After dinner at Halls (who, by the way, sent us a thank you card written by our waiter) we wandered around the historic district. We wandered around the next morning as well, before meeting Sam, who lives in Charleston, for lunch. We walked through the City Market, first built in 1788 and used as a public market in varying forms ever since. Charleston is called the Holy City because there are so many churches in it. Saint Michael’s had some REALLY old gravestones in it’s cemetery and I love old gravestones!

A few of my favorite things about Charleston were the doors and alleyways. There were so many enchanting little alleyways between the houses with beautiful ivy, wrought iron gates and ancient red bricks. Between our wanderings and Sam’s tour that evening we saw some beautiful parts of the city. I took so many pictures that Sam, the photographer, complained.

We didn’t have time to go all the way over to Fort Sumter, but we went to the spot where the first shots of the Civil War were fired from, which in my opinion, is actually cooler. Sam gave us our own private tour of the city. He showed us some of the coolest houses and several places he’d taken engagement or wedding photos for people. We saw one of the most famous slave auction spots and a dungeon used in the revolutionary war. He’s read the tour guide books and once upon a time considered being a tour guide. So glad we got to spend some time with him while we were there!

Well, I took way too many pictures of cool doorways so stay tuned for the last installment from our trip to the South; Magnolia Plantation and our bonus day courtesy of United Airlines.

We drove the scenic way up to Charleston by way of Hilton Head Island, the Angel Oak Tree and Sheldon, an old church ruin. Hilton Head was beautiful, as expected. White sandy beaches, huge ocean front mansions and resorts. We just stopped at one beach to walk a bit in the sand and surf and then hit the road again.

Our next stop was Old Sheldon Church-a church ruin originally built in the 1740’s and burned by the British in 1779 during the Revolution. It was rebuilt only to be burned again by General Sherman in the Civil War. The ruins are surrounded by ancient oaks and graves scattered in and around the churchyard. It had such a sacred and reverent spirit. I’m so glad we stopped to see it.

Friends,
who have come into our church yard
Please
treat these sacred ruins, the graves and grounds that surround them, with the respectful reverence they deserve.
Let us
leave feeling Old Sheldon is not worse but better for our presence.

Isn’t that how we should treat all of life? Both people and places-Better for our presence and not worse.

Our next stop was just as sacred, though not a man made structure built for worship. I have wanted to see this 400 year old Angel Oak Tree, just outside of Charleston, for years. It did not disappoint. I thought my pictures couldn’t do the size justice, and so when writing this post, I looked for a better one, but it turns out, no one’s camera does the size justice, so here are mine.

One way or another, all of nature-man or otherwise, reaches for the Sun/Son.

We arrived in Charleston just in time for our early dinner reservation at Hall’s Chophouse.

This was probably the best dining experience we’ve ever had. There were so many men in suits running the place, it felt like we’d stepped into a mafia den. The waiter spent 20 minutes telling us about this meat platter and all the millions of different cuts and ways of cooking that we could choose.

And it was the best steak I’ve ever had in my life! Perfectly crispy on the outside and cooked to perfection on the inside with about a 1/4 cup of truffle butter melting on top. The waiter asked us to cut into our meat to make sure it was cooked the way we wanted! The bread was divine, the mashed potatoes unreal. Seriously, I would pay plane ticket prices to fly back to Charleston someday just to eat here again. I will be dreaming about that meal for years. Rock will be dreaming about the pepperjack creamed corn. lol.

Stay tuned for downtown Charleston and Magnolia Plantation…and our bonus extra day!

I love Civil War history. I’ve read Gone with the Wind and it’s sequel many times, and of course I’ve watched the movie countless times. In fact, Rock and I watched it on our 3rd date, where he also held my hand for the first time. I also love the movie Glory; when the other kids in my high school history class were asleep on their desks, I was riveted. But Rock is not as big a history buff, so I was rather surprised when he suggested that for our getaway this year, we go to Savannah, GA. No trip to the South would have been complete for me without seeing a plantation and since there are some good ones outside of Charleston, we did Charleston, NC too. To avoid the humidity and mosquitos of a southern summer, we went in April. It was beautiful and warm and green-unlike the never ending winter we’ve had here in Idaho.

Savannah is made up of beautiful squares that make the whole city feel like a park. You walk from one square to the next passing historical homes built in the 17 and 1800’s. The trees in the south were my very favorite. Live Oaks are evergreen and breathtaking. My camera could never quite do them justice. Savannah, as well as Charleston, were covered in azalea bushes that unfortunately had already bloomed (mine at home had just barely turned green again!), but I will go back someday in March to see the South on fire with azaleas.

Before heading on our walk through the city we ate a yummy southern breakfast. Best fried chicken ever!

That evening we wondered down to River Street to shop for souvenirs and get some dinner.

Huge container ships go up and down this river all the time. It’s shocking to be so close to something that big that is moving.

The next morning we ate breakfast at an adorable bed and breakfast across from this amazing Catholic Church before driving up to Charleston.

Stay tuned for more from our trip….