Day 2 - Middleton Place

On Day Two we went to Middleton Place.  It isn't very far from Magnolia but it is very different.  The gardens are much more formal and it is very, very big.  Lots and lots of walking.  Here we are just out of the car and ready to go. I think they were already getting tired of me taking pictures of them but they behaved pretty good.  (Mollie, Tanya, Rick and Kirby)

Rick and I had fun taking each others picture taking each others picture!

There was an airshow at the Air Force Base that day and these guys flew over for quite some time.

Say "Cheese" everyone!

It really isn't THAT much beer - the bottles are empty!

I was a good girl here - I didn't touch anything!  Pretty cool stuff!

After we saw this sign, we didn't let Rick eat anything.

The boys were being silly - AGAIN!  See the picture below taken in 2006 in St. Augustine, FL!

You can click HERE to see some pictures of the gardens.

Magnolia Swamp Gardens

When we finished our picnic at the Plantation Gardens we made our way to the Swamp Gardens.  It only takes about an hour to walk through the swamp.  Part of the walk is on raised boardwalk and part of it is on the levies from the rice fields that used to be there.  Wildlife is very plentiful with alligator warnings.  We were very respectful of them but they mostly were hiding from us. 

This old tree that Tanya is hugging is located in the little cemetery that is near the swamp.  You can see a headstone behind the tree.

The trails are a wonder no matter what time of year you visit.

All of the green behind them is called Duck Weed.  When I first visited I thought it must be an algae sitting on the water but later learned that it is a tiny plant that provides food for the waterfowl that live there.
Click HERE to see more of my swamp pictures.

Magnolia Gardens

Kirby, Tanya, Mollie and Rick

Rick and Tanya came from Kentville, Nova Scotia to stay the week with us and tour around the Lowcountry.  When Mollie heard they were coming, she had to be here too.  We had such a good week playing as hard as these old folks could play!  They really kind of got tired of me say, "Ok, everyone say cheese!", but they did it anyway!

I think we need to hear the music from "Tiptoe through the Tulips" except there were no tulips!

Hiding in the Azales - Rick, Tanya, Mollie and Kirby

We finished off our tour of the gardens with a nice picnic. The weather was perfect~the company the best!

 But this little one didn't think everything was so wonderful.  Needless to say, she found some pluff mud!  Mom kept her cool, found some water and brought a naked child back to their picnic!

And here is a pretty picture. You can see more at my Photo Blog.

Wine Time

Last night the ladies from the neighborhood came over for Wine Time. It is becoming quite The Thing! Everyone brings an appetizer and their favorite beverage. We then spend the evening catching up, making new friends and having fun.

In this picture - Diane, Arlene, Lisa, Pam and Linda.

Christie (my daughter) and Kimberly

Barb and Laura

Christie and Susan were acting out for us!

They had us all rolling on the floor!

Christie and Laura both fit in the oversized chair.

Susan and I danced!

This was early - more food arrived and then disappeared!

Lots of different beverages arrived to but these two were the most popular. Everyone had to try them.

Kirby

Most of you who read my blog know Kirby.  And if you do, then you know that there is only one Kirby.  They threw away the mold!  He is priceless, he is special and I love him very much!  He came into my life one bright and sunny day in 1997 and life has never been the same!  And - if you know Kirby, then you know that I NEVER get a good picture of him....but I did!  Ha Ha, Kirby!  I got a good picture of you!!  You are the best! And I love you!

Townsend Men

 As most people of his generation, Lee is well connected to his cell phone.

Notice Kirby doesn't have a cell phone anywhere evident in this picture!

Dinner Party

We had plenty of reason to celebrate this week.  Lee has been visiting from Hawaii and Casey has come home from Clemson University for Spring Break.  Of course we almost didn't recognize Casey with a beard of all things!!  But the same old charm was still there so we knew it was him!  Here he is with his mother, Christie.

Jake had one of his best friends to spend time with but he didn't really want to share his bed.  But Lacy doesn't mind - she loves cuddling!

Lee and Kirby deep-fried a turkey for us.

If you have never tried to take a picture of my family you have never lived.  They get so tired of my camera but I don't let that bother me.....I just keep on shooting!

Tommy Condon's Pub in Charleston

Lee is here visiting from Hawaii and of course we ended up at Tommy Condon's today.  That made me stop to think of all the times we have taken folks there when they come to visit so then I had to go looking for all the pictures.  There went some time!  First the picture from today.

I didn't want Lee to show his Coors Light as it is pretty bad stuff but I couldn't take the picture AND wrestle the bottle from him.

Ed is Kirby's old Navy buddy and he was visiting Charleston last May.  They hadn't seen each other in about 40 years.

In December of '09 Ken and Connie were here on their boat heading to the Bahamas.

This was Lee's first visit to Charleston to see us, in June of '08, and of course we introduced him to Tommy's.

Three years ago next month we had Rick and Tanya and Steve and Mollie visiting.  We all explored the pubs of the eastern seaboard together when on our boats.

Girls like Tommy's too!  Mollie, Tanya and I found our own table at Tommy's.

And this was our first visit to Tommy Condon's.  It was our anniversary in 2007.

History

It was 1991 and I was working as a cashier at West Marine in San Diego as we prepared our sailboat for cruising to Mexico and maybe beyond. By my working at West Marine we saved more on my discount than I made on my hourly wage. :) But there were benefits of many kinds. The discount on boating supplies was just part of it. I was able to be around other people who had boats and dreams of sailing around the world just like I did. One of those people was a repeat customer named Jim. Jim and I hit it off the first time I waited on him. He asked me to reserve a new Garmin GPS for him at the special price of $850!(can you believe that price??)  He said he was going cruising just like we were! I put the GPS in reserve for him and a few weeks later he came back to claim it. That was the beginning of a long and wonderful friendship.

A year or so later, I was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico when, to my surprise I spotted Jim at the local marina. We both were there fulfilling at least a part of our dream. Fast forward almost 20 years and you will see Jim and I having lunch at Tom Ham's Lighthouse in San Diego. We have both had our Mexico adventure and more!

Jim (Delphis) Whitley and I were meant to be friends!  Somehow we have always remained in touch.  He has been such a great friend and I love him dearly!  (OK, he doesn't like it when I call him Jim Delphis but Delphis was the name of his boat and for a few years that was the only last name I knew for him!)  So, if it is appropriate or proper or possible or whatever - I want to dedicate this page to my dear friend!!  Love you, Jim! 

Balboa Park, San Diego, California

These are simply some pictures that I like of Balboa Park. We went to the Science Museum and when we came out the sun had peaked out from the big rain clouds. Still some clouds moving by but it was a lovely day.

I paid a dollar for this one! I just don't like to take their picture without contributing...makes me feel badly. I don't usually pay much attention to their music - I just love street musicians. They follow their passion.

I know this looks like a parade but it is just the crowds coming along the promanade. I waited until there weren't any people real close to me - they really just kept coming. I had forgotten how many people there are in Southern California!

Don't forget to click on the pictures to get a good look.  So much better that way!