

lady m

Fox said...

Wonderful photos!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Kim,

I enjoyed your post and thanks for the tour.
The photos are lovely and thanks for sharing.

Hugs
Carolyn

Stephenie said...

All I can say is, this is a beautiful post...Those trees are just amazing...Your pictures are awesome...
Stephenie