A Southern Getaway

Charleston had me when I saw the rocking chairs in the airport waiting areas.

Right off the bat, things were cozy and inviting; just like I always thought the south would be.

2 adults + 2 babies + 3 monstrous suitcases + 4 large (HEAVY!!) carry-ons +

1 diaper bag + 2 backpacks filled with toys + 1 double stroller = 1 poorly thought out plan

What was I thinking bringing this much stuff?!

Trying to manage all our stuff plus 2 kiddos running in all directions was...draining.

We didn't get any sleep on the plane and honestly,

I wasn't sure how we were going to make it through the day.

We stayed 2 nights in Charleston at the Fulton Lane Inn.

Ironically, our first stop, after settling our things in the hotel room and a quick nap,

was at the Savannah Bee Company. Neither of us thought to wait to visit that store

for when we were actually IN Savannah...

I'd heard of wine tasting, even of olive oil tasting, but never of honey.

I learned at the Savannah Bee Co. that I have a love of honey.

Those plastic bear-shaped things we buy at the supermarket?

I don't know what that is, because it tastes NOTHING like this light, buttery sweetness...

Kate was hooked, she even made me buy a jar to bring home and carried it around with her for 2 days.

Sister Love... I love it!

Ella's first hush puppy...

United States Custom House

How can you expect 2 little girls to not twirl on the top of the steps of a historic building?

The little girls' heaven...

We learned that there are pineapples everywhere in Charleston because it is a symbol of hospitality.

This is the famous Pineapple fountain.

Poor Ella fell into this one unexpectedly.

One of my favorite things about Charleston was the pier.
The sun was just setting and the humidity starting to quiet a little bit...
there are about 10 porch swings on the pier overlooking the water.
So relaxing and peaceful.

My very favorite book EVER is "The Prince of Tides" by Pat Conroy.

This next photo took me there. We were about an hour away from the actual county where the

story in the book took place but when I was sitting on the pier watching over the water, seeing that

bridge, I felt like I was right there. It felt familiar and comforting.

I loved the gas lamps everywhere. So charming.

We had a full two days of walking in 100% humidity, it felt like.
The girls were always sweaty and damp. So were we.

We took a horse-pulled carriage ride around the city.

I LOVED the old houses and all the history behind them.
They were gorgeous old homes. I'd take one of these in a heartbeat.

The tour guide let us taste a local fruit, the loquat.
J thought it would be ok to let Ella eat the seed inside since J's was tiny.
Ella promptly ate the whole loquat and choked on its seed.
Tiny? Really, J?! It's the size of my thumb!!

After a long, hot day we let the girls return to Waterfront Park to REALLY play in the fountain this time.

We are self-proclaimed "foodies"... or maybe you could call us "eaties"...
either way, whatever you want to call us, we love to eat.

Finding the local cuisine and getting a taste of everything
is a huge part of our shared love of traveling.

I think it stems from our first ever trip to New York 10 years ago, when us amateurs

didn't know where else to eat so we ended up eating at Chevy's and TGI Fridays!

The shame!! So, we now have a rule: No chain restaurants on vacation!

Here is where I must interject. Up until recently I've been on a liquids-only diet for the last 4 months.
When I started to eat again after the program ended, I was compelled to become a vegetarian.

Eating my way through the south as a new vegetarian was... interesting, to say the least.
I had more than my fair share of green beans because in some places the only
vegetarian option was 3 side plate of vegetables. Green beans, mac & cheese and french fries.
Isn't quite as exciting as beef brisket and Carolina pulled pork, is it?
But to my surprise, I did it. I remained and still do a vegetarian.

For my fellow eaties, here is the list of restaurants we chose and LOVED in SC.

- FIG

The gnocchi was AMAZING!

Kid friendly and pleasant.

- Magnolia's
Quaint restaurant, I loved my meal and this place will
forever have a special place in my heart cause I don't think
I ever laughed so hard EVER.

Oh, J... this could only happen to you.

- McCrady's
Jaclyne's meal looked amazing. Short ribs and potatoes.
Mine? Was a vegetarian plate left to the chefs discretion.
What can I say? Foam and 40 different kinds of veggies was... not my idea of a tasty meal.

The girls were so good at this place that the manager sent them 4 ice cream cones
as a reward. This was a more upscale restaurant so we were hoping they
would behave themselves and enjoy it... our star travelers exceeded our expectations.

Courtesy of Kate

- Baked
Seriously, best damn whoopie pie I've ever had. EVER.
It was that good.

More to come!