Weekend Recap: Fort Sumter

Friday: Rich's parents were in town for the weekend and we were blessed with quite possibly the best weather you can imagine for your last weekend in Charleston for a few weeks.  The temps were in the upper 80s but made way for glorious nights on our perfect porch.  We were even treated to this sunset on their first night here that we got to witness from our back porch:

Never one to miss an opportunity to beg, Ellie enjoys porch parties the most of anyone.

Rich and I bought these lights at Costco after we moved in.  He painstakingly hung them one day and we really enjoy "Friday night lights". 

Saturday:  We decided to use this beautiful day we were gifted to make our first visit to Ft. Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired upon.  It was a great day to visit the Fort and the 30 minute boat ride to and from the island gave us magnificent photos of our bridge and the Yorktown where we have shared many Charleston memories!

  

Low Country Crabbing

Crabbing in the beautiful low country has been something at the top of my list since moving here.  Often we see folks enjoying the low country by fishing at the local piers and we thought crabbing would be a great way to appreciate all the beauty the low country has to offer while being a bit more active.  While at Kiawah we figured we'd give this bucket list item a big check!

All you need to crab in the low country is:

a crabbing net (we were able to get ours at Seacoast Outfitters on Johns Island for 5 dollars)

twine (found at Seacoast Outfitters on Johns Island for 1 dollar)

raw chicken (we used thinly sliced chicken breasts but we were told that crabs love thicker pieces like thighs)

shoes to wade in the water if you intend to  get in to crab (we didn't pack this and really regretted not having some foot protection since crabs/oysters/shells are underfoot)

twine to use to tie the meat on the net (we cut off a piece of our longer twine to secure the chicken)

Crabbing is most successful 2-3 hours before high tide and 1-2 hours after.  In South Carolina you must throw back any crabs that are less than 5 inches long.  

We were losing our bait at our first location because as the amateur crabbers we weren't aware you MUST tie your bait to the net.  

In our new location we were taught the proper crabbing technique of tying the bait on by a nice man at the river.  

Vacation Day Two:Kiawah Island

Day two brought cloudier skies.  We spent the morning at the Ocean Course, the beautiful, historic golf course at the end of the island and home to what is considered the toughest golf course in America.  Afterward we ate the most amazing of brunches at The Sanctuary's Jasmine's Porch.  The brunch featured bottomless mimosas, multiple different food stations, and a dessert bar that has me still lusting after one more slice of Key Lime Pie.  I think the big brunch winner was the Vanilla Bourbon French Toast.  We've been talking about it ever since.  Here are a few snaps of our Day Two Adventures.  Don't miss Day One of our Kiawah Island Adventure as well!

Dress I scored at the Escapada Warehouse sale here in Charleston at whopping 80% off.  They usually run one in July and January...so you won't want to miss that.

 

This was one of the many, many, many plates that I made while at the Sanctuary Brunch but most importantly it features the French Toast of mention and now perpetual lust.  

 

Weekend Recap: Kiawah Island

I have such amazing and fond memories of Kiawah Island from my childhood.  I remember the smells, the sounds, the excitement, the sadness upon leaving, the animals, the trails, the plants, and the sand with vivid detail.  When my parents kindly invited Rich and I to spend the weekend with them during their vacation rental time, we were counting down the days until we arrived (yes...on a whiteboard in our kitchen!).    Just as I'd imagine the weekend did not disappoint.  There is certainly a reason Kiawah Island is considered one of the most amazing places for a family vacation.  Here are a few snaps and memories from Day One in Kiawah:

It is a proven doggie parent fact that all good weekends begin with the Doggie Daycare Drop Off.  Bonus points when the dogs come back to tired they don't move for a few days afterward.  Success!  Also my favorite dress here is on sale!

The first day was the best beach day.  We enjoyed it by taking a nice long beach walk with my parents. I scored this suit on major clearance at Belks.  It is sold out online but I also fancied this little number. 

The miles and miles of well designed and safe trails make Kiawah a real exercise treat!  The first day Rich and I biked for 14 miles all over the island, mostly on a serious alligator hunt.

With views like this, what's not to LOVE?

Sweaty bike break selfie!

On our 14 mile ride, we came across 4 deer.  This set was frolicking on the golf course like two sweet children would frolick.  We were able to get pretty close to them before they ran off. 

 The Nature Center at Night Heron Park had some beautiful creatures on hand.  We were able to get up close and personal with these adorable guys.

At the end of our bike ride, we came across this tower we were able to walk up and see a gorgeous view of the marsh separating Kiawah and Johns Island.  Amazingly we saw only one house far off in the horizon.  Essentailly it was nature all around us and so peaceful.  We could've stayed there for hours if not for the impending rain.

Our first night we grilled and boiled shrimp and scallops and ate outside on the patio.  It was the perfect dinner setting for family time!

There is a special lagoon on the island where the Egrets land each night to roost.  It is so neat to watch them all fly in and gather.  This photo fails to capture all the activity! 

Kiawah Weekend

Ever have those weeks when time stands still?  I feel like a kid at Christmas waiting for our weekend to come!  R and I will be joining my parents at their Kiawah Island rental for the weekend and thoughts of long low country bike rides, the nature center, Night Heron Park, alligators, and that undeniable Kiawah feeling are running rampant in my head. It shows you how truly special a place like Kiawah is that a girl who lives in Charleston can barely contain herself imaging a weekend at the beach.  I cannot wait.

My childhood was made here and getting to spend a weekend here as an adult has all the makings of memory lane central right here.  We've got a few things on the books and we will certainly be tackling our Charleston bucketlist while located in this part of the lowcountry.  But, in the meantime, I will sit and wait for the hours to tick down so we can make our drive to Johns Island and partake in all of this:

Weekend Recap

Welcome to Monday and the end of summer.  So many school buses back on the roads this morning and so much sadness as summer draws to a close. But!  Thankfully, the weather in Charleston is still awesome for some outside activities.  Here is a quick recap of the weekend's fun with Kristen in town!

Rich and I gave Ellie a "Special Day" which really more equated to it was her vet day and we figured she at least deserved to get to go to the dog park since she had to get a few shots in the toosh. In true Ellie fashion, she was awkward meeting new friends at the dog park.  In the end this special day just resulted in her and Sophie getting special baths.  Win win for us.  

We had a few friends over to our back porch to grill out and play some games.  My love for games on our back porch is increasing with each mini-party we have.  I think it's time for a full on game night chez nous. 

Saturday morning included me finally knocking off Stand-Up Paddle boarding off my Charleston Bucketlist.  We left out of Shem Creek and decided not to heed the suggestions of the company to paddle against the tide for the first part.  We spent a good hour or so wandering the marsh and seeing some of the most beautiful Charleston homes.  We even saw a grown up tree house they had turned into a complete bar!  However, we paid the price on the way back as I lost complete confidence that I had the arm and body strength to get us back to Shem Creek!  It was so tough!  But, we did get to see a few dolphins in the creek up close and personal.  

Stand Up Paddle Boarding Tip #1: always bring water and snacks. Thankfully I am never one to miss a meal.

Three hours of hard core SUP earned us a yummy lunch and my Shem Creek staple Waters Edge.  We finally got a seat on the water (after some pleading of course.)

 Saturday night we spent grooving to the sounds of Soul Fish at the Sundown on the Wando on Daniel Island, a free monthly community concert near the Wando River.  Though I have no photographic evidence, I can share the band did have Kristen and I on stage to sing Wagon Wheel (jury is out whether they actually turned off our mics after the first chorus.)  

Sunday Brunch was at a Olde Village Post House in Old Mount Pleasant.  A little neighborhood establishment packed full of charm and deliciousness. 

Peach and Cream French Toast anyone?

To walk off all that "dessert breakfast" (as the waitress reminded us more than once that we had in fact basically ordered dessert at 10am) we headed over to another Mount Pleasant favorite of mine: Pitt Street Bridge.  A hidden gem in Old Mt P, it's a local favorite for those wanting to take in the beautiful quiet of seaside living, catch a few rays while reading or book, or try your hand at some afternoon fishing.  As always, it was breathtaking.

 Casual Saturday paddleboarding with your dog here in Mt Pleasant, SC.