Wonderful Day in CHARLESTON, South Carolina 2/17/18

We got a bit of a late start but we finally headed out to McDonalds for breakfast because here in SC, McDonalds offers biscuits with sausage gravy.  It certainly was worth a stop, because they were very good.  Then we headed towards Charleston. 

I think David and Peg were less than excited about going to see the Angel Oak Tree, a stop which I had requested.  However when they saw it, they were as enthralled as I was

It really is magnificent.  There is a geocache hidden just outside the fence and David found it.  

A few miles down the road from the tree is the 

Charleston Tea Plantation so we decided to go there.  There is a great gift shop that offers free iced and hot tea, and a free tour of the factory.  We all enjoyed learning about how tea is made, and seeing the fields of tea.

AND there was a geocache hidden just outside the gates, and Peg found it!  

We headed back towards the city, passing some colorful shops, houses and eateries.  We decided to go to the CONFEDERATE MUSEUM, which is upstairs in a very interesting building.

The upstairs was originally a Masonic Hall and underneath is a market that has been going on for over two hundred years.  

And then on to

 OLD EXCHANGE BUILDING AND PROVOST DUNGEON.  Provost is an archaic word for prison.

The tour of Provost was extremely interesting. 

The upper two floors offer museum type exhibits mostly pertinent to the history of the building. 

South Carolina ratified the constitution upstairs.  Outside of the building is an area where slaves were traded.

We saw a lot of interesting, colorful buildings as we walked between the two museums, including small cemeteries next to churches. 

We drove down to a park along the waterfront where Fort Sumter can be seen.  The sunset was beautiful from that area.  

The plans had beenfor preparing supper at the condo, but it was getting late so we went to a HARDEE'S for a quick supper.  We were all surprised at the quality of the food.  

Altogether I took 200 pictures and depleted the battery in my camera.  It was a great day!!!!

St Helena Island and Beaufort, South Carolina (February 16, 2018)

After dropping David off at a golf course in Bluffton, Peg and I headed out for a day of explorations.  We ended up on St. Helena Island (one of the Sea Islands), south of Beaufort.

Our first stop was at Penn Center, site of former Penn School,  one of the country's first schools for former slaves.  The young woman in the Visitors Center was very friendly, but all in all, it did not seem like a very tourist friendly place.  While there are several buildings to see, we settled for seeing the school.

Then we headed down the road  to look for the ruins of  the 1740 as a CHAPEL OF EASE

serve planters in St. Helena Parish.

which was built to planters in St. Helena Parish.  The TABBY CONSTRUCTION is particularly interesting.  Seashells were combined with mortar.

And then we drove a few more miles down the road to FORT FREMONT.

The remains are extensive and huge:

and then we headed off the island towards Beaufort.  We stopped at a couple of interesting shops

along the way.

When we got to Beaufort we went into some shops

and saw a few historical houses like this one.

. We took a break to find a geocache!   DOWN BY THE RIVER.

And then it was time to meet up with David at the golf course.  We had supper at  NICK'S STEAK AND SEAFOOD.  I had the surf and turf special and it was delicious.  I had not had lobster in a really long time and I enjoyed this meal a lot!!!!   We talked about possibly returning another night to NICKS.

DAY ONE: trip to Hilton Head Island (South Carolina)

Several weeks ago, Peggy suggested that I fly to South Carolina and meet up with her and David during their annual two weeks on Hilton Head Island.  I agreed and found a flight for today (February 15, 2018).  Elaine drove me to the airport an I did a TSA PreCheck which was pretty quick and easy, because I did not check any luggage.  I packed ahead of time and sent my bags with David and Peg in their rental car.  When you do self check in, you don't have to take your shoes or jacket off or take your laptop out of you carry on bag. That does not seem right to me, since travelers COULD use this way to try to take in items that are not acceptable.  I guess those items would be seen when they go through the scanner, anyways.

My terminal was the first one I came to after I headed towards the terminals after going through the checkpoint.  I arrived way too early, but I got online easily enough and had a book to read and I walked around a bit.

When it came time to board, they asked for volunteers to check their carry on bags to their final destination without charge.  There were not enough volunteer so some of us were told we had to check ours.  I asked if I could have mine back when we arrive in Charlotte and I was told NO, that I could get it at my final destination in Hilton Head.  Of course, I worried about that!   The guy checking the bags told me to take my laptop out of my carry on bag, so I did.

The flight to Charlotte was uneventful.  When we got to the airport, I had a VERY long walk to the farthest terminal and then I had a two hour wait.  It went fast since I had a good book.

The flight to Hilton Head left a few minutes late but made good time.  Peggy was waiting for me and I crossed my finger and prayed that my carry on would arrive.    Here is the luggage arrival station.

It was one of the last pieces of luggage to come out!!

We drove immediately to David's favorite restaurant on HHI

Stellini Italian Restaurant.  We were able to get the early bird special even though we were a couple of minutes late.  It was a glass of wine, house salad, appetizer, bread and main course.  We all had the mussels for the appetizer and they were very tasty.  The salad was so fresh and the main dish (Peg and I both chose CHICKEN CACCIATORE) was magnificent.  I brought some of mine back to our lodging.  

We took a ride so they could show me the PIGGLY WIGGLY and then we went to the condo.  I have my own room with a queen size bed, my own tv and my own bathroom.  I was tired but very happy.  

PACZKI DAY 2018 at the Broadway Market in Buffalo, NY

Elaine and I went to Buffalo for PACZKI DAY 2018.   Paczki's are  filled donuts that are baked on FAT TUESDAY or SHROVE TUESDAY which was today.

  Paula's Donuts also offers them  ONLY on this particular day.

I drove and Elaine navigated.  I only drove on ONE one way street! (right next to the market)  Thankfully, nobody was coming towards me, so I did a U turn and quickly got out of that predicament.  We parked in the parking garage, which was not crowded, so we got a good spot close to the escalator.

We had a great time.   I was interviewed by SPECTRUM NEWS, and told I might be on TV later on today, but I think they eliminated me from their footage.   Here is a picture I took of the photographer.

We talked with Paula who makes and sells pierogis.  

We purchased our lunch at BABCIAS

We shared the BUFFALO TRIO, three pierogis:  Beef on Weck, Buffalo Wing and Stuffed Banana Pepper.  

and we split a Keilbasa Bomber, which had red cabbage and Weber's Mustard on it.

Both were absolutely delicious and we went back to Babcias to tell them how much we liked their food.  

I had a Bavarian cream PACZKI from 

Chrusciki's.    Elaine does not eat yeast donuts, but she tried a bit of mine.  

It was quite good!   We each also had a piece of sponge candy and a cookie from Chrusciki's.  

It was too early for Butter Lambs, but we did see some delicacies  

There was live Polish music

A photographer from the BUFFALO NEWS took our picture and said it would be on their website  

I finally found it: 

 I almost forgot to mention that we met this woman:

She was promoting a health clinic in Buffalo that helps refugees.  When Elaine mentioned to her that I was planning to go to Hilton Head Island, she asked if I had heard of St. John Island, where her family is from.  It turns out that she is of Gullah heritage, former slaves who live in communities down south.  

It was a great day!!!!!

Lunch Out

After the Ladies Life Group this morning, five of us decided to go out to lunch.  Vicky, Dee, Lori, myself and Louise.    It was a toss up between Kalamata's and Applebee's and Applebee's won.  

I had been craving a burger, and fries from FIVE GUYS, so at Applebee's I ordered a burger and fries....there is a lunch special going on a choice from several burgers, with fries or another side dish substituted.  I chose the Whiskey Bacon Burger

and classic fries.  The burger was huge and delicious  The fries seem to be hand cut.   I told the others that it was the best burger I have had in a very long time.  

We all had such a good time.  Dee told us about some of her travels with her husband, Jim.  We sat and talked for a while after our checks were paid.  

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY at Faith Tab!!!!! Sunday 2/4/18

This must be the first time I ever had something special to do on SUPERBOWL Sunday!!!  No matter since I don't watch sports and never know what teams are involved.

We started out with FOOTBALL SUNDAY, which was fun and interesting.

There was a Tailgate Party in the lobby but I chose to go to PIZZA, PASTRIES and PAINTING with the Seniors Group.

First we had lunch and then Megan Fresch

led us in painting our own personalized version of this painting. 

I had invited my friend Elaine and she seemed to have a good time.  

Here is our group picture.

It was all so much fun!!!!