USA ~ Congaree National Park ~

... Great US National Park nr 14シ...  it's South Carolina’s only national park and probably one of the least visited ones... Congaree National Park has one of the rarest environments in the US... spectacular scenery...  you can hiking the boardwalk trail and kayaking the Cedar Creek Trail... and with a postmark from the Park itself what makes it even more special... Big Thanks Andrene for once more a fantastic new NP!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: QT Luong/terragaleria.com
From backside postcard:
Congaree National Park protects an ancient fores of champion-size trees, primeval floodplain landscapes, and an incredible diversity of plant and animal life. The park includes the largest remnant of old-growth floodplain forest in southeastern US and one of the tallest temperate deciduous forests in the world. It is also designated as an International Biosphere Reserve, Wilderness Area, National Natural Landmark and Globally important Bird Area.
Formerly known as Congaree Swamp National Monument, Congaree ( 27.000 acres) became a national park in 2003.

Stamp:

"The Moon" Global Forever stamp
(Issued 22-02-2016)

USA ~ Fort Sumter National Monument ~

... Great and interesting card nr2 from Charleston... it played an important part in American history... the place where America’s deadliest war began with more than 700.000 casualties.... visitors are transported back in time and are able to explore and learn about the well-preserved fort ruins and the Civil War itself... Thanks so much dear Andrene!! ❁◕ ‿ ◕❁ (PS I hope not to many postcards are lost ☹...they are all always such a nice surprise in my mailbox♥...I post all my received ones within a couple of days!)

Photos:© Byran Riggs and Joe MCLemore
From backside postcard:
Fort Sumter was the scene of the opening battle of the Civil War on April 12, 1861 After a 34 hours siege the Fort, commanded by Major Robert Anderson and his Union Troops, surrendered. The Fort was then occupied by the Confederates and remained in their hands until shortly before the end of the war on February 17, 1865.
The Fort was named after the Revolutionary War General Thomas Sumter, it was one of several defensive sites located along the eastern coast of the US. Construction began in 1829 and continued for over thirty years until it was finally completed in 1861. Fort Sumter was built on a sand bar located at the entrance to the harbor in the Charleston. Several thousand tons of granite were used to create a five-sided 170 feet by 190 feet long structure made with walls that were five feet thick, it was an impressive fortress and an effective first line of defense against attacking forces in the region.

Stamp:

"The Moon" Global Forever stamp
(Issued 22-02-2016)

USA ~ Charleston - Rainbow Row ~

... Lovely picturesque street view... a row of colorful historic homes... one of the major tourist attraction and the most photographed area of historic Charleston... they are also the most exclusive, most expensive Charleston SC historic properties...Thanks a lot Andrene!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Rainbow Row dates back to about 1740 and it used to be situated in the waterfront district of the city back in the 18thC.  It is the name for a series of thirteen colorful historic houses in Charleston, South Carolina. Rainbow Row represents the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the US. The name Rainbow Row was coined after the pastel colors they were painted as they were restored in the 1930s and 1940s.

Common myths concerning Charleston include variants on the reasons for the paint colors. According to some tales, the houses were painted in the various colors such that the intoxicated sailors coming in from port could remember which houses they were to bunk in. In other versions, the colors of the buildings date from their use as stores; the colors were used so that owners could tell illiterate slaves which building to go to for shopping.

Stamp:

"The Moon" Global Forever stamp
(Issued 22-02-2016)