"I've Got Some Bad News and Some Worse News!" 11/14 Last chap!

[fairestoneofall]

love your most recent post. that dock is one of my favorite places to sit and just enjoy the area. and i have many pictures of my kids in those trees.

on a side note, i was on james island last night at a photo shoot. we ran into that walmart to get something to drink. i had never been in that walmart (not my side of town). holy hick! i totally thought of you and then understood your reaction to that area.

as far as charleston and living here, yes it is hot. and this summer seemed hotter than normal. i am not originally from this area. i'm from ohio, outside of cincinnati. but i have told my husband many times that i won't move from here. i would move to beaufort or orlando. and that's about it. lol here is home.

 

[Dizneydawn]

Day 6 finish

After we left Boone Hall, we drove about a mile away to the shop they have filled with neat foods, things grown on their farm, a deli counter, ice cream counter and beautiful gifties.

The kids got ice cream, I got a salad and we all split a massive piece of carrot cake. Great food and they had a peanut butter maker that simply crushed nuts and gave you a healthy alternative to the additives Skippy gives you.

Treyner loooves carrot cake!

Carsyn sharing my salad!

Baylor stayin in touch with the girls back home.

***BtW...he is now going back out w/ Abby for the 4th or 5th time. She is one of the twins that when he was 4, asked if he married one, did he get the other one too, like it was a buy one get one deal!


We drove back to the hotel, and got ready to explore a different beach. Kristi actually checked back into the hotel as well because after talking with her boss, she found out work was slow and he was okay with them having another day of vacay!

This time we drove to Kiahwah Island. If we had been paying attention, Isle of Palms, another beach, was right next to Boone Hall. But that was not on our radar at the moment plus this allowed us to pick up Kizzy. The thing with traveling the coastal areas of Charleston is that it often takes longer than you think because you have to drive around marshes and water to get anywhere. Not that it is not scenic, but I have learned there is no direct route and so 14 miles, takes double the time it would in the land locked Midwest.

The drive here was amazing. Really amazing. Past all these homes with horse ranches and this is where they raise polo breeds. Massive homes, massive lands with ornate fencing and I felt like again, a whole other world from downtown Charleston, Folly Beach or even the area around Boone Hall. Such a diversity is nice. So many times one suburb stretches into another suburb with no definition or sense of community. Just a massive blah of tan houses, manicured lawns and no originality. Stepfordville.

This beach is calm. As in not a ripple on the beach. Perfect spot for a couple relaxing and reading books without worrying about a volleyball smashing you in the face. The boys, although impressed with the vast sand, absolutely liked Folly better. I thought again, how nice is it to have a choice of your environment at your fingertips. This place was romantic and quiet.

20 minutes down the road, Folly is happening and people watch central.

Here are some photos of Kiahwah.

We did find a lot of interesting things on this beach, washed ashore.

There were a ton of big shells also but all the ones we found were still filled with living things and so feeling bad, we kept chucking them back into the ocean hoping they could make it.

****Which leads me to a sidebar parable I hope you all like.

There once was a man walking along a beach and he came upon another man who was throwing starfish back into the ocean.

The man watching, was puzzled as it looked like a daunting task. The tide was bringing in the starfish faster than the man was throwing them back out.

So he approached, asking why the man would he spend all this time trying to save starfish, when looking at the beach it was apparent that what he did would not matter. That he could never save all the starfish.

The man, throwing, stopped for a second, paused and then bent down to pick up one more starfish, showed it to the man questioning his action and then threw it as far out as he could. Then turned back to the doubter and said...
"It mattered to that one."


After we left the beach, we stopped on our way back and looked through a closed gate at the tree simply known as Angel Oak. We missed seeing it while you could actually walk under the branches, but it was so worth the view, even after hours.

Angel Oak...the largest tree in SC.

The kids were parched so we ran through Sonic for some drinks.

At Sonic, we saw the absolute coolest car!

We made it to the hotel and everyone was just bushed so Taco Bell it was for dinner. Kizzy was thrilled.

When we got to the hotel, a ice fight ensued with the boys. The girl took pics from inside the van!

That night we did laundry as a storm rolled in. The girls spent their last night together in Kristi's room, laughing, getting to know each other better and playing games.

Carsyn looking like a wackadoo Mulan!

That night I was so tired, I did not even hear the girls come in. I was out!

 

[manntra]

Going back a few....I was thinking who the heck is Michale' Salahi.....Duh!!! Wow....she is something ELSE!!!
Charleston is absolutely beautiful! I'll get there someday. And I will NOT be camping. Love all of the spanish moss on the trees....when I was younger and we stayed at my grandparents in FL I remember being enthralled by it!

Tracy

 

[frzndaqiri]

Oh so entertaining as always! I was thinking about your caveat that this was not a WDW TR that I'm sure I could read a report on your trip to the bathroom and it would be hilarious - then I got to the bit with Baylor and you proved me right!

 

[teedee]

Hi Dawn - I hope all is still going good for you. I've got a little behind, been busy packing and getting ready for our trip. It is finally here, it's been planned for so long that I can't believe it's here. The van is all loaded and we hope to be on the road in just a few minutes. Off site tonight and checking into Pop tomorrow. I don't know if I'll be on line during the week, so I'll probbly catch up when we get back next Sunday.

Terri

 

[Pamlur]

How did we manage to get to page 2? I'll gently nudge it back to page 1 where it is supposed to be.

 

[Dizneydawn]

Hi guys -
I needed to head out of town for a few days. Will be back Wed.

I hope to wrap up the trp by next MON!!

Dawn

 

[Jmee]

Hi Dawn ... over on the podcast board we lurkers have been asked to delurk and let ourselves be known. So this is me trying!!

I know you hate lurkers too, so I wanted to let you know that I've been following your hilarious family and trips for a few trip reports now (including the new pre-trip one), and really enjoy your stories. As you have been told many times in the past (but really, can we hear compliments too many times?) you are a fabulous writer. Thanks for the time and effort you take to share with us, and to let us live vicariously through your fun family.

You keep up the good work, and I will make an effort to speak up now and then!

 

[Dizneydawn]

I am back. Actually got back Wed morning and need to catch up on life but hope to get a post here tonight.

I left town to attend with Carsyn and Baylor a wake in Knoxville, TN.

For those of you who read my TR's, Shannon (Shannn here on the boards,) is a family friend and her Mom was really an inspiration to us. I don't think I can put into words how sad we were last week as the cancer that for so many years had continued to steal away her her body, put on it's final assault.

Susan was the epitome of grace. She was the dictionary definition of a Mother, Sister, Grandmother, friend and hostess. To have met her once would have been a gift to anyone and we were the privileged recipients of being in her home and her presence more often than that.

Susan loved to tell stories, adored putting her sister in her place with a smile, cherished her grandchildren and thought the world of her daughter. The last time we saw Susan was actually on the way back from this trip I am currently writing about. We knew the prognosis was not good and it was crucial for us to take the time to visit and adore her and just sit back and listen. I am so grateful for that evening.

The evidence the cancer was ravaging her body was beyond apparent but the sparkle in her eye and mischievous grin as she dabbed at her mouth during dinner is what I hold in my heart as I write this. I know she is in a better place and I know she is pain free and for that I am overjoyed.

For those left behind, I am deeply saddened.

When we found out the service we could attend would be Monday night, there was not a hesitation for my kids. Driving 18 hours each way in a 3 day turn around is not a fun prospect. The irony is we took the Mustang and so, as squished as Dan and I might have been in October, add another body in the mix. The real truth was though, that there is no travel distance, no amount of leg cramps, that would have prevented us from going. The kids were adamant that they be there and that, my internet friends, will tell you the kind of lady she was. She was a once in a lifetime person and she will be missed.

This is the last picture we took in July during our visit. Susan is in the yellow holding Kizzie and Caroline, her beloved sister and partner in laughs, is in black.

 

[mom2AandL]

Hi Dawn

I am a lurker who is coming out for this trip report. I loved every moment of it so far. You had me laughing out loud and leaning in closer to read more all at the same time. After the shooting incident at Hopkins yesterday, I needed a good laugh.

I am sorry to see the loss of a friend. Cancer sucks, and I have lost a few dear ones myself. The memories are what get us through times like these. Saying a prayer for Shannon and her family.

I am slowly trying to come out from behind my comfortable lurking couch and trying to post here and there. Isn't it amazing how much history is right here on our own soil and most of us have never seen half of it? I drove cross country twice when I was in my twenties and the sights I saw will never compare to flying to the airport and just seeing the regular tourist spots. I met some great people on my journey and those memories are ones I keep with me always. I hope to take my boys on many trips when they get a little older to see some of the greatness our country has to offer.

Now I have to go back and read your other TR's to see all this great writing I missed. Thanks for sharing with all of us!

 

[Dizneydawn]

love your most recent post. that dock is one of my favorite places to sit and just enjoy the area. and i have many pictures of my kids in those trees.

Oh mannnnnn...I know where I would love some family pics taken......
on a side note, i was on james island last night at a photo shoot. we ran into that walmart to get something to drink. i had never been in that walmart (not my side of town). holy hick! i totally thought of you and then understood your reaction to that area.
LMAO!

Love all of the spanish moss on the trees....when I was younger and we stayed at my grandparents in FL I remember being enthralled by it!
Tracy

I had never seen it in person until my 20's and think it looks so elegant and such a neat reminder of porch nights and tire swings....

Oh so entertaining as always! I was thinking about your caveat that this was not a WDW TR that I'm sure I could read a report on your trip to the bathroom and it would be hilarious - then I got to the bit with Baylor and you proved me right!

Is it scary I read your mind???

Hi Dawn - I hope all is still going good for you. I've got a little behind, been busy packing and getting ready for our trip.
Terri

Can't wait to hear about your trip and all the fun adventures! I see you have a new ticker!!!

How did we manage to get to page 2? I'll gently nudge it back to page 1 where it is supposed to be.

Okay...you have me stumped. I am not sure I have a clue what this means!!!!

Hi Dawn ... over on the podcast board we lurkers have been asked to delurk and let ourselves be known. So this is me trying!!
Really...asked to show yourselves like bedbugs when the lights are out and flashlights on???? Do tell why they are asking. I am honestly curious! Thank you also for reminding me I have not been listening to the podcast for some time now....need to go do that!
I know you hate lurkers too, Not hate..just do not understand! Thanks for the time and effort you take to share with us, and to let us live vicariously through your fun family.
I really am so glad people enjoy these little vacations and glad I have written the stories of them down so when I am 75 and do not remember what we did, it will be like a new trip for me too!!!!
You keep up the good work, and I will make an effort to speak up now and then!

I would love that!!!

Hi Dawn

I am a lurker who is coming out for this trip report. Yeah!!!! 2 de-lurkers in a few days....I feel blessed!
I am sorry to see the loss of a friend. Cancer sucks, and I have lost a few dear ones myself. The memories are what get us through times like these. Saying a prayer for Shannon and her family.
I appreciate that a ton.
I hope to take my boys on many trips when they get a little older to see some of the greatness our country has to offer.
You absolutely must do that!!
Now I have to go back and read your other TR's to see all this great writing I missed. Thanks for sharing with all of us!

Let me know when you are done reading them! I would love to know what you think!

 

[Dizneydawn]

Day 7

We bid adieu to Kristi and Marissa and then we went to the beach. This time we chose to go to the beach right in front of the main pier on Folly. First though, we wanted to drive into the Citadel and look at the free museum it had.

Driving into the Citadel in the Booger was awesome. I mean how much more Talibanish can we look like with a caravan of cr@p on our van? All you needed to add was one part camel and one part lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala and you would have had nomads from the desert.

Gypsies of the sand.

(BTW....side story...Last Christmas when we were down in Florida, the boys were in the bathroom at Epcot and thought they were alone. In their respective stalls, they noticed how the walls echoed and were saying funny things to hear it come boomeranging back. Then Treyner did the whole lalalalalalalalalalalala thing because he really is good at it. They had also done Hola! and Ciao! and other greetings mind you. Well the lalalalalalalalalala was last, they both cracked up because it echoed so well and as they walked out, here was a man who was obviously from the Middle East in ancestry at least, washing his hands.

He looked at them like they were insane, Treyner and Baylor mumbled sorry and they were just kidding around and tried to explain they were just yelling out greetings they knew in foreign languages.

Yeah....That made him understand their lunacy better.

They came out looking so sheepish I was not quite sure what they could have possibly done in a bathroom to look like they had just been caught with their shirts off on Space Mountain.

They explained. Treyner said he felt so bad and Baylor just said comedy is only funny depending on your audience. He thought a bunch of Canadians might have laughed since they could not figure out anything besides EH! to yell out as a hello from people in Canada! )

Okay, where was I?

Oh yes.

The Citadel.

We found it okay, parked near construction guys because it is a campus and that is all that happens on a campus in the summer. We walked into the museum from a side entrance only to find out it was a library and after walking the stacks of magazines and students studying, made our way back out, past the same construction workers who I am sure were thinking we were looking for a place to bunker down for the night.

Leah took proof we were idiots.

Walked to the front of the museum to find out that the summer hours were not accurate on line and the place did not open at 10:00 a.m. but rather 2 p.m.

We were totally not waiting for 4 hours but we did walk the grounds a bit, past the construction workers we had now passed 3 times in 5 minutes and were on their walkies calling in for security after spying invaders.

The kids thought the square in the center was amazing.

After the Citadel, we decided to go and try to find the entrance to this amazing bridge we had seen several times.

In fact we drove by a few places, trying to get a better view from a distance.

Then, we headed towards the beach!

 

[eeyoresnr]

WOW...that bridge is amazing!

 

[Pamlur]

Originally Posted by Pamlur
How did we manage to get to page 2? I'll gently nudge it back to page 1 where it is supposed to be.

Okay...you have me stumped. I am not sure I have a clue what this means!!!!

Sorry, didn't mean to be confusing. I didn't realize you were gone, and when the trip report wasn't posted on for a few days, it drifted back to page 2. I was just posting to bring it back to the first page.

I'm so sorry there was such a sad reason for your absence, too.

 

[Jmee]

Really...asked to show yourselves like bedbugs when the lights are out and flashlights on???? Do tell why they are asking. I am honestly curious! Thank you also for reminding me I have not been listening to the podcast for some time now....need to go do that!

John asked for lurkers to come out and declare themselves, and is now busy trying to get them to start threads over on the podcast board (not on the podcast itself). I think since they've started the show where they discuss threads here on the boards they are taking a more vested interest in involving people. Also, they often hear from people that listen to the podcast but lurk or are not much involved with the boards (kinda the opposite of you these days? ;

So I'm trying, anyway!

So sorry for your loss...even when it doesn't come as a shock losing someone you care about is hard.

I've really enjoyed hearing about your adventures in South Cackalacky...Charleston is one of my favorite cities on earth!! Looking forward to hearing the rest...

 

[Dizneydawn]

Day 7 Cont'd

We arrived at the beach excited to change quick in the nice pier restrooms and hit the water! Again, it was beyond warm and the wet if not cool water would at least help.

View of the beach in front of the Holiday Inn from the changing area.

This area is more congested than others due to the beach houses and hotels. Perfect for people watching and not too crowded to have to buy a stake for the sand to mark your territory.

We situated ourselves close to the pier and the poor lifeguards spent more time blowing their whistles to warn swimmers they were too close to the pier than anything else. Eventually we got used to what each tweet meant and I stopped panicking every 3 minutes. I do think though that if there were a shark in the waters or a swimmer struggling, nobody would pay attention at first because the whistles seem to just blur in your eardrums after awhile.

The life guard chairs on the outskirts of the beach were the boundary lines for no swimming. Since we were so close to the outer guard chair, we probably noticed it more than others might have.

The girls walked the beach fro awhile and found a sand dollar.

It smelled ripe and was still alive obviously so they threw it back in, hoping it would survive.

Smile Carsyn!

I don't think girls ever tire of self photo shots! Remember back in the day you had to go into a booth and take 5 goofy shots with your friend and it would print them out on a strip for you? They still have one at the Boardwalk at WDW.

Our skim board and somebody that might be Treyner but I think not due to the hat. Probably someone the girls thought was hot.

The boys had the boogie boards out to the left of the pier where the waves seemed to be stronger and some kids were attempting to surf. Dan and I swam around both sides and then...I felt sea sick.

Like I might hurl and I don't mean a baseball.

So we walked into the shade under the pier and I laid down on the sand. No towel. No blanket. Just me and the sand and it felt cool and good.

The world stopped spinning and it might have reminded me of a few college nights when the cool tile of a bathroom floor was better than your momma hugging you as a child.

I kept taking slow, deep breathes and eventually, I asked Dan to lie down next to me just to see how great it was.

Actually I was just worried I would pass out and he would leave me alone, snoring on the sand like some hobo.

He did and we actually both napped. I have no idea if either of us snored but when I came to, it felt like a few hours may have passed by.

It was the best nap I have ever had. The sound of the waves, the seagulls squawking, the kids laughing and even the treasured noise of sand shifting under you as the waves moved in and out. It was hot out but perfect temp in the shade and I am wishing I could bottle that moment forever. It might be one of my favorite memories of the whole trip.

No stress. Kids are old enough to be on their own and I am not panicked from the beach, counting heads. Carsyn was happy because she had a friend to enjoy and did not feel like odd woman out from the boys.

Just Dan and I, asleep for an hour, doing nothing and enjoying everything.

The pier that we found sanctuary under.


It was time to head out and everyone gathered their things and headed back to the pier to rinse off and head out. The boogie boards had finally met their match and after almost 8 years of use and abuse and traveling to Florida multiple times, Cancun and South Padre, they were toast. Broken in the middle or front and ready to say goodbye. Money well spent and definetley a expense we will need to do plan for next summer.

When Dan and I met on the walkway of the pier with the boys, Treyner was giving Baylor grief about his lack of manly skills after it was beyond obvious a few girls were hitting on him.

I guess they followed them on the beach and on the pier, even trying to engage Baylor into a conversation by telling him that they liked his hair cut. Baylor had just mumbled at them and shrugged his shoulders but never actually made any attempt to talk.

Treyner kept chiding him, Baylor kept saying if Treyner would not have been there he would have been big man on campus and meanwhile the girls are there and Leah asks Treyner which girl it was.

Treyner points her to Leah and Leah trudges down on the sand to get the girls number or at least give Baylor's to the girl. It was hystarical! Baylor looked worse than Carsyn had with Mr. Perkins!

Leah trying to get Baylor at least a number! Leah is in orange.

She came back and said they told her they had no clue who Leah was talking about. Leah said she must be mistaken and came up and told Baylor they did not know who he was.

Turns out after Baylor was looking at the pic Carsyn snapped, they were the wrong girls! Treyner did not have his glasses on and pointed to the wrong people!

We left the pier area, and stopped quickly at a store on Main Street that had this sarong type dress/shirt thing Carsyn loved. I got a shirt for Dan and I and Leah picked one out for her sister.

We made it back quickly to the hotel after the shopping, noticing a massive truck trailer with my name on it at our exit!

We showered and decided to head out that night to a pizza place I found great reviews of. Dressed up a bit more than normal for this trip and with no sand in the hair, we left! Carsyn was wearing her new purchase!

The place is called EVO and it is a sustainable, wood fire pizza place that critics raved about!

Let me tell you, it was the best pizza I have ever had. Hands down, amazing.

We ordered 2 pizza's and by the time we all took our first bites, we knew the Pork Trifecta would be needing a follow up! This will be the place we have everyone go eat at when we are down there for the wedding. It is delicate and smokey and I am telling you simply melt in your mouth, not over powering, made from scratch, pieces of heaven!

Here is some food shots I have stolen without permission cause I am a rebel.

We enjoyed: house made focaccia ~ $4.00
focaccia served with california olive oil

Very good but not worth the room when you want to wait for ....

Pork Trifecta: housemade sweet sausage, pepperoni, smoked bacon, house mozzarella, and red sauce

We also enjoyed:

pistachio pesto:
pistachio pesto, goat cheese, crème fraîche, house mozzarella, parmigiano-reggiano and sea salt.

This was good but that Trifecta...was to die for fantastic.

We got a few sweet treats to try also amongst everyone. A piece of chocolate peanut butter fudge made from goats milk and actually from a farm in Anderson!! Dan tried to lie and say it was bad but even I who normally am not a huge peanut butter fudge fan, thought this was fantastic!

We also split one candy bar that was dark chocolate/caramel/sea salt from a sweet tooth company in Charleston. That was so good that Leah bought one for the road to bring home and give her Dad and Mom! I am absolutely fan of sea salt and chocolate. Those who have not gone to the dark side, so not know what you are missing!

Again, fresh, local everything from dinner to dessert and it made this next to Ohanna's, probably my favorite dining experience in a long while.

Here are some shots from the night!

 

[grumpyyoungguy]

I kept taking slow, deep breathes and eventually, I asked Dan to lie down next to me just to see how great it was.

What Dawn failed to mention was everything was fine with her lying there at least until I lied down then a balooga whale jumped out of the surf and onto the beach next to me singing

"We are Fam-il-y..."
Apparently I bear a family resemblence

 

[manntra]

at the boys in the bathroom in Epcot last year!! They will get banned from Disney property yet!!!
Looks like you had a nice relaxing day (and entertained the construction workers ) wrapped up with some delicious looking pizza!! Carysyn's dress is cute and I love all of their self portraits

Tracy

 

[Whitleigh]

What Dawn failed to mention was everything was fine with her lying there at least until I lied down then a balooga whale jumped out of the surf and onto the beach next to me singing

"We are Fam-il-y..."
Apparently I bear a family resemblence

I literally Lol'd at that one, too funny!

Looks like you had tons of fun, Leah may not like the pic where she looks totally naked though...

 

[burly]

Dawn, it's the peaceful little stretches of nothing, that sometimes make the best memories.

Pizza's look great!

KIM