In 1939 when Rhett Butler (aka Clark Gable) said those infamous words leaving Scarlett crying in her mansion, a crowd of teenagers in a local theater stood up cheering. They cheered for their city, now named one of the best cities in the world, Charleston SC. No, that's not recorded in a history of film book anywhere. I heard it as a little girl, crawled up next to my grandmother listening to stories about her home.
This past July my Mom, myself and some friends travelled down to Charleston SC. We piled up in a van and drove the eight hours from DC to land in Charleston around six pm. I noticed my mom's face soften and I could tell she was recalling the summers of her childhood spent with her grandparents and cousins. What crossed my mind was... GRANDMA why on earth did you let Papa take you up to the frigid northeast?! You see my grandparents had a very notebookesque story. They met at a USO dance right after the war. They fell in love and started a life together in my native CT. But I still feel a connection to this place. My wonderful aunt lives there. The history is amazing. The southern cuisine is sooo delicious I promise you won't eat for days after you return home from your visit.
My tips for a visit:
Go to the battery. The history lover will just swoon at the homes that overlook the harbor. You can't help but imagine yourself walking one of the balconys waiting to attend a party.
Rainbow Row. Quick but worth it. You can end your walk of the battery here.
The Hominy Grill. Reccomended by my Aunt Honey and to die for! Pumpkin Ginger Bread is a must.
Avoid the busy beaches and if you want to sun yourself go to one of the islands.
Mt. Pleasant. Dinner at the Shrimp Boats.
Charleston Tea Plantation. The only tea planatation in America and free samples. Cheap tour 10$.
The Angel Oak. Breathtaking.
Walk the Old Village in Mt. Pleasant. If you look closely at some of the shops you can see old signs from the '40s.
Magnolia Cemetary. No one will be there, but you can learn so much from a cemetary. The old Civil War graves send a chill right through you.
The Citadel. My grandparents were married here after the war. There is a beautiful Church and a small museum that gives you some interesting facts about students throughout the centuries.
Pineapple Fountain. Just for a neat picture. You can wade in it "at your own risk."
So even though I went on this trip before I started my blog I wanted to share it with you all. Charleston is a place where you can truly experience the beauty of the South and a piece of United States History.
Some photos from my trip:
Doris and Herbie. The Grandparents. LOVE.
The McClenaghan Family home.
You cannot visit Charleston and not get Chicken and Waffles. A personal favorite.
My Mom and I on the Battery.
The shrimp boats in Mt. Pleasant.
Although I went to Charleston awhile ago I wanted to share this with you all in the hopes you will pack up a car on a long weekend and GO! Experience this wonderful city.
