The Riddle of the Holy City

See the mark others may not, it's on the wall

Do you believe yourself to be good at solving riddles? If you do, I challenge everyone from Edisto Island to Cape Romain to solve this Holy City riddle. If you think yourself not to be, take a shot at it anyway. You will be surprised. It is a riddle of the ages with a prize at the completion of a successful journey buried just below the surface at the final marker in a capsule. It won't be an expensive ruby or a golden owl, but it does have monetary value.

Whether you be a resident or a Lowcountry visitor, the challenge will be an enjoyable hands-on quest to some of Charleston's most cherished sights, where you must collect vital information by way of embedded clues needed to take you all the way to the secret location. I am aware there are people who have an extensive knowledge of our charming city over others who may be new to the area. The equalizer, I believe, is the clues. They make it a level playing field for everyone.

Many of the riddle's puzzling verses, such as the "ghostly drink," "the telling ball," "the door goes round and round," "an iron gate of ebony," and others can be found in my books, The Charleston Lowcountry: Soak in the History - Bask in the Amenities  and The Town of Summerville: Soak in the History - Bask in the Amenities, now on Amazon.

Charleston is brimming with stories full of mystery, intrigue, and historical importance. Whether fact or fiction, they are an integral part of its persona. They breath life into every brick, plank, cobblestone, and iron gate that have been fused together into the mass of buildings and homes that form today's Holy City. They are spouted from every corner and doorstep. They are inescapable as their mosquitos once were.

People no longer come to Summerville to escape the oppressive heat and voracious mosquitoes of the coastal lowlands or for the cooling touch and healing scent of its sacred pines. Today, people come for its charm, its southern hospitality, its sense of community, and its rich history. A history as colorful as the town's famous azaleas and refreshed with the lifting of every flavorful glass of sweet tea.

So, challenge your wits and at the same time, have some fun doing so. "May the force be with you and the odds be ever in your favor."

Opening photograph: This famous wall is located on Legare Street. It is etched with the colors of history. On your journey through Charleston, stand before the wall and immerse yourself into its diverse textures, knowing its patterns just could help you see what others may not.