In this special four-part series, join Unpacked host Aislyn Greene as she travels to Charleston, South Carolina, to unpack the city’s deeper currents. Up first: To really get to know Charleston, you must spend time on its water ways. Aislyn heads out for a pre-dawn paddle, hunts for Ice Age fossils alongside Charleston’s Indiana Jones, and explores one of the most pristine marine parks on the East Coast—making new friends along the way (the human kind and the animal kind).  And be sure to come back next week, when we dive into Charleston’s legendary food scene. In this episode, you’ll learn —The history and geology of Shem Creek —Why Morris Island is such a legendary place for fossils—and what it takes to find the good stuff.  —The moody, remote magic of Bulls Island—home to Boneyard Beach—and what it’s like to cruise through the pristine Cape Romain, one of only three Class I Wilderness Area’s in the United Sates.   —Charleston’s diverse marine life, from oyster-eating birds to dolphins with a unique way to create their very own seafood buffet.  —The best marine wilderness tours to go deeper into Charleston’s aquatic history and landscape.  Don’t miss these moments*  *Time stamps are estimated and may change due to programmatic advertising.  Recreate these experiences Join Coastal Expeditions, where founder Chris Crolley and his team of fellow naturalists aim to “connect Earthlings with Earth.” Take a ferry to Bulls Island, an uninhabited barrier island; join a kayak tour from their Shem Creek headquarters; or tour Charleston's blackwaters. And be sure to check out the nonprofit Coastal Expeditions Foundation, which supports kids who would otherwise not have access to the marine world opportunity to spend time on and with the water, among other efforts.  Paddle with Nature Adventures, which offers kayak and paddleboard tours, as well as kayak and paddleobard rentals for those who want to explore solo. Co-owner Ben-Jamin Toy also runs On Purpose Adventures, a team-building and bonding company.  Explore with Charleston Outdoor Adventures, which offers its frequent Morris Island fossil tour as well as oyster farm visits, Outer Banks film location tours, and fishing charters. Owner Joe Lott founded the business in 2009 and offers year-round exploration. Resources  Read the transcript of the episode.  Plan your trip to Charleston using our guides and stories on afar.com Stay Connected Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices