LOW COUNTRY

We were traveling again last weekend. Mike had some business in Charleston and I had never been, so I tagged along. It rained...cold and rainy when we arrived on Thursday, warm and rainy when we left. The weather didn't keep us from enjoying the sights though, and the food was amazing...fried green tomatoes, pimiento cheese, shrimp and grits. It is possible to have fried green tomatoes at every meal, and I did the first day, hoping that 20,000 steps on my Fitbit would keep them off my hips.

The business...East Coast Paddlesports Festival.

We did a lot of walking, some bike riding, and were graciously hauled around the city in a carriage by this handsome guy, oddly named, Facebook.

Facebook, the carriage horse.

We were fortunate to get a cottage at James Island County Park where the paddle festival was held. It's a short drive from the city and there's a shuttle if you don't care to drive. If you're going to Charleston in the springtime, book a room well in advance. We were told weekends from mid-April on are extremely busy.

Our cottage. No, we're not drinking Boone's Farm! That's wine we bought at Boone Hall Plantation.

My hair disturbed me. Twenty minutes outdoors in the mist and humidity, and it began to look like this...

Spanish moss.

My hair only looks like this at home when we're having a hurricane. Mike's hair was undisturbed. 
Wandered through the Unitarian churchyard with my camera. It was lovely, despite the drizzle, but wildly overgrown. The Unitarians need to pull some weeds.

I have window box envy.

I was sorry to learn that this creeping fig won't thrive in our area.

There were so many flowers in bloom. Our carriage driver said that there is a new bloom for every month of the year.

Left the city for a tour of Boone Hall Plantation.

Slave cabin. The bricks were made at Boone Hall.

The cotton gin awaits restoration.

On Saturday evening, we took advantage of a break in the rain and made the short drive to Folly Beach to dip our toes in the ocean. 

By Sunday, we were anxious to get home to our animals. We have an excellent house sitter, Rebecca Addy of Happily Home Services, but poor Nigel thinks we just bring this nice lady in occasionally for him to babysit. He takes his job seriously and follows her everywhere. Exhausting! He spent most of yesterday like this.

Next weekend, we are staying home and turning our attention to our own property...weeds to pull, fence rails to replace, grass to cut.

Don't forget tomorrow is Earth Day. You only get one Mother. Go here for more info. www.earthday.org/2015

XO.