SECRET Garden Romantic Trip for Me~Small dream came true

Dock Street Theatre

I had a very romantic jaunt with my husband to my favorite city, Charleston, SC yesterday.It was romantic because we never, almost NEVER, go any where just by ourselves(not that I didn't miss our youngest son very much ). I had heard that a Secret Garden was being played at Dock Street Theatre,so for about 7 months..I have been pining to go. Then I bought us some tickets a few months ago, and we went yesterday, also antiquing a bit beforehand, and stayed at our favorite hotel, The Indigo Inn. That is us below, at St. Philips Church gate, ( running to the play), taken by a sweet passer-by who volunteered.

I have taken so many pictures at this gate, for so many years.Many of me and many of our children have been taken at this gate. We rushed off to the afternoon play...

I was very happy, as what can be more appropriate than seeing A Secret Garden, in the city of the most beautiful gardens in the country?

We had some balcony seats I picked out, but they were really too tight a fit, you couldn't stretch your legs out at all, so next time, we will get a larger area. I spotted the seats I wanted for next time around. It is a small theatre, which I liked, and the production was well done and just wonderful. We left there and headed back to the hotel for wine and dips and fruits and cheeses, and then out for a dinner at Mercato with live jazz music playing.

It was a chilly night, but nice. We walked everywhere we went.

 It is funny in life, how we all have little dreams and one of mine had been to finally go to a presentation here. Last time Sarah went with me to Charleston, I told her I would  bring her here for a play and dinner, but the time never came.

But I did get to go with my husband, and he enjoyed it very much too.

Back at the hotel, this fountain was directly outside our room, and I heard trickling water all night. You can see that people throw coins in to make wishes. My wish came true this weekend.

I bet yours will too.

take care,

Gina

P.S. I took some pics of Charleston in February, and I will add them in a few days.

Early SPRING In Charleston, South Carolina- March 2012

We took off one day last week and visited Charleston, so nice to live so close to my favorite city. It was hot, about 78 degrees, and moved up into the 80's the second day we were there. The great shot I took above was heading back one evening down Church St. St. Philips church is in the background, spring planters delivering their lushness in my path.

I had time for a quick walk before dinner.

I arrived back at the hotel , changed and then we went walking to a restaurant. You can walk to all restaurants, shops, gardens, etc. here.

That is me and my lovebug, we were all heading out to eat, and as you can see staying at our favorite place to stay in Charleston, The Indigo Inn . I was tired, we were tired, as I had been antiquing in the outskirts of Charleston for about 4-5 hours, with my husband and son.

Yes, they were troopers.

This was a nice antique 19C oil I found there...but let's get back to the gardens.

Charleston was already showing its early Spring debut. I took lots of pictures of window planter boxes, as they are everywhere, and I mean ALL over Charleston.

Then various other shots of pretty Spring.

Let me show you....

Purple hydrangeas.

A tulip garden.

White azaleas pushing through wrought iron.

My favorite little cupids in Charleston, that are the only ones I have seen anywhere that are like my identical twins, that I have in my garden, look...

I have to get my behind out and work in my garden as all my fellow garden bloggers are kicking it with their hard work they are showing in theirs.

Ok, back to Charleston...

I'll just be quiet( if I can here), and show you what I saw.

Do you see how Charlestonians cram so many flowers into one windowbox and it works !? I see I could not stay quiet for even one picture frame.

I will try again.

Early evening picture coming back down Church St.

I give up on no talking.

This one was on Rainbow row.

Rainbow Row, famous grouping of colorful homes near the Battery area.

I have said in previous entries, that Charleston has very small front yards, or no front yards. But that does not stop the residents and business owners from putting out overflowing planters, urns and windowboxes for us to enjoy.

I think this entry is running too long, so I will leave you with a shot of some romantic lovers walking along the battery,it was early morning here, they were holding hands, probably in their late 40's or 50's.

They looked peaceful and happy that morning.

Charleston is for lovers you know, they are everywhere, all ages, holding hands, smiling.

Hopefully I will do an entry of just some people holding hands and looking in love and happy, walking about Charleston.

I will also continue this one of some other garden shots and some funny dog pictures of spoiled pooches in Charleston.

Busy day here, running very behind on all kinds of important tasks,

take care all,

Gina

SIMPLE Joy of a Summer BEACH Day trip to EDISTO Beach

Here we are on the 2nd floor of the Indigo Inn in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Our very favorite charming place to stay in Charleston. My son is being goofy, I told him to stand still and look at me like he loves me...but instead he starts a giggle fit .

I love when kids have giggle attacks.

The fountain down in the courtyard where we eat breakfast. They have a large homemade breakfast, fresh fruit...lots of it, ham biscuits, muffins, pastries, cereals, yogurt, coffee and juices.
I love eating outside by this fountain.
You can hear the water, and watch little birds flying about ...as it is open above to the sky.

I loved her.

This is one of my very favorite pictures I have ever taken. It is of our son, reading out the baseball scores to his dad. He does this every day. He has brought his own box of Honey-nut cheerios for his breakfast as you can see.
He is our picky eater.

He know all the stats , he is a little baseball whiz.

Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves is his very favorite player, and the Braves are SMOKIN' right now in first place for the National League in their division. ( he told me what to write as I do not understand stats).

He is a very happy camper. We are eating up and heading out to Edisto Beach for a quick day trip. 

He is ready to roll soon, plus he is feeding the little wrens who fly down and eat his leftover cherrios and some of a biscuit.

We love this place.

My son picked out this heart stone for me as a gift here below.

He picked out this heart stone for me  ( on one of his many shopping excursions to the market with his dad while I go for my long walks through Charleston neighborhoods ) , and was a very proud 9 year old , as he wants me to put it with my heart rocks on the porch. He gave it to me and asked what was my favorite thing about our Charleston trip ? I told him a few things, and he looks at me and goes , " And getting this as a gift right "
I hugged him and said , " Of COURSE. "

You can see the courtyard from any room here, I took this picture from our room. We packed up and heading out of Charleston , and towards Edisto Beach which is about 50 minutes away. Here is our son after getting a milkshake on the way and he grabbed a beach towel and warmed up. 
Life is good.

Then while we drove down the highway, I spotted this..

A giant old 1960's advertising sign and display for Coburg chocolate milk.

I got a shot of it, I mean how often does someone see a revolving large plastic cow and milk bottle ?

I love chocolate milk.

Tried to get all these ' going there' shots, drove my husband bonkers as he could not stop for me to get the camera focused.
His wife was annoying him.

This is a very scenic little highway, has draping Spanish moss on huge Live Oaks most of the way in to Edisto.

Of course I could almost never get any shots as we were going about 60 mph.

Did barely get this of a woman selling fresh peaches and sweet grass Gullah baskets on the side of the road.

Voila' !! Finally got one great shot of the view you can see driving there.

I took so many pictures , as I enjoy the drive towards something I love...the anticipation when you go on trips to your favorite family destination is so great isn't it ? This little island is very small, not remotely glamorous, a family beach . It is a calming , happy place for us.

That is when I am not destroying the mood by fussing at my husband to slow down for me to take pictures !

He got very annoyed with me...I do recall a argument.

Oh well.

Getting closer. Let me explain again...if you have one drop of romantic blood in your body...the Spanish moss will entice more romance to surface in you along the way.

Almost there.

1 mile to go. 

We're here ! I could not get a picture of the welcome sign as we had cars behind us. And I am sure from your vantage point , you are unable to SEE the beach or ocean as it is just beyond that car in front. But we are HERE.

Quick stop at the Subway for a footlong turkey sub and chips to split, I have drinks packed...and we are off to park at one of the many public parking areas right off the beach.

It is about 95 degrees.
Hot.

Here is little Mr. happy camper.

Wiped out by some waves , little waves, but content.

So hard to capture the sound of the waves, the squawking of the seagulls wanting our chips, the laughing children. I remember laying down, covering my head with my baseball cap, closing my eyes...and listening to all the sounds.

Meanwhile our son found a friend to play with , sorry this photo is so blurry.

They had just wiped out and were going back for more.

I love how young children can make friends so easily.

We packed up within about 3 hours as a storm was coming, went to get a salad and pizza before we headed home.

The place we eat at , we always eat at... has a big screened porch to eat out on. We sit out there with our sandy swimsuits and shorts and relax.
Sweaty , sandy ,  minuscule seashell- bits on our toes people.
Soon we had  to go.
Time to hit the road.

Our son slept the whole way home.

I hope this wasn't too boring...I know you have special places you go too.

Bless you , be safe and sleep well,

Gina

" Thus says the LORD , Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, And it's waves roar ( The LORD of hosts is His name ).." Jeremiah 31:35

Two GREAT Hotels in Charleston, SC--INDIGO Inn & ANDREW Pinckney Inn

Me and my son on the third  floor of the INDIGO INN this Summer

Whenever we go to Charleston, South Carolina , we always stay at one of two places. There are many downtown hotels and bed and breakfasts , and we have stayed at about six different places here before. I am going to start with our very favorite, The Indigo Inn and then I will tell you about The Andrew Pinckney Inn. I will include their web site links by their photos for you to check them out that way too.

Indigo Inn
Link to the hotel: 

Here is the front of the Indigo Inn, it is a smaller hotel...so is the Andrew Pinckney. I do not like large hotels, charm wins out over ostentatious to me every time. There is a large parking lot directly in front that you have to pay 10-11.00 per night to park in, but that is standard here in Charleston as parking is at a premium here.

Center courtyard with atrium, and a fountain

The above center courtyard is where you take your breakfast to, after you get it inside, and relax or take it back to your room on a large silver tray. There was always plenty to eat, fresh cut fruit, cereals, pastries, bagels, ham biscuits, and more. Plus coffee and juices.

Other view of courtyard

When we have our breakfast here, little wrens come down to try to persuade us for some crumbs and we always oblige.

Original jostling , bouncing board

They have some original Southern Jostling boards downstairs by the courtyard for kids or adults to bounce on.

Outside your rooms are the original old wrought iron Charleston benches. 

There are only 40 rooms her, but it is in downtown Charleston and two blocks from the Market, restaurants, museums,and the harbor. The staff is always helpful , and the afternoon wine/beverages, dips, cheese & crackers, fruit, and more is above average in quality for most hotels. It is located at 1 Maiden Lane off of Meeting St. I have the website link at the top picture.

Now let me show you the Andrew Pinckney Inn, right down the street from this one.

Andrew Pinckney Inn
Andrew Pinckney link 

This hotel is also full of charm, most of the rooms are actually across the street from this in a old building. This is the original 1700's building here. They have more limited on site parking, at a fee, and there is a few places behind here to park, or you have to use the parking garage across the street. They have rooms laid out with period furniture, like the Indigo, and they have a terrace for their free breakfast they serve at the location across the street. They do not have wine and cheese in the afternoon, but they do have fresh cookies, coffee and lemonade all during the day in their office. This is a larger hotel than the Indigo, but it is also very charming and you are right in the middle of historic Charleston. You can walk to anywhere you want, no driving once you are here as this is so close to everything you will want to see.
Make sure you stop at the little brochure stands in each hotel as you can get discounts off almost anywhere you want to go , tours, and some local restaurants. 

Andrew Pinckney Inn

Remember when you come here in the Summer it is HOT and HUMID. I do not think many people realize the deep South's weather until they visit Charleston in The Summer. Spring and fall of course are not as bad, but the gardens in the historic neighborhoods are most lush in the Summer. You can go on walking tours or bus tours to see the entire area as well. There are numerous bed and breakfats and hotels in Charleston online, you may find a treasure yourself in one. The rates vary for these hotels, I recall 129.-220. a night, higher on the weekends and also remember you can get your Triple -A discount , military, etc. when you get rates.



Enjoy your day,
Gina


" It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name , O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. " Psalm 92:1-2