The reviews are in, and it seems everyone really enjoyed the trip to Charleston for birding, viewing the wind turbine test facility, and visiting the Hunley submarine restoration. Oh yeah, we ate some great seafood, and engaged in some spirited shopping for antiques, art and souvenirs as well. The weather was near perfect, not many insects to bother us and the hotel and local people we met were very friendly.
One of the favorite locations we visited was the Awendaw Avian Conservation Center where we saw hawks and owls, some free flying and landing just above our heads. Pretty cool. Some folks said their favorite bird was the Burrowing Owl that ran in and out of the nesting mound created for her. The birds were close enough for us to touch and folks got some beautiful photos. A special thank you to Michael Drews for arranging this wonderful trip to the Avian Conservation Center.
Imatiaz Haque arranged a great tour of Clemson in Charleston which includes the Dominion Energy Innovation Center (home of the wind turbine drive train testing and e-grid), the Zucker Family Graduate Education Center, and the Warren Lasch Conservation Center.
The research conducted related to wind energy and the electrical grid is phenomenal. The size and scope of the machinery is impressive. The construction of the facility to house the drive train was amazing. The Hunley submarine restoration is nearing completion with a fantastic museum and observation area displaying this amazing historical artifact at the conservation center.
We even had an off-the-grid tour of the lab area where restoration occurs and saw a 4,000-year-old Roman iron ingot recovered from the Mediterranean Sea.
The graduate education building was beautiful and we were able to talk with faculty in the Digital Production Art and see their labs and work. Graduate students in DPA and electrical and computer engineering have opportunities in Charleston that are not available anywhere but there. A special thank you to our guides as well: AJ Powell, Campus and Event Manager; Meredyth Crichton, Executive Director of the Dominion Energy Innovation Center; Jim Tuten, Capital Projects and Facilities; Eric Patterson, Associate Professor and Director of DPA; and Stéphanie Cretté Director of the Warren Lasch Conservation Center.
Many thanks to Debbie, Imtiaz and Mike for the great adventure. If you have ideas for future trips please let Debbie know.