Charleston

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Isle of Palms beach house. Home for the next five days. There will be fourteen of us staying together. And parking for all eight cars!

 

Our tiny porch - usually had at least five sitting and enjoying the sea breeze.

Our large living room had seating for just about everyone. Where we hung out when not out shopping, touring, or eating!

Neighborhood attraction. Pink house with lots of pink flamingos. People would stop and pose and have their picture taken!

Lobster night! Three lobster tails for under $20! Two sides included! Best value of the whole trip!

Made it to The City Market! Bought gifts for the family and myself! Great baskets, jewelry, food, crafts, and candy!

Hand made low country baskets - called sweetgrass baskets. Pricey but beautiful!

Beautiful Charleston homes on every street. Most with porches to catch the cooling breezes.

Lots of ways to get around. Gwen, Suzie, and I choose an air-conditioned bus but others did the horse drawn wagons!

Lots of parks and beautiful fountains. This one near The Battery.

Loved all the pastel colored row houses. Bought a print of Rainbow Row and also a house painting on an old slate roof tile!

Stones brought over on ships were used in the construction of early roads.

On Friday we toured Magnolia Plantation. It is known for it's beautiful and varied gardens.

Something blooms all year long! Lots of spring bulbs were coming out!

The current plantation house. The first two were destroyed.

Official reunion photo of our whole group! Til next year, ladies!

Spring Road Trip 2016

Gwen and I started out around noon on Sunday, April 17. Our first stop would be Jacksonville. I would be staying with Kristin and Brian, and Gwen with Janis and Scott.

We got back together the next day for lunch and shopping. First stop was The University of North Florida. Gwen was looking for gifts for her daughter, an alum. She found just what she was looking for at the bookstore.

Lunch was at a cute local place, Moxie's. Fresh salads, sandwiches, fish, pasta. Gwen, Janis, Gail, and I enjoyed catching up. Fun, food, and laughter!

Dinner that night was Kristin's grilled chicken!

Younger kids enjoying a COLD swim in the pool.

Enjoyed the before-school time to talk to the younger kids - and ride to school with them in the red mini van!

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After the school run on Tuesday morning, Gwen and I headed out to Savannah. First stop was Byrd's Cookies. This Savannah company makes delicious little cookies in lots of yummy flavors and packs them in cute tins and packages. And they serve lunch! Bought a nice variety for Allan to enjoy!

After checking into our hotel, we ventured down to the historic district to take a tour. Found this cute open air trolley with Rick as our local tour guide.

Rode past many historic buildings, squares, and homes -- such as The Mercer House from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

We stopped once -- to get out and tour this beautiful cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This was my favorite site on the tour. The cathedral had just undergone a $34 million restoration.

The beautiful rose window and gleaming pipe organ.

One of many stained glass side windows.

The altar and tabernacle -- and beautiful oriental carpets.

The large baptismal and holy water font.

Back at the hotel, we had time to relax with a glass of wine at poolside before venturing back downtown for dinner!

Of course, we would choose The Olde Pink House for dinner that night! With its eleven different dining rooms and dripping with Savannah charm, how could we not? And yes, I had the flounder!

No visit to Savannah is complete without a stop to Leopold's Ice Cream Shop! We found a short line that night and enjoyed our ice cream in glass dishes inside the air-conditioned shop. Butter pecan for me! Chocolate chocolate chip for Gwen!

Our last stop before Charleston was Beaufort, South Carolina. And the first stop there is always St. Helena's cemetery to visit Bruce's grave. This year another family member died. Bruce's older brother, Richard, died this past March and had been buried in the family plot.

We spent a few hours on Bay Street in Beaufort having lunch and peeking into the shops. But we knew we had to get back on the road -- sisters were waiting for us in Charleston!

Spring trip to Charleston

Our Sigma Kappa fall reunion has now changed to a springtime trip this year. And Charleston, South Carolina, has been chosen as the destination. This will be my first visit and it is highly anticipated. A large manor house has been leased for the week so we can all stay together. Sightseeing and tours are being reviewed and reserved. Roommates are being chosen.

Gwen and I will drive up together with stops along the way. Visits with friends and family in Jacksonville, and perhaps a quick visit to Savannah, are on the schedule. A road trip with a college friend – what fun!

Sistas!

My Sigma Kappa sorority sisters from college have begun meeting locally once a month for Sunday brunches. This past week I hosted in downtown St. Pete at The Birch & Vine on Beach Drive.

We began the afternoon up on The Canopy rooftop lounge enjoying the view and marvelous spring-like day! Could not resist shooting the waterfront view!

Shooting the shooters. Aren't iPhone's great!

We all enjoyed the unique menu ( I had gulf shrimp benedict) and mimosa's made with cranberry.
No one left hungry! We spotted a local art show in the park across the street and enjoyed strolling through all the vendors booths.

These were the coolest swings! Adjustable backs and retractable foot rest! Did not want to get up!
Next month we are meeting in Tampa at Ulele. Can't wait!

Whipporwill Lodge and hiking Greenbriar

Sean and Jennifer's cabin "Whippoorwill Lodge " located in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains.

This is the back side that looks out over a mountain vista. It has four master suites, two large bunk rooms, game room, great room, large kitchen and dining, and three floors. Sleeps over twenty six!

Front driveway and entry. There were about seven or eight cars and had room for all!

Cozy observation deck! Rocking chairs were well used during our stay!

View of upstairs loft from the great room. That is the doorway to our private master suite!

View from loft. Leather sofas and chairs to lounge in front of the fireplace!

View from the upper observation deck. First morning is cloudy and rainy!

Gerr fryin' up the bacon. Hot cinnamon rolls are what's for breakfast!

Mount Le Conte is in the distance. Going to be a beautiful clear day! Going to Smoky Mountain National Park to go hiking!

Hiking on Tuesday! Got an eager group and a perfect day to explore Greenbriar Trail!

Shot of long shadows across the trail.

Came across this character near the end before we turned around. "Moss Man"!

The group descending the trail.

Looking up! See how blue and clear the sky is!

Found this cool bridge and white water rapids. Lots of white water in this area of the park.

Sunset in the mountains, another day ends, but more to come tomorrow!