Charleston, South Carolina

I am unsure if there is a more charming place in America outside of Charleston, South Carolina. This city took our breath away and surprised us in so many ways. The drive down was a bit tumultuous seeing as Riley had a bit of food poisoning and threw up pretty bad while we were in traffic due to a car accident. Standing outside a fast food restaurant cleaning her up in the 90F humid heat of summer in the south was pretty brutal, ha, but we made it and driving in was so serene! The bridge taking us over and away from the city into Mount Pleasant to our AirBnb was really neat. It felt like we were back in Sweden crossing over to Copenhagen in a way.

The trees and nature here were astounding, the most I’ve ever experienced in a “big city”. Which, it really didn’t feel big at all, it is the most perfect size. We settled into our bungalow that evening and in the morning decided to take turns staying home with Riley while she recovered from her little stomach bug (poor thing, it was her first one, and she had to miss the city). But it really worked out well because it was so stinking hot and getting to go out each on our own to walk the city however we pleased was a pretty big treat. Neither of us have gotten the chance to do that in many years.

During Scott’s outing he took the pictures below, it was funny because without really discussing it much beforehand we actually took many of the same paths winding around Charleston’s downtown. So darn charming and everyone was as kind as ever, just as in the upstate. Even the homeless (the very few) tipped their hats at me and said things like “congratulations mam” and “you are glowing!”. I loved being pregnant in the south. Everyone walks up and talks to me right away when I enter a place. Harkin’s Cafe was my favorite spot and the women in there one by one talked with me about how wonderful children are and asked me all sorts of questions. Just the most genuine sweetness you could imagine.

Scott brought Riley back the cutest little Peter Rabbit music box from the bookstore he visited and she was delighted as all get out. It was so sweet. Our precious puny girl was a trooper. We were able to take her down the dock in our neighborhood that evening for her to see the outside a bit. There were deer as well in the neighbors yards and people fishing down the docks. It was very peaceful and felt like a chapter out of many books I had read as a little girl taking place in the south. I wish to return here over and over.

We were only in Charleston for two nights, on our last morning we woke and Riley was all better! We decided to pack up and take her to Sullivan’s Island beach after stopping for some coffee and breakfast. It was so beautiful! Oh these southern beaches! And that warm water. Almost too warm. But I was ecstatic to change into my suit at the last minute and jump in for a swim. We only had about 50 mins at the beach before needing to leave to drive to the airport to catch our plane. We definitely made the most of it! Even found a few live sand dollars at our feet we were able to show Riley and she thought they were very cool. I did too, I had never seen live ones before.

I’d take this beach any day, thank you for the warm welcome, Charleston.