Charleston/Folly Beach

Logan had a long weekend off from work (MLK weekend). We decided a week before that we should take a fun trip with the kids. We ended up heading down to Charleston/Folly Beach which is 3 hours away. It was so fun! We felt like real grown-ups because we got a hotel room for the night with the kids. It was the first time we had ever done a family trip (besides camping).

We love family trips that involve extended family too, but there's just something about going with just our family. It's pretty special and memory building. I hope this is something we can do many times throughout the years. We love the Charleston/Folly Beach area. Logan and I went once before while interning in South Carolina a few summers ago. This time around, we took the kids and showed them around.

Details of the trip: We didn't do any of the museums. We figured the kids would do better outside running around than inside. Plus, the weather was perfect -- mid-60's and sunny! We ended up walking around to see some popular sites, and then happened upon a little neighborhood park for the kids to play at.

We got lunch at Folly Beach. We were looking forward to some delicious fish tacos, but the restaurant we love was closed for renovations. We ended up going to Rita's for a quick (overpriced) lunch of burgers and fries. It was decent, and they served the kid entrees on a frisbee which was a nice touch. After lunch, we headed across the street to the beach/pier. It was a bit windy at this point being so close to the water, but we played on the sand for a bit looking for sea shells (Hudson found a sea star which was the highlight of the trip). We also walked on the pier where we saw a fisherman catch two baby sharks. That was pretty cool. We headed home after that and the kids napped most of the way home.

We can't wait to get back to this area again, but I think it will be more enjoyable in the spring/summer time when the weather is warmer for swimming. :)

Waterfront Park

 Walking through the city

 Rainbow Row

 Hudson took the picture of us below.

Battery Park

(Hudson loved pretending to launch the canyons. He kept saying, "aim....FIRE!!") 

Folly Beach

(about 20 minutes from Charleston)

Sunrise Photos

Photos Courtesy of:  Kayla Looper Photography

Charleston! (Logan's 1st Post!!!)

Hey this is Logan! So Abby has been trying to get me to try this blogging thing for the longest time. I always told her that she would regret letting me write a blog, but since Abby went shopping tonight I figured I would give it a try just to see what blogging is all about. This is my first (hopefully not my last) post so we'll see how it goes...

Abby and I were able to get a day off on Monday and go exploring down south. We went to Charleston and Folly Beach. We had an absolute blast! I think it was my favorite thing we have done here in South Carolina so far. This is the tale of our adventures.

This is a sweet shot out our moon roof going over the bridge into the city (it is the longest cable supported bridge in North America, I believe).

There is a park down at the water front where you can play in the fountains. Abby didn't let me play and get all wet, so we have a picture of this cute little girl playing in the water instead of me. I was jealous!

Here is us on the pier looking back on the city.

This place was cool! It's one of the last buildings built by the British before we kicked them out. It was also Cornwallis' headquarters for a time during the Revolution and where they kept political prisoners (I think it is funny that they named the dungeon "provost." Sometimes it feels that way there, but I guess provost is just an old word for a local government officer). It is also where the State of South Carolina ratified the Constitution and become the 8th state. George Washington also hosted 4 parties in the upper hall when he toured the southern states in 1791. Cool stuff!

Abby sitting in George Washington's old chair.

The Great Hall where "Washington danced with hundreds of women," and one of the Knot.com's top places to have a wedding (historians have to pay the bills somehow).

The Dungeon! They used this at one time to keep pirates before they were hung and later for political prisoner during the the Revolution (they kept 50-60 people in a 20x50ft space), I think 4 of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence were down in this dungeon for a time during the war.
Interesting fact: Charleston is the location of the most successful pirate campaign. Black Beard and his fleet of 8 ships blocked off the bay, ransacked a 9 ships, and held the city for ransom for 5 or 6 days till the city gave them medical supplies then they left. None of them saw this dungeon during that trip, but cool fact nonetheless.

After all the history and beauty of Charleston we went down south to Folly Beach and went to a place Abby saw featured on Food Network, Taco Boy! They had the best fish tacos I have ever had! A bit pricey, but tasty!!!

We then went to the beach and played in the sand. This is a picture of "art." I made a large spiral and then we had a race to the center leaving a cool set of foot prints (this is as close to making art as I can get. Art=Game to me).

This is us at the end of our adventure at the Folly Beach Pier.

I made it to the end of my first blog!!! If Abby never lets me write a blog again I hope that you all enjoyed it, and are making your own adventures!
-Logan

surfing adventure

Yes, that's right! We had our very first surfing lessons for FREE (one of the many perks of working where we work- Plantation Resort). It's been awesome getting to experience so many different things in the short weeks we've been here AND most of them have cost us little to no money at all. Working in the hospitality business is very, very nice! So far, we've been to the Ripley's Aquarium for FREE, Ripley's Mirror Maze & Moving Theatre for $10, Medieval Times (so fun) for $30, and now...SURFING LESSONS!

It was so fun. A member of the bishopric in our Myrtle Beach ward was the surfing instructor. He did an awesome job. Logan and I learned pretty quickly and we were able to get up a few times. Go us!

getting "surfing" pointers on the sand

heading out to catch some waves

yay! go Logan!

having SO much fun

Photos Courtesy of:  Kayla Looper Photography

(a fellow intern and friend)