charming charleston

Spending the weekend with Emily and Molly was fabulous.

More fabulous was doing so with Charleston's historic, low country backdrop right outside our window.

Just lovely.  It’s the best way I can describe it.

On some of our trips, the itinerary is king, where the more we can do and see the better.

On this trip, friendship ruled.

(Although the iPhone did play an important role in research and navigation.)

As for sight-seeing ventures, Ready and Clint Eastwood ...

plus our tour guide Jackie ...

... took us on a very nice carriage tour of downtown.

And we visited Drayton Hall, a preserved plantation a few miles out from town. 

Otherwise, we were perfectly content walking and poking around in the alleyways south of Broad ...

... people-watching and chatting on a bench at Waterfront Park (this photo is actually at the Battery, but you get the idea) ...

... snapping some photos of Rainbow Row ...

... shopping at the open-air market ...

... or strolling on King Street! 

And the food.  Oh, the food.  (You knew it was coming.)

For Emily's birthday dinner, we ate at Hyman's Seafood Company, which offered some of the best scallops I've ever had the pleasure of tasting.

Cru Cafe is tucked away over near East Bay Street, on Pinckney, and was divine.  I ordered a special they were offering: a pork tenderloin, stuffed with salami and some other deliciousness, and cooked to the perfect medium.  It was served with roasted veggies and a sweet potato mash.  Yummo.

We also delighted in D’Allesandro’s caprese salad and a pizza for lunch one day.  Against our insider's recommendation that delivery was safer, we opted to get the full experience and dine in. 

(Don't worry, parents, it was light outside.  It was fine.)

And Saffron was the perfect location for Emily's birthday dessert (probably tied for the best carrot cake I've ever eaten), and for brunch on Sunday morning. 

You know how some trips are great for the cultural experience?  And some trips are great for the company you keep along the way?

Sometimes, once in a blue moon, you take a trip that offers the perfect balance of both.

And that, friends, is charming.