Day 1

We did it! We actually left Richmond and have officially embarked on our journey.  I can’t believe it’s truly here.  I’m totally psyched! 

It was 17 degrees this morning when we left. We kept hoping for warmer temps as we headed south but it never got above 40 even in the mid afternoon.  Needless to say, here we are, camping in Charleston, SC and it’s in the low 20s.  Our little heater is working hard but not exactly making things toasty in here. I’ve got on long johns, fleece pajamas, a hat and wool socks and I can tell it won’t be enough.  Scott has on a black ski mask (which makes him look like a ninja).  The kids are asleep under about 5 layers of fleece blankets.  Dang it’s cold! 

However, we had a nice surprise that warmed our hearts if not our toes.  The campground we’re in (James Island County Park) does a Festival of Lights every holiday season and tonight was the last night.  It was quite impressive.  We drove around and enjoyed the last of the festive holiday event.  This is a great campground.  We’ll definitely be back for a longer stay sometime in the future (during a warmer season!)

Day 2 - 1/4/10
Woke up to continuing freezing temps but the important thing is that we did wake up.  There was some doubt in my mind at several points during the night.

We went into downtown Charleston this morning, walked around, shopped in the market and then grabbed a bite to eat at Moe’s. Charleston has such an old time charm with all of its row houses, quaint restaurants, galleries and waterways.  I love it here.

Kerby decided to test out a wall-scaling tactic that he read about recently in the book “Crispin and the Cross of Lead” since he had access to some narrowly spaced brick walls. 

Not something you can see every day in Charleston – a water fountain that’s working on becoming a glacier.

We also took the kids to one of our favorite spots – a place we first (and last) saw 11.5 yrs ago on our honeymoon.  Angel Tree is a 300-400 yr old live oak that is now preserved and protected in a small park environment.  I wonder how many storms, people, animals and insects this tree has experienced in its lifetime.

We leave tomorrow a.m. for Savannah, GA to join my cousin for the evening.  They have two sons about Kerby and Joelle’s age.  Should be fun.