So, after much drama and craziness today in the Cafe I decided that it's time to clear the brain.  How?  I think I shall write for a spell.  Here's the update on our trip...........  Day TWO

After spending the night sleeping in the Charlotte airport (mind you I had already brushed my teeth, changed my clothes, washed my face, fixed my makeup and hair, etc) our alarm goes off at 5:30 am.  We head out to the car rental place to start our day.

We hop the shuttle to the car rental place (which is out in bumfuck somewhere).  We get there and go in to find out that the lady was alraeady expecting us.  Apparently my mom and dad both had called her AND had talked to her the night before (when they picked up their car) about our situation. 

Well, we find out that the rental car is more than twice what it started out to be.  Okay.  I'll just pay it off, right?  She offers a convertible at no extra charge~ only to get my hopes up and dash them again because the convertible isn't rentable.  *lol*  No biggie.  We get our car (I take pictures of the nasty stains on the seats to prove that we didn't make them) and head out.

We're on our way!  Finally.... It's about a two - two 1/2 hr drive from Charlotte to Florence.  Beautiful drive.  My husband is wilting from the humidity *lol*  Pretty much all you can see is trees~ everywhere.  Oh and fireworks stores.  Not stands~ stores.  Like warehouses.  Bizaare.

We get into Florence around 9:30 am or so.  We didn't take the freeway that we were supposed to so we ended up downtown instead of on the outskirts.  No biggie.  We stop in the parking lot of the Piggly Wiggly so that my hubby can go in and buy himself a shirt (at my suggestion *lol*) since he's never even seen (and barely heard of) a Piggly Wiggly before.  Too funny.

Thanks to Mapquest on our cell phone we head back out and meet my parents and my sister at our motel.  By now it's about 10:00 or so and it's already fucking blazing outside.  I don't remember it ever being that hot back there when I have gone in the past.  Hot and sticky.  (I like the humidity so that's no big to me~ but my poor hubby..............)

First stop after dropping off the luggage?

Cracker Barrel, Baby!!! 

Love the Cracker Barrel.  You have to understand... we don't get greens, okra, dumplins out here in Cali.  They don't exist on this coast, I swear it.  So we hit the Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  Unbeknownst to me they had already hit the Cracker Barrel (my mom, dad and sis) TWICE before we got there *lmao*.  BUT my hubby had to try it, right?  And YUMMO~ biscuits with apple butter.  And, yes, I had greens for breakfast :)  My hubby was in heaven with the Molasses and their uber-yummy little jars of syrup. 

And ~ we're off. 

We head to Myrtle Beach.  Now, I love the humidity.  I really do.  But I have never EVER been to some place that was so frickin humid in my life.  Oh, but the water there?  Awesome.  It was warm!  My hubby has never been to a warm-water beach.  Awesome.  And no seaweed, jellyfish or crabs to be found.  Was most excellent.  Cloudy, sticky and most excellent.

Oh! And we bought our keepsakes in Myrtle Beach at the Gay Dolphin (not shitting you)!! 

So we have a few drinks on the boardwalk there and then we're on our way again.............

Next stop (and it was impromptu) Krystal for some Chili Pups for lunch!  Yay me!  So, I don't think the hubby was uber-thrilled with Krystal.  Tiny burgers and all that.  He's more of a meat guy so it wasn't super special.  But I was happy =D

After hitting Krystal up we head out again........ destination: Charleston, SC.

Now, I have to say that Charleston is one of the coolest towns I've been to.  I wasn't too excited about going because I had never heard much good about the city, but here's the deal.... One of my fave shows is Anthony Bourdain.  On the flight back there I sat and watched "No Reservations".  Guess where he was??? CHarleston!  Yup.  So, that made it a little bit more exciting.

Anyways, my point is:  I had no idea how cool Charleston would be.  I really, really dug this city.  I would absolutely go back and plan it as a destination vacation.  The buildings, the history, the people, the food.......... fantastic city. 

Now I have to mention this..... for those of you who have never been to Charleston~ go.  It's worth it.  AND while you're there make sure you get the chance to eat at Jestine's at least once.  Oh, baby!  The food there was rockin' good.  Fried green tomatoes, lettuce wedge w/mayo, steamed cabbage, ham and mashed taters.  YUMMO!  Anthony Bourdain was SO right about that place.  Oh! And the homemade banana pudding was the shiznit!  Definitely recommended.

So, that's about it for Day TWO..... we headed back to Florence after a quick trip through the city....

Day THREE to come................

Tags: vacation, travel, charleston, south carolina, myrtle beach, life, family

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