This past week I went to visit my parents in their new home! They recently moved to Charleston, SC after living in the Chicagoland area for about a year and I am so excited to get to visit them in warmer weather. No offense, Chicago. I’d never been to Charleston, but I have heard so much about the history, architecture, and food. Visiting downtown Charleston truly is like stepping back in time and seeing that many historical buildings in one place this side of Atlantic is pretty incredible. I was actually felt a bit of culture shock while on tours because let’s just say Charleston culture and Washington, DC culture are a bit different. The concept of “old money”and the history of the slave trade were a bit foreign to me as a yankee, but was fascinating to learn about. I’ll be honest, I could not stop thinking about The Notebook on pretty much all of the tours we went on. I think I need to watch it again and maybe visit some of the places where it was filmed on my next visit. Don’t judge me.
My parents and I went on a carriage tour of downtown Charleston. The tour guide was great and as University of Michigan fans we loved his anti-Ohio jokes. No offense Ohio.
My dad’s love of animals came out as he greeted our horse, “Kevin”. This is a trait I did not inherit.
My mom, my aunt Janet, and I toured two plantations during my visit, Drayton Hall and Magnolia Plantation. I thought both plantations were absolutely beautiful and I really enjoyed touring them. I’d never been to a plantation before and I felt that it gave me a whole new perspective of slavery in the US. I would highly recommend touring both plantations and I am hoping to make it to a few others on my next visit. (get ready Trier family)
I really couldn’t get enough the Spanish moss. I just think it’s gorgeous.
My mom and I getting ready to go in to the Magnolia Plantation.
A slave cabin and more of that Spanish moss. I actually have about 200 photos of Spanish moss but I will spare you all.
I could not believe how many alligators live in the Charleston area. I also could not believe how the locals don’t seem phased at all by their presence. Um, the alligators are huge and could kill you…isn’t that just a bit scary? We went on a pontoon ride tour at Magnolia. These marshes used to be the rice paddies of the plantation.
The plantation also had beautiful gardens which I would love to explore more on another visit…maybe when it’s warmer.
It was a great trip. I am excited to bring Dave with me for Christmas.
What a great visit! I’d trade Charleston over Chicago any time too 🙂 I have always wanted to visit Charleston and especially those plantations. You really captured the beauty of this historic city. Love your photos of the Spanish moss. I’m a bit unsure about all those alligators though. Thanks for stopping by my blog and glad to have found your wonderful blog in return.
Thanks Mary! I really enjoyed my trip. I would highly recommend Charleston. You and your cute family should make the trip someday!
Beautiful. I would love to know more about the difference in cultures between DC and Charleston! I was just looking up flights to Charleston from here after so many people told me how nice of a place it is!
There is definitely plenty of *old money* up north as well!
Thanks Anwar! You are right, we definitely have old money in the Georgetown area and others. I suppose the difference I was noticing was how ‘rooted’ the people of Charleston seemed to be. For example, the houses had been in the same families for centuries and one can’t get married in a cathedral unless your family had been members for 5 generations, etc. Washington DC is such a transient city – people rarely live here for more than a few years, so that was a big difference for me. I was also unaccustomed to the pace of life. In DC everyone is in a hurry, always trying to get somewhere, I didn’t feel that in Charleston. Thanks for visiting Anwar.
Hi Erica, thanks for sharing a bit of Charleston. It’s one city that I always like to visit. I have heard so much of its charm, history and the great food culture. I can’t wait to visit myself one day. Your plantation tour looks lovely. I enjoyed all the photos, especially the Spanish moss photos. Hey, I don’t mind seeing more:) I hope you do another post on Charleston when you and Dave visit in Christmas.
Thanks Marisol. I am sure there will be more Spanish moss photos come December! I am glad someone else finds it just as lovely! I highly recommend a trip to Charleston and the surrounding plantations. In so many ways the city is like opening a time capsule. Thanks for visiting!
Hi. Nice photos. I was wondering to being in SC but never got a chance. After looking your pics that excitement became twice.