Thrilled to have my BFSB (best friend since birth) Mary Raine Ivy posting today. MR is the most fun, loyal, and caring person I know. She has a big personality and a bigger heart. Excited for you all to get to know her and hear about her spontaneous adventure to Chucktown.
-srb.
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Hello! MRI here. First of all, let me just say that it is a huge honor to be a guest poster on a really cool blog. It’s one of my lifelong dreams. Especially for these two chicks.
Now, say it with me:
Hello! MRI here. First of all, let me just say that it is a huge honor to be a guest poster on a really cool blog. It’s one of my lifelong dreams. Especially for these two chicks.
Now, say it with me:
“Chaaaalston,”
also known as
The Friendliest City in South Carolina
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A few weeks ago, along with two wonderful, adventurous friends, Brandon and Jenna, I took a spontaneous trip to this lovely city: Charleston, South Carolina. Here’s the back-story: we had planned to road-trip to Niagara Falls. We live in Nashville, TN. Yes we know it is 12 hours away. Yes we know it is crazy. But here’s the thing. We wanted epic. [And the Grand Canyon has been done. It’s kind of becoming a thing among Vanderbilt students to drive to the Grand Canyon, stay for 4 hours, and then drive back. Womp. Not for us.] No, we didn’t know about the huge blizzard (Nemo) that was approaching. Until approximately 15 hours before departure (shoutout to the New Yorker in my Thursday afternoon class who warned me).
Upon this discovery, we had a meeting of the minds and decided to reroute (my car does not have 4-wheel drive. That was literally the only reason we didn’t go).
Here are some of the highlights from adventure in this wonderful city…
The Friendliest City in South Carolina
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A few weeks ago, along with two wonderful, adventurous friends, Brandon and Jenna, I took a spontaneous trip to this lovely city: Charleston, South Carolina. Here’s the back-story: we had planned to road-trip to Niagara Falls. We live in Nashville, TN. Yes we know it is 12 hours away. Yes we know it is crazy. But here’s the thing. We wanted epic. [And the Grand Canyon has been done. It’s kind of becoming a thing among Vanderbilt students to drive to the Grand Canyon, stay for 4 hours, and then drive back. Womp. Not for us.] No, we didn’t know about the huge blizzard (Nemo) that was approaching. Until approximately 15 hours before departure (shoutout to the New Yorker in my Thursday afternoon class who warned me).
Upon this discovery, we had a meeting of the minds and decided to reroute (my car does not have 4-wheel drive. That was literally the only reason we didn’t go).
Here are some of the highlights from adventure in this wonderful city…
Having no plans
Meaning we could stop wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted. A delicious local Knoxville spot, Mellow Mushroom, to eat with family members? I think so. Sunset at a gas station in the middle of no where, South Carolina? Yes please. Pictures at the welcome sign? Done.
Night 1
-Found a hotel (so spontaneous, right?). A Best Western. With continental breakfast.
-Met up with our tour guide for the weekend, Stevie, and some of his friends.
-Went to Speakeasy. It’s a…(drum roll please)…speakeasy—surprise! There is a secret door off a long hallway that leads to a club. This guy unlocks like three different locks and you enter another century. Then the bartender tells you about a special drink that is the bestseller but is not on the menu. We all order it. Sometimes we are just instantly insiders, ya know? Can’t help it.
-Saw the city by BIKE TAXI, from our (Stevie’s) friend Caleb (who Brandon and Jenna also had mutual friends with—it really is the friendliest city, guys). Probably a top three fave thing we did all weekend. We are considering starting a bike taxi company in Nashville. Stay tuned.
-Met up with our tour guide for the weekend, Stevie, and some of his friends.
-Went to Speakeasy. It’s a…(drum roll please)…speakeasy—surprise! There is a secret door off a long hallway that leads to a club. This guy unlocks like three different locks and you enter another century. Then the bartender tells you about a special drink that is the bestseller but is not on the menu. We all order it. Sometimes we are just instantly insiders, ya know? Can’t help it.
-Saw the city by BIKE TAXI, from our (Stevie’s) friend Caleb (who Brandon and Jenna also had mutual friends with—it really is the friendliest city, guys). Probably a top three fave thing we did all weekend. We are considering starting a bike taxi company in Nashville. Stay tuned.
Day 1 (the only one)
What we did
-Saw the city by bike. I navigated (tourist style—my official role of the trip), Jenna took pictures (official credit to her for all the pictures included in this post), and Brandon came too. JK she brought the fun and jokes and communicated with the outside world (aka texting world).
What we saw
-College of Charleston.
-Alleys, cobblestone streets, flowers, fountains, old beautiful houses, porch swings, history, the whole shebang.
-Sunset at Sullivan’s Island followed by drinks at Poe’s Tavern (had to get some culture).
-Beautiful view of downtown from a rooftop bar. No buildings can be built taller than the church steeples…it’s absolutely lovely, just trust me on that.
What we ate
-Hominy Grill for brunch—so local.
-Poe’s Tavern (for drinks)
-Coast for seafood (Stevie’s favorite restaurant in Charleston).
-Kaminsky’s Most Excellent Café for dessert.
*the only negative thing about this trip was the discovery that Taco Mamacita (Brandon’s favorite local Nashville restaurant) is a chain…let’s all pause for a moment of silence.
-Saw the city by bike. I navigated (tourist style—my official role of the trip), Jenna took pictures (official credit to her for all the pictures included in this post), and Brandon came too. JK she brought the fun and jokes and communicated with the outside world (aka texting world).
What we saw
-College of Charleston.
-Alleys, cobblestone streets, flowers, fountains, old beautiful houses, porch swings, history, the whole shebang.
-Sunset at Sullivan’s Island followed by drinks at Poe’s Tavern (had to get some culture).
-Beautiful view of downtown from a rooftop bar. No buildings can be built taller than the church steeples…it’s absolutely lovely, just trust me on that.
What we ate
-Hominy Grill for brunch—so local.
-Poe’s Tavern (for drinks)
-Coast for seafood (Stevie’s favorite restaurant in Charleston).
-Kaminsky’s Most Excellent Café for dessert.
*the only negative thing about this trip was the discovery that Taco Mamacita (Brandon’s favorite local Nashville restaurant) is a chain…let’s all pause for a moment of silence.
Friendship
-This is the place to make memories with old and new friends. This is the place to pack light and rotate shirts. This is the place to make a rule that you will only say positive things to others. (side note: this is also the place to bring a coat in February…we learned)
-Speaking of new friends…Charleston is FULL of beautiful art and artists, and we met some really awesome ones, Lulie and Teil. I use the term friend loosely but basically I think they are super cool—check out their stuff!!
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In short, the BIGGEST highlight of this trip was spending time (like lots of time—like 16 hours in the car lots) with people I love.
This is my challenge to you: take a spontaneous roadtrip. It’s good for the soul.
If Chaaaaalston is your final destination, take me with you.
-Speaking of new friends…Charleston is FULL of beautiful art and artists, and we met some really awesome ones, Lulie and Teil. I use the term friend loosely but basically I think they are super cool—check out their stuff!!
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In short, the BIGGEST highlight of this trip was spending time (like lots of time—like 16 hours in the car lots) with people I love.
This is my challenge to you: take a spontaneous roadtrip. It’s good for the soul.
If Chaaaaalston is your final destination, take me with you.
