A walk down Memory Lane ♥

Daily Lesson:

Keep on moving. Let the scenery inspire you and remind you of loved ones. Smile and know Heaven is Real.

This road trip has been nothing less than a party for my eyesight. We arrived in Charleston around 3pm today, after a short trip to Tybee Island.  Another of Georgia's Barrier Islands, with a small southern beach town feel, a few shops and some chilly ocean air to greet us; we stopped at one artsy junkyard, literally looked like an outside art gallery made from recycled goods. Just my style, after a peruse around the outside uncovered shelves o' many - I went to open the front door to find a  note "We are not in today, whatever you want to buy add 7% sales tax to it - take it and slip the money through this hole." (I should of taken a picture) I sat there for a moment and thought surely this isn't so? I looked around and thought - where is the camera? I showed Jared and we both just laughed. Only in Tybee could this be acceptable.

We headed out to Charleston, 118 miles North. We were both tired when we arrived, but we loaded up baby Shiloh and we were out to explore this colorful historical town. It is much warmer than Savannah which is lucky for me because I have worn my warm clothes down to the threads. This Florida girl brought flip flops and Capri's.  We are staying a rocks throw away from Market Street
- an open aired market filled with homemade sweet grass baskets and thing ma-bobs.

Shiloh took a nap so we took the chance to sit down at the Noisy Oyster and sling em’ back (both oysters and Palmettos - my new fave brews) For starters, we had a stack of green fried tomatoes stuffed with lump crab meat. Oh yea! That sure did put a spin on ole Grandma's recipe. Delish!
Shoulda' took a photo of that too but, it was gone before I had a chance. After an after dinner stroll we headed back. We've been hitting the hay early these days. It’s a welcome change from our 11:30ish bedtime at the home front.

This place has real sentimental value to us, Charleston that is. Back in 2005, we took our last vacation with Jared's Dad outside of Ohio and Orlando hometown visits. That vacation was a great one spent with Kam (Jared's sister), Aunt Teri and the Boys along with Dad & Linda. We visited Charleston and Folly Beach on that trip with a stop in Columbia to visit Aunt Cheri , Josh & Amanda.

We walked these same streets so many years ago, yet it looks the same exact way. Within a block of walking it was clear we were on memory lane. Aw Shucks, The Cigar Shop where the boys picked a freshly rolled cigar and the brewery were just a few of the spots we walked by today that reminded us so vividly of our wonderful times spent with Jared's Dad, Jeff and the family.  A light would sparkle in Jared's eye as the places sparked his memory of his beloved late Father and then a moment of silence as we both kept walking trying not to cry. Family vacations and or day visits with our loved ones are so special. It is all we hold on to after the Lord has taken them home. I urge you this week to call your Grandma, Aunt or a Parent and make plans with them. No matter the time spent, it is the time spent that makes the time special. You will thank yourself later, guaranteed!

Tomorrow our plans are as follows: Horse Carriage ride down Rainbow Row, Visit the house where a portion of the movie Notebook was filmed (while watching that movie, Jared told me he knew he would marry me. I wonder if he second guesses that choice sometimes lol) and being memorized by the Angel Oak - the oldest Oak tree East of the Mississippi spanning 17,000 ish square foot and dining at an unknown location all while the weight of the world is carried. By that I mean, we will just BE.  I will deal with all things responsible not a day earlier than Thursday so, leave a message at the beep.

Shiloh keeps calling each new hotel "Home" - I often wonder if she thinks we have moved. I know she loves spending undivided attention with us just romping from place to place. She is my muse.
There is something really fun about living city to city with the 27 bags in tow with only one real mission: to observe and enjoy the time spent together as a family. I am thankful for this trip and for the 2 people I call my family to spend it with me. Home is where the heart is. Tonight mine is room 368.

Ready for Shiloh to go on a "horsey ride,"
Tasha