Baby and the Beach!

We just got back from a marvelous vacation in Charleston, South Carolina. I had never been there before, and I must say it is a truly charming city with lots to do and some of the greatest low-country cooking you can imagine. It even made a grits-lover out of me; and that is no easy task! Pictured here are the historical homes along East Bay Street referred to as Rainbow Row. These places sell for around $2 million; and you have to get approval from the Board of Architectural Review before you can paint them to make sure the color meets with their approval. They are lovely, but the hurricanes get them every few years as well. Pay up your insurance!


Brian, Emily and Katy joined us for a few days, and we toured the city, ate seafood at Hyman's, and shopped . . . well, Emily and I shopped. :-) On the second day, we decided to try the beach. Katy's Grammy sent along some sand toys, so we got to watch her get her first digging experience. I think she may have a place in excavation. The sand was pretty interesting until you got all wet in the ocean and it stuck to you and made you all itchy. Then, when your wicked mommy decides to rinse you off in the cold, sharp shower by the beach house, things can get really nasty. This picture of Katy was taken before the dreaded shower. Everything ended happily, however, when Katy discovered the joy of eating Opa Greg's strawberry cheesecake ice cream. Daddy had to go get another scoop just for Katy to share with Greg since she ate most of his.

On the next day, Brian and Opa Greg decided to chill at the condo while the girls went exploring. Emily and Oma and Katy decided to take in the Magnolia Plantation on the Ashley River that is one of the oldest plantations in the United States. It was started in about 1670 (I think) by the Drake family and has been in that family for something like 12 generations. There was a petting zoo and miles of beautiful gardens to walk through and enjoy. Below are some pictures from that field trip. The deer was in the picture was just checking to see if Katy had food, but it looks like the Bambi kiss from the movie, doesn't it?

"Hello, little girl. Got any pellets?"

This bridge is famous around Charleston. There are lots of artists renderings of it on prints in the marketplace.

Emily and Katy on the foot bridge.