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!