Our Summer Vacation: Charleston, South Carolina

After checking out of our hotel in Savannah, we headed 2 hours north for Charleston, South Carolina!!! When we were planning our stops for this trip- I knew we had to try and fit this in and I am so glad we did. I am absolutely in love with this city. Jeff and I really really love cities, and for some reason this city always gets mentioned when we start talking about cities in the United States. Nashville will always be top on my list of places I want to live again, but Charleston now also has a piece of my heart. I am a sucker for southern charm- Jeff and I could definitely picture ourselves living there one day!

We arrived around lunch time and checked into the hotel. Sadly, most of the first day was a wash out. We met up with the Christopher family for lunch since they happened to be vacationing there as well. Jeff used to work periodically for John's business back in Buffalo, as they were friends of his Aunt. 

Our girls with John and Brenda's daughters, Jenna and Morgan.

After we finished lunch we all walked across the street to the Charleston City Market. At this point it was down pouring and the streets were starting to flood, but that didn't stop us.

We looked around the market and bought a Christmas ornament while we were there. It was especially neat to see the handmade sweetgrass baskets, a centuries old tradition at the Market. 

After saying goodbye to John and Brenda, we checked out the famous Rainbow Row.

We finished the early evening with walking around the downtown Charleston waterfront on The Battery. 

Could you imagine living in one of these houses- what a dream!

A rainbow was in the sky over the water where we were walking. The girls were so excited to see it.

We grabbed some dinner to bring back to the hotel and relaxed for a bit, and then walked around a little more before going to bed that night.

The next morning we grabbed some complimentary breakfast at the hotel and headed out. We drove down to the Charleston Harbor because we wanted to catch the morning ferry over to Fort Sumter.

Our ferry

View of the Cooper River Bridge from the boat

Air Craft Carrier in the water

Fort Moultrie

Fort Sumter!

Fort Sumter is the site upon which the shots that started the Civil War were fired.

A view of Charleston from the Fort.

Jeff grabbed a book and some replica confederate money at the gift shop on the Fort. He also bought little figures for the girls. Jade was the only one that was appreciative- Brooke was mad, and said she only likes horses :-) too funny.

After Fort Sumter, we went back to the hotel to regroup. We then walked around some streets and grabbed lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Mellow Mushroom.

I love all the alley ways in between the buildings in Charleston- its truly beautiful there!

 Next, we went on the trolley and got off at Waterfront Park which overlooks the Charleston Harbor.

Pineapple Fountain!

The well known Pineapple fountain... I couldn't wait to see it. Jeff kept rolling his eyes every time I mentioned the pineapple fountain... but once we were there, he did agree that it was pretty neat.

So disappointed Brooke didn't want to join us for a family picture :-(

Just breathtaking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another trolly ride!

 We went into this cute store called IT'SUGAR. Well I would have personally loved to look around longer than we did... but we walked in and quickly had to leave. Avery grabbed a gummy bear right out of the candy bins in the front of the store as soon as we walked in and said "yummm... good." She kept reaching for more and wouldn't listen, she wanted everything- we just had to leave. Oops!

Look at the size of that candy!!!!!

We drove around a bit and went to Moes for dinner and then walked on the Cooper Bridge. 

Before heading back to the hotel for the night we drove by this theater on King Street. I just adore my Nicholas Sparks books and movies and this was the movie theater that Noah and Allie go to in the movie, The Notebook. Mostly all of the movie is shot in Charleston.

What a blast Jeff and I had in Charleston. I can't wait to go back there!!
And finally... the kids are ready for some fun for the week...