The cold and wet started winning about 8:30 a.m. Saturday on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River when the first drops of rain dripped from a soaked orange baseball cap.
By 11 a.m., cold and wet won after four hours of walking in drizzly, dismal weather. What was supposed to be a lazy eight-hour amble across Charleston on a Chamber of Commerce day became something else altogether — more of a photo essay than a written one.
Nevertheless, the few people who were outside exercising early smiled faintly, though generally only mumbling a greeting — particularly on the bridge. Maybe they were waiting for coffee, like that offered at Grit Bakery around 9 a.m. just as the drizzle was letting up. Minutes later on Huger Street, a Charleston fire truck screamed by, headed to some morning emergency.
The morning walk led to Hampton Park and groups of disc golfers. A big pink camellia graced the pedestal of a statue of Denmark Vesey. About two-thirds of the way into the 7.8-mile walk, people near upper King Street passed carrying coffee and bags of something yummy. It wasn’t long before the mystery of the goodies was solved: About two dozen people with umbrellas and raincoats waited in line for breakfast outside Weltons Tiny Bakeshop.
As the area came to life, people streamed along King Street toward the farmers market at Marion Square, packed with holiday offerings, fresh vegetables and art. Church bells rang at 11 a.m., a signal that a long, cold walk was just about over.
CHRONOLOGY
7:11 a.m. Stretched outside the City Paper office on East Bay Street. Headed into a dreary morning, three minutes after sunrise. It was cloudy, but not raining, although intermittent drizzle kept things damp. Wearing four layers. Good boots.
Good socks.
7:22 a.m. Along East Bay, someone decorated an apartment with a sleigh and packages.
7:27 a.m. Fresh BMW SUVs streamed out of rail cars at the Port of Charleston. Forty-seven vehicles — most black or white with a couple of gray — were in a line, ready to be shipped to points beyond.
7:38 a.m. The day’s first two runners passed at light pole 87 on the approach to the bridge over the Cooper River.
8:10 a.m. At the crest of the bridge is a sign that points toward Mount Pleasant, one mile away. Charleston is 1.5 miles the other way. The rain picked up a little bit. You can feel the cars shake the roadway a little bit as they pass. It’s still cold, particularly about 200 feet in the air. There’s not much to see other than gray skies, gray water and a shoreline marked by strips of green and brown. 4,500 steps by this time. Pole 35 is in the middle. Turned around and headed back, only to again pass two bunches of flowers and a memorial with suicide hotline information.
8:41 a.m. Got off the bridge path at the stairs near the Morrison Yard apartment complex. Saw some pet owners playing with dogs in a small fenced park. The rain has picked up some. Started to think about cutting the walk short. Pants are soaked. The cold and wet are winning. 7,500 steps.
About 9 a.m. Saw a flock of American white ibis foraging for food along East Bay Street.
9:08 a.m. The rain is letting up after 4.4 miles and two hours. Stopped in at Grit Bakery on Meeting Street for coffee — their suggestion of a peppermint mocha latte — and a pain aux raisins. Met a pair of City Paper enthusiasts who shared information that may help with a future story. Stayed inside drying out for about 30 minutes.
9:40 a.m. Left the bakery and headed on Huger Street toward Hampton Park to visit the Denmark Vesey statue. A fire truck passed. Took a photo of a striking purple passion flower on Ashley Avenue.
9:56 a.m. Teams of disc golfers with umbrellas competed in Hampton Park. Four minutes later, bells pealed at The Citadel. Along Rutledge Avenue, a group of 20-something men played
tag football.
10:26 a.m. More than two dozen people, some outside in the rain, waited in line at Weltons Tiny Bakeshop. Moments later on King Street, piles of rubble presaged what will be another mammoth development at the site of the former Post and Courier building.
10:50 a.m. Walked through the market at Marion Square. Five minutes later, bells played “Amazing Grace” from one of the churches around the park.
11:05 a.m. Unlocked the door to the City Paper office. Took off a wet coat.
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