♪ When you look down on the state of South Carolina, it's hard not to admire its grandeur and diverse ecosystems and natural beauty.

♪ There are countless fascinating places across the Palmetto state, each one unique, each one with its own story to tell.

Now, it's time to see these extraordinary locations in an entirely new way.

This is a story of South Carolina told From The Sky ♪ Hello, I'm Ned Garnier and I'll be your tour guide in seeing the great state of South Carolina from a not often seen perspective.

Let's explore the coast of South Carolina and discover the pristine beaches, striking attractions, and rich history it has to offer.

First, we'll head to the only place in the United States with the perfect mixture of art, nature and history.

♪ (upbeat music) ♪ Near the northern coastline of South Carolina, just south of Murrells Inlet, is an outdoor sanctuary that is like no place else in the world.

Brookgreen Gardens is affectionately called the Floral Jewel of the coast.

♪ When guests arrive at the entrance of the gardens, they're greeted by the Fighting Stallions .

Sculpted in 1950.

The aluminum cast piece serves as a beacon to the magnificent, 9-thousand-acre wildlife preserve and sculpture garden.

This sculpture has a twin sister nearly 1400 miles away at Texas State University.

Anna Vaughn Hyatt Huntington, the creator, and her husband Archer Milton Huntington donated the replica in 1951.

It would be just one of the many acts of philanthropy this couple would contribute to the world.

Their most prominent gift would be providing public access to American sculpture arts by creating Brookgreen Gardens.

♪ (steady music) ♪ Established in 1932, Brookgreen was founded on four rice plantations, but turned into a vacation home after the Huntingtons purchased the land.

Eventually, their passion for the arts and wildlife conservation turned their new winter getaway into one of the world's finest sculpture gardens.

Once inside the grounds, onlookers get a breathtaking view at the lush Lowcountry landscape that Anna and Archer dedicated their life work to.

♪ (soft music) ♪ Today, the gardens exhibit more than 2,000 different sculptures by 430 artists, making Brookgreen the largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the country.

♪ Both of the Huntingtons are commemorated here by a piece called The Visionaries .

Carved from limestone by Anna herself, it now decorates the welcome center plaza as a tribute to the creators.

♪ (upbeat music) ♪ Around each corner, a new and stunning display of vegetation with fountain decorated sculptures can be seen.

The grandest of all is Pegasus sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser.

Fraser was commissioned to create the sculpture and began her work in 1946 by carving huge slabs of granite from Mt.

Airy, North Carolina.

♪ Because the structure was so enormous, it was shipped in three separate pieces to be assembled together on the property.

♪ Whether it's the thought-provoking sculptures or the heart-striking natural landscape, Brookgreen Gardens is a rare glimpse of South Carolina elegance.

♪ (upbeat music ends) ♪ One of the best ways of experiencing the great outdoors is by visiting some of the fantastic parks across the state.

Luckily, South Carolinians have a total of 47 state parks they can choose from with over a million visitors each year.

Our next stop will be South Carolina's most popular state park and just might be the perfect place to start if you want to see them all.

♪ (dramatic music) ♪ On the southern tip of South Carolina lies one of the most unique ecosystems with diverse wildlife and a variety of landscapes.

Peaceful beaches, swampy marshlands, and a coastal forest stretched across the state's 187 miles of coastline.

The quintessence of which is none other than, Hunting Island, ♪ (bright music) ♪ Hunting Island is a 5,000-acre semitropical barrier island that became a state park in 1935.

The centerpiece of the island is the 136-foot lighthouse located just off the shore.

The original structure was built in 1859, but was later rebuilt in 1875, after its destruction during the Civil War.

It was uniquely designed in interchangeable cast-iron parts, each weighing upwards of 1200 pounds.

During its operational life, the rotating lamp inside the lighthouse would have been visible from 17 miles.

After deactivation, it was later opened to the public and is currently the only lighthouse in South Carolina that can be accessed by visitors.

Today, guests of the park can climb 167 steps to the top of the observation deck for an impressive, panoramic view of the surrounding area.

♪ (lively music) ♪ Further inland, the area is dominated by mudflats and the winding pools of the marshland.

On the boardwalks, wetland birds like the great blue heron, can be seen in the cordgrass, searching for their next meal.

Further down the pathways, the dense maritime forest offers protection from the predators.

The trees reaching the canopy of the forest have thinner leaves to absorb maximum exposure, while trees near the forest floor have broader leaves so they can try and soak up what bit of sunlight slips through.

Towards the shoreline, a saltwater lagoon sits between the beach and forest.

Created by sand dredging, the lagoon used to be separated completely from the Atlantic Ocean, but now, the sea breaches part of the shore and converges with the lagoon.

Its quiet atmosphere and thriving fish population make it the perfect place for anglers or visitors looking to relax near water, but away from the surf.

♪ (moderate music) ♪ Though the island has a very serene sensation, it's experienced its fair share of violent weather and dramatic changes over the years.

There's no place more evident of this change than a small stretch of beach on the south side of the island named, "The Boneyard".

Hundreds of fallen pine and palmetto trees scatter the shoreline.

The exposed roots of the dead trees twist around each other creating an eerie, yet elegant display.

♪ (moderate music continues) ♪ This is the after effect of climate change.

Beach erosion cuts into the maritime forest reshaping the island.

Every year, nearly 15 feet of forest will be lost due to the shifting sands leaving only skeletons of the woods behind.

There are few other places in South Carolina with such breathtaking sights and diverse habitats.

Hunting Island is an enchanting paradise, and utopia on South Carolina's coast.

♪ (moderate music concludes) ♪ As a part of the original 13 colonies, South Carolina has an uncommon history that goes back further than other states.

Let's take a trip into the past and see South Carolina's oldest city from above.

♪ (melodic music) ♪ When it comes to South Carolina history, there are few places that are as significant as Charleston Harbor.

Through the centuries, the harbor has had a wave of transformation, leaving bits of history in its wake.

Its remnants, as well as its additions, are quite the spectacle.

♪ (melodic music continues) ♪ Forming at the convergence of two tidal rivers.

This inlet was the epicenter for trade during the 18th and 19th centuries.

To this day, it still serves as a major port in the United States seeing nearly 20 million tons of trade through these coastal waters every year.

♪ The most noticeable part of the harbor is what's connecting Mount Pleasant and Charleston, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

♪ Completed in 2005, the Ravenel Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the United States.

Its diamond towers reach up to 575 feet connecting 128 individual steel cables.

The 2.5 mile long, eight-lane bridge is crossed nearly 97,000 times a day.

Annually, the bridge hosts the third largest 10K Marathon in the United States.

It is the only competition sanctioned by the USA Track and Field as an elite event in South Carolina.

♪ As we travel south, we reach downtown Charleston.

Founded in 1670 as "“Charles Town"” in honor of King Charles II, the city was a hub for colonists in the New World.

♪ Shortly after the American Revolution, the town was given its present name of "“Charleston"” and remained at the center of South Carolina politics and society.

Along the southern shores of the peninsula, the seawall and promenade known as "“The Battery"” served as a defensive artillery point during the American Civil War.

It was formally known as "“Oyster Point"” because piles of bleached oyster shells that gathered at the tip of the peninsula.

The battery was strategically made to help guard the port of Charleston during blockades and attacks.

Today, the battery is decorated with cannons and other military memorials.

Following the Civil War, the battery devolved into near slum conditions until the early 20th century.

That is until Dorothy Legge decided to renovate some of the Gregorian-style houses that remained.

She painted these houses based on a colonial Caribbean color scheme.

Future owners would carry on this tradition by creating an array of pastel houses known today as "“Rainbow Row"”.

A common myth is that these houses were painted different colors so that sailors could easily recognize them, and they wouldn't stumble into the wrong home when coming from the port.

Whether that's true or not, it remains an amazing backdrop for such a historical town.

♪ (melodic music continues) ♪ Back across the harbor, you may spot something that looks like a military base but is actually a floating museum.

Decommissioned in 1970, the USS Yorktown remains permanently docked at Patriot's Point where nearly 300,000 visitors board each year.

Its during its maritime battles in World War II the ship received its nickname, "The Fighting Lady", because it would always take the lead.

Weighing over 30,000 tons and having a top speed of 30 knots, the Yorktown played a significant role in the Pacific offensive against Japan.

One of its last missions was recovering the Apollo 8 spacecraft in 1968.

Lasting 6 days, this was the first manned mission to leave earth's orbit, reach the moon and return.

Today, a replica capsule stays aboard the ship to forever commemorate this momentous achievement.

It's places like this that make Charleston Harbor such an essential part of South Carolina and American history.

♪ ♪ There's nothing that embodies American history and culture quite like tea.

Served hot or cold, this beverage has a unique quality and only grows in the most particular climates.

While hovering around the coast, let's see what goes into making the world's most popular drink.

♪ (dramatic music) ♪ With over 25,000 farms, agriculture is the driving force behind South Carolina's economy.

Corn, Cotton, and Soybeans are some of the top commodities, but there's one place in South Carolina that grows something so unique it's found nowhere else in North America.

Charleston Tea Garden is the only farm, where tea is grown and manufactured for thousands of miles.

Now, let's see what it takes to get from plant to teacup.

♪ (acoustic music) ♪ Tea first arrived in Charleston in 1799.

The high heat and abundant rainfall every summer made the small island of Wadmalaw the perfect place for farming tea.

Today, Wadmalaw Island is considered one of the most untouched and fertile lands in the Lowcountry.

Tea cultivation here dates back to the late 1800's, but the same tea bushes that were used back then are still being grown and harvested today.

Some of them coming as far as China and India!

Tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis.

It is both a natural insect repellent and disease resistant shrub.

Every year in spring, the tea bush will wake up from dormancy and grow three to five new shoots.

It is from these newly grown shoots that fresh tea leaves are grown and later cut.

During a normal season, anywhere from seven to ten cuttings can come from one bush.

♪ From new fields, seedlings are made by cloning existing plants and kept in a climate controlled greenhouse.

It will take new plants three to four years before they reach maturity and can be harvested.

♪ (acoustic music) ♪ The new and fresh tea leaves are harvested from a custom-made machine known as the "“Green Giant"”.

There is no other farming equipment similar in all of North America.

The Green Giant will maneuver gently between each row of tea cutting the newest leaves precisely.

Then, they are blown into a holding basket at the rear of the machine.

Once the basket is full, it is dumped and transported to the factory.

During manufacturing, the leaves will go through a series of stages before they are ready for consumption.

♪ (acoustic music) ♪ The three varieties of tea produced here are Green, Black, and Oolong.

Depending on how long the tea leaf is exposed to oxygen, will determine the type of tea created.

For Black and Oolong tea, the broken leaves are spread on an oxidation belt and dried at different increments, whereas green tea is steamed upon arrival to prevent oxidation and seal in natural flavors.

Visitors can learn more about the tea-making process on guided tours.

Of course, the tour isn't your typical one.

Guests get to experience this garden with a little style!

A trolley ride offers a one-of-a-kind experience through acres of farmland draped by beautiful live oaks and a scenery that encompasses all of what Charleston Tea Garden has to offer.

♪ Lastly, let's take a look at what truly makes this state one of a kind, it's people.

The Gullah are a distinct group of African Americans who primarily live off the state's coastal plain and sea islands.

Let's learn about the deep rooted heritage of South Carolina's most extraordinary people.

♪ (soft music) ♪ When you look at the scenery of South Carolina's Lowcountry, it's hard not to admire its beauty and wildlife.

Even more difficult is to know that these peaceful shores were once the epicenter for one of the greatest atrocities to ever take place on American soil.

Nearly 40 percent of all enslaved Africans were sailed through these calm waters.

Countless stories, traditions, languages and above all, people were lost.

However, along the chain of islands off the South Carolina and Georgia coast an isolated group has held on to their African roots throughout the centuries.

♪ (soft music) ♪ The descendants of the Gola or Geechee people were brought from the Sierra Leone region in Africa to primarily rice plantations, along sea islands in the southeast United States.

Because these remote islands offer relative isolation from Whites.

Enslaved Africans were able to preserve parts of their cultural heritage and language that later blended with new influences in America to create an entirely different culture.

One of the most notable traditions practiced is the art of making sweetgrass baskets.

This skill was carried on from Africa and has been practiced for nearly 300 years.

Today, sweetgrass baskets are sold in places like Charleston City Market, and in small stores along highway 17 ♪ (soft music) ♪ For over a century, Penn Center National Historic Landmark district has been the focal point of African American education, historical preservation, and social justice.

Located on St. Helena Island, the Penn School was established six months President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and three years before the 13th amendment legally abolished slavery.

Founded in 1862 by Laura Matilda Towne, this was one of the first academic schools in the south to provide a formal education for formerly enslaved West Africans after the school closed in 1948, Penn became the first African American site in South Carolina whose primary purpose was to safeguard the heritage of a Gola Geechee community.

In the 1960s, Penn Center took up the mantle of social justice by ushering in the Civil Rights Movement.

It was the only location in South Carolina where interracial groups such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Peace Corps could have safe sanctuary in an era of mandated segregation.

Penn Center became a bastion of peace and a place of refuge, where King could unwind, breathe freely and express himself openly, saying things in front of groups that he couldn't say on a national stage.

Local legend has it, that King composed many of his speeches here including his I Have a Dream speech, which he wrote while staying in the Hastings Gantt Cottage, where he often retreated.

Today, the mission of Penn Center remains much the same, preserving and promoting the history and culture through its commitment to education, community development and social justice.

For more episodes of From The Sky visit SCETV.org and tell us what we should visit next.

Also, be sure to visit our Facebook at South Carolina ETV, and tell us what you think of the series, using #fromthesky.

From everyone at South Carolina ETV I'm Ned Garnier.

Remember, the view is always better, From The Sky .

♪ ♪ ♪ >> This is literally, the most outdoorsy I have ever been in my life.

♪ ♪ [shrieks] ♪ ♪ >> Food is southern culture.

♪ >> What I think of southern cuisine, I think it's just filled with flavor, filled with love.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> This is our town.

>> This is our town.

♪ ♪ >> Salutations and welcome everyone.

♪ [laughing]