Thursday - May 9

A wonderful final day in Charleston....we walked across the street to Harris Teeters for a Starbucks fix and then Kathy and I were off to Budget to get our car for the day.    Claire stayed back to print off her boarding pass.    We got the car, picked up Claire and on our way to Middleton Plantation (about 30 minutes away).    Traffic was good but just as we arrived, the rain started - arghhhh....it was not supposed to rain today but sunny and high of 80???    Fortunately, they had umbrellas for guests, so we each grabbed one, bought our tickets and off for house tour at 10.    So interesting hearing about the Middleton family and their huge plantation where they had 3000 slaves.    The family actually owned 19 different plantations. 

Following the house tour (rain was intermittent), we did a garden walk (Middleton Place has the oldest formal gardens in the country).    Would LOVE to see this place late March, early April when the azaleas are in bloom - would be spectacular.   

Then it was time for lunch and we ate at the restaurant which was very good.    Off to "Beyond the Fields" and all about what the slaves lives were like living at Middleton Place.    Very interesting.

Walked around the grounds some more (so many camellia, azalea and magnolia bushes/trees, but nothing much in bloom now).

 The magnolia trees are just full of buds, but few are in full bloom - did catch this one!

Lunch at Middleton Place 

We left this beautiful plantation around 2:30 and along the way, stopped at the Charleston Coffee Co. for a mid afternoon treat.    Since we had extra time, we drove to Folly Beach (Betty's suggestion from yesterday).    Drove along Arctic Avenue pat all the beach homes and then the downtown area.

Next stop was Bowens Island which friends, John and Beth had strongly suggested we stop at for a "real" low country experience.    It is out in the middle of nowhere and although it is very old and rickety, there are some gorgeous homes.   We arrived at 4:15 and by 4:30, they were lined up.   You order at the counter and they bring food to you!    We so enjoyed our dinners, the beautiful ambiance of low country and after the past 3 nights of eating at high end restaurants, this was a real down-home treat!

 Great food and experience at Bowens Island

 Frogmore Stew (Kathy and Claire)

Excellent shrimp, fries, slaw and hush puppies!   (Pat)

So tomorrow we fly back to TX and IL very early, but what treasured memories we'll take with us - we all 💓💓💓 Charleston.    

Mark had a fun trip to Iowa yesterday to visit his college roommate, Mike and then helped Drew pack up his "stuff" from dorm (few things went into Big Red).   He had his last final late this afternoon and then off to NC and home sweet home for the summer.    Can't believe he's finished with his freshman year.    Neat to see on FB that University of Iowa was one of the top 20 colleges/universities in the country with the "Happiest Students"!!!