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FALL 2017 ISSUE 02 / VOL. 02
The palmetto tree is South Carolina’ s state symbol, as seen on its flag and seal. including the opening of“ Gone with the Wind.” I positioned the bike and freeze-framed the scene for posterity before I was chased off. Apologize afterward, I always say.
Skeletal framework shacks line U. S. 17 on the approach to Charleston. Their siding is provided by rows of hanging baskets woven from sweetgrass, combined with palmetto leaves. The art of making sweetgrass baskets was brought to the South Carolina Lowcountry by slaves from West Africa and has been a traditional art form passed on from generation to generation. Now these baskets are highly prized as a part of this area’ s heritage, and their prices reflect it. I glided by and diverted to Patriots Point, passing alongside Charleston’ s impressive cable-stay bridge over the Cooper River, completed just a few years ago.