A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure and remembered with nostalgia. I love that my family gets together for the big birthdays...not on the actual day, that would be hard, but we would not miss it for the world! This year was my dad's 80th and my sister Christeen's 50th birthdays. They chose Charleston as the location to celebrate and it was a fast, fun two and half days! I don't believe we could have crammed in one more activity!
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The Hampton Inn was a pleasant surprise. Located in the heart of the city
it is a charming location. A restored Rail Road warehouse - the character
is rich and nice to know that the city preserves it's architecture and does
not just replace it. It is the only antebellum hotel in the area, or better known
for a structure that existed pre-war. Wonderful to keep these buildings for
generations to appreciate. |
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| Beautiful rooms.... |
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| Not such a great view.... |
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| Stunning lobby.... |
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Cathleen and Christeen are not researching Charleston
history....this is the album of local restaurants!
They had their work cut out for them....they all looked great! |
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| The patio.... |
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The pool.....the only time it looked like this...
the hotel was full to capacity this weekend! |
Everyone's HERE!
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| Dad is always surprised that Grady continues to grow! |
Friday night dining....fun place, great table and we
were able to watch the Olympic Ceremonies!
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| Breakfast of Champions! Crispy Cremes! |
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| Gifts for the girls... Caeley |
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Hollis looks at the back pack from India, a Olympic
pen from London and 5 Dirhams from the UAE! |
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| Caeley and Hollis get a gift from Grandma and Grandpa. |
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| Hollis thinking "this is much better than dirhams." |
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| A familiar look - Dad in deep thought! |
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| Cathleen and Grady. |
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| Hollis, Alison and Dad |
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| Hollis, Alison, Dad and Caeley. |
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| Grady and Grandma Dolores. |
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No serious picture here....caption, caption????
I got nothing! |
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| Much better Grady....just two days....not long enough! |
Time to Explore!
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| Free City Trolley..... |
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Luckily the Visitor Center is directly across the street!
One of the best I have ever been to - truly one stop to
discover all the activities and places to see. |
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| Waiting for the trolley! |
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| A must do in Charleston - the Carriage Tour! |
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| Groups are heading out.....almost our turn! |
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My finger is pointing to Arizona, but if you see the
yellow push pin.....I added Abu Dhabi! |
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| Still waiting patiently.....but look entertainment...they're donkeys! |
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Heading out we travel through maintenance where the horses
receive feed, water and fans......and wee bit of shade! |
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We had the best tour guide "Professor" a retired
professor from the College of South Carolina. |
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Love all the churches and majestic steeples and spires.
Just magnificent!A city dating back to the late 1600's the
city is full of churches of all denominations. St. Phillips
Episcopal Church and it's a National Historic Landmark
with the first church on the site built in 1861. The
construction was partially funded by duties on rum and
slaves. After surviving one fire that was extinguished by a
black slave, he was given his freedom for his courage. Then
the church completely burned in 1835 by a kitchen fire and
rebuilt from 1835 to 1838. One cool factoid, the steeple was
designed by E. B. White.... the famed author of Charlotte's Web.
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This picture and the one below are
St. John's Lutheran Church |
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St.John's Lutheran Church is the oldest Lutheran Church from
1816 and suffered damage in the Charleston earthquake 1886
and the hurricane of 1891 and restored. |
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| The Red Door and Gate to the Unitarian Church |
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Unitarian Church, a National Historic Landmark, the oldest Unitarian
church in the South. Although originally it was the Independent Church
and not organized until 1825, but still is the oldest Unitarian church in
the South. Built in 1772, however construction was halted due to the
Revolutionary War. |
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Cathedral of St. John the Baptiste - a Catholic Church.
Built in 1854 burned down in the Charleston Fire of 1861.
The structure is made of Connecticut tool-chiseled brownstone. |
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| A new steeple - just two years new. |
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| Beautiful Architecture |
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The Sword Gate on Legare Street is impressive and added to the
house, then a school for girls in 1838. The walls were added and
extended to keep the girls in the academy and the boys out.
Today the property is for sale....you can pick up this property for
23 Million.....pocket change! You're not just getting a house....but history. |
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| Famous row houses in Charleston |
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| Many renovations in the city.... |
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Basketry has a long history from before the Civil War from slaves
from Africa bringing their skill of weaving to the South. |
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| A Red-Neck Wine glass.....but we all want one! |
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When I went on the carriage tour he went to
visit the freighter with Chip, so the next day
we rented bikes and I gave him the tour.
"Mom, how do your remember all this stuff?" |
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| The water front. |
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| Let the party begin! |
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| Christeen and Chip |
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| Dolores and Dad |
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| Bob and Katie |
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Dolores, Dad, me
Christeen, Cathleen and Alison |
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Dolores, Dad, me, Grady
Christeen, Chip, Caeley, Alison, Hollis and Cathleen |
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| Dad and Grady |
Time to Cool off and RELAX!
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| Ouch....someone got some sunburn! |
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| Dad and his niece Katie. |
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| Cousins....Katie and me |
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| Grady.....last night before leaving for Basic! |
Three Words: Fastest Weekend EVER!
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