My family hadn’t decided until three weeks before our vacation what our destination would be this summer. We knew that we wanted it to include golf, the beach, great food and a family friendly place. When my husband mentioned Charleston, South Carolina being on the top of his bucket list, we decided that this would be the year that he would get to cross it off.
After doing research on the internet and booking some of the last plane tickets and hotel rooms available, I was starting to get even more excited about our long over due summer trip.
Our plane rides were perfect on the way. We arrived after midnight so the first real glimpse we saw of Charleston was in the morning as well pulled back the drapes in our downtown hotel. We thought we might have stepped back in time. This city has been so wonderfully preserved that you feel as if you are stepping in the middle of a painting that has a date in the 1700’s.
What surprised me in doing my research before visiting Charleston was its small population. We spent four days in our downtown hotel so we could explore everything on foot. It had a swimming pool which is pretty rare in downtown. We would spend the morning walking for miles and then cool off in the afternoon with a dip in the pool. And then eat dinner at one of the fabulous restaurants. Repeat. Sleep. Repeat.
And then we moved on to a beach hotel on Isle of Palms.
There was no stress.
The locals were so laid back and friendly.
It was pure vacation heaven.
I took most of these pictures with my cell phone.
I was in complete awe of all the beautiful things around me.
It was like Southern Living Magazine had come to life!
There are so many historic churches.
And so many stories that I didn’t get to hear.
It gives me an excuse to go back.
And explore some more.
I couldn’t help but feel that I somehow belonged there.
Perhaps, in another life time.
When I told my sisters about how deeply I felt about Charleston,
my little sister reminded me of our direct German/Swiss descendants who lived in Orangeburgh, South Carolina.
It’s only about 75 miles north of Charleston.
The earliest records of Jacob Ott are dated in the early 1700’s.
It is believed he fought in the Revolutionary War.
Charleston is full of such history and the place of so many battles.
Ft. Sumter-Where the Civil War Began.
If only these cobblestone streets could talk.
And not to mention all the prayers that were said in all the churches, wishing loved ones a safe return home from the war.
My only regret is that we didn’t visit sooner.
For the beauty, history and people,
I think I will forever have Charleston on my mind.
Stay Sassy Y’all.
Leave a Reply