Many Happy Returns




Home is where my heart is, but I also adore traveling. Finding new places that stir fond memories, no matter how many years pass. In essence, destinations that fill my best dreams and bring many happy returns.


Today marks my twelfth wedding anniversary, and one of the best getaways hubby and I ever experienced was when we visited Charleston, SC, two years ago to celebrate a decade of love and togetherness. No matter that rain showers dampened the windshield as we drove. The weather couldn’t dampen our mood or plans. From the moment we checked into our lovely bed and breakfast in the heart of the historically-rich city, we focused on fun and romance. No visit to Charleston is complete without a carriage ride. As soon as Marcus, our carriage horse, started along the tour route, the sun burst through the cloud cover and provided us the first rays of a glorious day. Peninsular majesty. Regal oaks dripping Spanish moss. Breathtaking homes fashioned in the Georgian, Classical Revival, and Greek Revival (my favorite) styles of yesteryear. After soaking up lots of sights and historical details, we returned to the Old City Market and browsed the handicrafts and sweetgrass baskets. While there we chatted with some of the friendly locals and other tourists and sampled Low Country goodies offered by a few vendors. Though Southern cuisine is my favorite, the evening hours saw us sharing some special moments over a candlelit Italian dinner and toasting our union with a fine cabernet. A leisurely stroll near our bed and breakfast found us under the stars, and we capped off our day of sightseeing with a guided tour featuring more of the history and haunted past of Charleston. More tours of splendid gardens and enchanting plantation properties filled our remaining days in Charleston. Even more moments of romantic bliss resulted. I could go on, but you get the perfect picture. As a matter of fact, I believe more wonderful memories resulted than times Marcus clopped his well-shod hooves.


Wishing you all many happy returns,

Shawna Moore
ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave
HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave
TORMENTED -- Coming soon to Ellora's Cave
Shawna's Myspace
Helle's Myspace

4 comments:

Elen Grey said...

That sounds just wonderful, Shawna. May you be making many more beautiful memories in future. And, may I suggest Old Quebec City in Quebec, Canada? It oozes character and has lovely food.

Thanks for sharing such a lovely moment in time.

Much cheer.

Vonda Sinclair said...

Great post! I love Charleston too! Thanks for reminding me what I love about it so much. But it's been too long since we've been.
Hugs!

ShawnaMoore said...

Hi, Elen!

Glad you enjoyed my journey back to the past :) Charleston has always been one of my favorite getaways. I'm definitely adding Old Quebec City to the list of must-sees :) Sounds like a match made in traveling heaven. Thanks for the recommendation :)

Happy week wishes,

Shawna

ShawnaMoore said...

Hi, Vonda!

Here's to many more visits to Charleston! You'll have to fill us all in with the details. Enjoy your week!

Blessings and all the best,

Vonda