Dixie Gator Gal: Babymoon- Charleston SC

With the baby well on his way, I wanted to TRY to get in some more posts about my pregnancy before he actually arrives. Somehow blogging hasn't been on my nesting to-do list-no labeling, sorting or organizing involved.

My little guy has been giving me lots of practice, and after the last few hours of “practice” on Friday; I’m just ready for the real deal vs mini versions every day. I thought he may come this weekend…at least I wouldn't have call Josh to come home from work only to go back a few hours later-ha! I'm hoping for a February baby and am due on Feb 1st-wow!

In November, Josh and I went to Charleston for our babymoon. We decided to go somewhere in driving distance vs flying for some flexibility and the Gators were playing South Carolina, so I negotiated that Josh take another day off work and we go to the game that weekend…

Lesson learned, always have plane tickets for future vacations- if a meeting gets scheduled for a day after you were supposed to be babymooning, husbands can't delay the trip if tickets have been purchased-ha! Plus the flight time to Hawaii and drive time to Charleston (with frequent bathroom breaks) were about the same. Gators and low country food won out over beautiful beaches in the Pacific. Maybe for our next babymoon?

We stayed at the Renissance in Charleston, it was right on the College of Charleston Campus, and in walking distance of most things we wanted to do and see.

Our room was beautiful, lots of pillows were great to keep me comfy.

The lounge and dining room were beautiful and we enjoyed the BEST Cheese Grits for breakfast every morning we were there!

We did have a fantastic tour guide in the form of my friend Lisa who went to the College of Charleston and lived in the area before making DC home earlier this year. She gave us fantastic advise on what to do and where to eat! Our first afternoon in town we took her advice after a nice long walk on the beach and went to Poe's on Sullivan Island. It was awesome and totally reminded me of my fav Gainesville establishment, The Swamp. I had the Gold Bug Burger - which was topped with Pimento Cheese - ahhhh, yes that's Angels singing from heaven.

After lunch we headed back into town and decided to go on a horse and buggy ride to become more familiar with town. It was really fun to see all the sites this way.

This is not us, but this is what it looked like!

That night we went to Cypress for dinner, with Lisa touting the Caesar Salad as the best we would ever eat. Well, as we were deciding what we wanted, I asked Josh to order the Caesar Salad for us, where he informed me the dressing was surly made with raw eggs. Dang raw eggs being on the no-no list for pregnant gals. No need to worry because everything else we had that night was also the best thing I've ever put in my mouth! I also loved their 4 story wall of wines, it was a really cool way to store the wine.

On Friday we headed out to Magnolia Plantation and brought a picnic with us provided by Publix. This may not seem like a big deal, but we live two states away from "Where Shopping is a Pleasure." We are thrilled every time we get to enjoy some of our favorite items from this Florida based grocery store, and enjoyed it even more among the stately oaks.

This bridge is just so symbolic of the South to me.

I'm so glad all the Camilla's were in bloom, they were BEAUTIFUL!

We were at Magnolia Plantation which is a popular wedding location on the most popular wedding date of the year 11/11/11. We saw lots of weddings, and they were all beautiful, what a day!

We were super tired from all the walking and touring we had done the past few days, so we decided instead of keeping our reservation at HUSK, we would order in from Hymans Seafood - which was a great way to avoid the line that was always wrapped around the block.. My fried green tomatoes and She Crab Soup were AMAZING, but I am sad that we never ate at Husk.

I didn't know how tired I really was until Saturday morning came and our alarm went off to make it to Columbia in time for some tailgating and the noon kick-off. I literally couldn't move. I had been suffering from SPD for a few weeks, but had gotten to a good place with physical therapy before leaving on our trip. Well after all the walking I had been doing, I was in a very bad place on Saturday. I had to stay put. Josh being the sweet husband he is stayed put with me, and we watch the Gamecocks whip the Gators good from our hotel room that afternoon. After some TLC, laying in bed most of the day and a long warm bath - I was mobile enough to go get some dinner. Plus I really wanted to see the sun set on Shem Creek.

We had a nice dinner at Red's and watched more SEC football. Josh said Red's would be his place if he lived in Charleston. We loved it.

We headed back to the city for dessert at the famed Kaminsky's - wow it was AMAZING!

I had the toll house pie a la mode with a big glass of milk and Josh had a fantastic milkshake. Don't worry I shared with him.

Throughout the trip I carried a copy of Pat Conroy's South of Broad with me. A friend of mine turned me onto reading books set in the place where you are vacationing a few years ago, and I can't tell you how much I enjoy doing this. I was able to read it all on the trip and being in the city where the book was based really made it come to life.