A fine Sunday on the Pitt Street Bridge in Mt. Pleasant

09 Nov 2009 by Sean in Charleston Landmarks

Yesterday, I visited the waterfront park at the site of the old Pitt St. Bridge.  The weather was perfect, the sunset was spectacular and I met some nice people doing interesting things.

I come to this spot maybe twice a year.  You kind of forget it’s there, tucked away in Mt. Pleasant’s Old Village.

Down on the water

There aren’t too many places in Charleston, aside from the beach, where you can get so close to the water.  So I was happy to find the tide down yesterday when I arrived.  You can sneak down from the old causeway to the sand and mud flats that show themselves on the western side of the bridge.

Along the way, I saw a family scooting their feet around the mud looking for clams.  Another family was scouring the brown, silty bottom on the hunt for sharks teeth.

It’s great to have a great place like this to bump into kind strangers and see what your neighbors are up to.

Up on the bridge

Finally, just after sunset, I made it out to the actual Pitt Street Bridge.  Just a few football fields from Sullivan’s Island, there were still a number of people fishing the small tidal creeks that spill into the Intracoastal Waterway just ahead.

At the end of the fishing pier, I was greeted by a bottlenose dolphin who was probably taking most of the catch.

To my right, a school of shrimp or small fish hit the surface with a splash, probably chased by a larger fish.

The long dusk waited as I made my way back to my car.  It was only about an hour since I parked, and that short time had me soothed and recharged for the upcoming week.

Getting there

From the Old Village in Mt. Pleasant, make your way to Pitt Street heading south.  Pitt Street turns into a long parking area for the park.  Once you cross a speed bump, you know you’re there.

Park on the right and stroll down to the bridge.