Saturday, November 01, 2014

Two Visitors to our Holy City...

I used to work for the daily metro newspaper in San Diego back in the 1960s.

 It was a fun and fulfilling time, working with editors and reporters and the other staff photographers.

 Looking back on it, I realize having that type of position allowed me to go many places others could not.

 I met Presidents of the United States, Congressmen, heads of corporations and noted scientists.

 Also saw many people at a bad time in their lives.

 Usually I was carrying a big camera and a press pass that opened many doors.

 I reflect on those bygone days with a group of former editorial men and women at the Copley newspapers. The group is called "The 919 Gang, "which was the address of the newspaper plant back when it was located downtown.

 Jack Reber, a dedicated former co-worker,  had retired and took over the role of editor of a daily newsletter he compiles and emails to more than 500 "Gang" members. Naturally, we call ourselves Gangsters and submit items to share with the others. 

Here's one I just sent in.

"CHUCK BOYD writes: 
Got an email from fellow "Gangster" T.R.Reinman, a sportswriter for the S.D. Tribune/Union-Tribune, 1981-2000.

He does other stuff now but contacted me to say he and his wife Nancy were fortunate enough to be visiting Charleston, S.C., over Halloween.  

T.R. wanted to know if I could join them for lunch and maybe provide some pointers and suggestions for enjoying the Holy City, my hometown.

He had me at "Rebergram" so I took them on a mini-walking tour through the Historic District on a bright and shining 70-degree Friday morning.

They stood at the tip of the peninsula and I pointed out where the Ashley River and the Cooper River come together to form the Atlantic Ocean. 

We toured and walked and I showed them a photographer's secret that should work in many places. 

We rode the elevator up to the roof of a 5-story parking garage so he could take a picture of the stately St. Phillips church ABOVE the criss-crossing wires that clutter the shot at street level.

I also snapped a shot of him in reporter mode. 

He still carries a notebook and jots down details and reminders of places he's seen. In the background is St. Michael's church, dating back to the 1700s.

I did mention we have a lot of churches, hence the nickname the Holy City. 

Ships entering the harbor for hundreds of years saw many steeples and other buildings were not allowed to be taller.

That's eased now and we even have a twin Hyatt going up downtown.

One picture captured several facets of my booming destination city: a cruise ship's stack looms over historic buildings, sightseeing vans are pulled up at the curb and a horse-drawn carriage clops by.

In the background. the 8-lane Ravenel Bridge was opened in 2005 and was designed to look like sails in the harbor.

Their second day here, temps dropped, it rained and their planned harbor cruise out to Fort Sumter was scrubbed. 

Instead, they shopped in the centuries-old City Market and sampled a variety of dining spots. 

When we had lunch at an Irish pub, I introduced them to Shrimp & grits.

They leave Sunday, heading south for a day in Savannah.

If other 919ers are headed this way, let me know. I can show you the source of the Atlantic Ocean."

It is fun to take visitors around and show off what some people have named the #1 U.S.A. travel destination...four years in a row.

When I was roaming around Europe in September, I had to wonder that the same publication said its readers named Charleston the best destination in the World.

Hmmmm. 

I like my hometown, and love to show it off. but I though London was swell and Berlin and Paris looked good too.

I was not invited to vote.

We hold our own I am sure in some areas but I like New York City, Boston and Philadelphia a lot.

But, I digress. 

These visitors live in San Diego and know navy ships.

(Two - yes two - aircraft carriers are tourism attractions in their harbor.)

I remarked when I was showing them our one carrier across from the Aquarium, that the ship going by was new to me.

It had the look of a catamaran with twin hulls and T.R. said he thought it was one of the Navy's "stealth" ships.

I don't know but, as a former newsman, I intend to find out.

When I do, I'll share it with you.

It was headed down the Cooper River, one of the two that form the Atlantic Ocean.

(Click on the photos for more details.)

Seriously, they live in San Diego and never had tasted shrimp & grits.

I try to be helpful.

 *Editor note: the two Halloween-costumed people at the top were not my visitors, and the close up of the cruise ship shows the very high water slide right behind the stack. Yikes!


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posted by chuckography @ 11:48 PM 0 Comments

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Up On The Roof.....

The concept was simple: get up high and look around.

Bring your camera and join up with some fellow photographers.

Shoot pictures from the top of a downtown parking garage.

There are several so we announced we would start down by the harbor on the Cumberland at Concord parkade.

Oops.

We learned there are TWO garages by Waterfront Park.

After a while, all the Photo Group members found each other.


Rain was predicted but the dramatic clouds enhanced the photo walk.

Eventually 23 camera-toters were part of the evening program.

This outing will no doubt be repeated because not all the "high spots" were sampled this time.

Once you get up high and enjoy the change of angle, you look toward other rooftops to explore.

We could see the gas space heaters blazing away at GRILL 225 Rooftop Bar, so some roamed over there.

Three of us - with cameras and tripods - tried to blend in as we casually sauntered through the lobby and rode up in the elevator. We peeled off our blue name badges.

What a GREAT place to view down the entire length of the renovated Market.


The fiery flaming gas heaters were complemented by tall plexiglass panels
that made it comfortable for outdoor dining.

The food aromas were very enticing as we pressed close to the panels to avoid reflections.

We were far down at the end, away from the diners, and I doubt if we were even noticed.

I glanced down and saw the former Seaman's Chapel that now is Mad River.

We agreed it was time to take a break and have some food.

Through the use of cell phones, word was spread.

We pulled several tables together as other photographers joined us.

I left after a cold beer and a super Reuben sandwich with fries. A darned good guitarist was playing.

I learned we had missed a quick rain that had passed through while we were munching and sharing digital photos.
The group continued on to another parkade and have posted some beautiful pictures.

(Click on the photos to see more details.)

Eugene, co-coordinator of the Photo Group, said the idea of shooting from the parkades "just popped into my head."

I told him that the year I lived in Minnesota, I had heard the Twin Cities call their parking structures "Ramps."

Next time you're parking downtown, take your camera and head up to the top and look around.

It's quite a view.

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posted by chuckography @ 4:27 PM 1 Comments