Charleston: Day 2

Starting out the day, not sure what we were going to do as there was a tornado watch and weather.com predicted thunder storms all day.


We decided to go on an alligator tour as the guide promised she would also talk about birds...


Look closely in the background to the right, there is an alligator there. We were assured the birds know the gators are more likely to hunt at night, so this bird was not in great danger.


Duncan's camera had this cool effect with a certain lens. We liked the way it framed the sheep, but later decided it looked like we were hunting them. You be the judge.


Another cool bird trying to dry off as he fished.


Beautiful Spanish moss blowing in the wind.


They were posing for us.


RAIN?!? What rain?? It ended up being a beautiful day!


Obligatory kiss-photo. We are celebrating one year of marriage after all!



This gator was sunbathing, so...



Duncan risked his life to get that photo! (Okay, maybe he's not that close, but it was still a bit scary!)


This is the famous Middleton Oak. It's more than 1,000 years old (and sadly suffered some damage last April). You can see how HUGE the trunk is!


A little more perspective!


Duncan's favorite: a goat!


Duncan took this awesome photo. If you closely, there is fish in the bird's beak!!


Duncan just has a way with cats. I told him that he must omit an odor that attract them. this cat literally climbed up his leg to be in his lap. Jealous? Yes, yes I was.


We saw two of these snakes in close proximity.

I made a game out of taking photos of Duncan taking photos of scary animals.



Today has been wonderful! And we're not even done! Thought you'd enjoy seeing some of things we encountered though! We're headed home tomorrow. While our stay has been brief, it's been fabulous and we would definitely recommend this place to anyone!

Charleston: Day 1

We are having a fabulous time and wanted to share some pictures... they are in reverse order, so start at the bottom and work your way up!

Our freakin awesome bathroom!

The view from our room

Our room!

Possibly the coolest wildlife sighting

Duncan's friend

Another cool sighting

All of the azaleas are in bloom!

The Middleton Place House from the 1700s.

Even more gorgeous! When will the beauty end!?!?!?!

More gorgeous!

Gorgeous!

Walking through the gardens

Another wildlife sighting... a turtle!

The Inn where we're staying. It's awesome!

St. Philip's

Our first wildlife sighting

Walking through downtown Charleston

First Pres of Charleston. I told Duncan that he needed to get placed here.
He wasn't sure he had that much say so in that decision...

Windswept look... that's right

Lunch and the BIGGEST oysters ever.

Not a Good Day for the Williams Women

Well, I have to claim my maiden name today as the Williams women were bonded through despair today. My day started around 8:10 when I left the apartment, much closer to my target leaving time than I have achieved in the past few days (despite only 5 hours of sleep, 3 hours below my minimum requirement). I was excited thinking to myself, I'm actually going to make it to work at 8:30 today (I have simply joys in life). However, about ten minutes into my journey, as I'm getting in that driving mode when you're on a familiar path I see blue flashing lights. Yep, it was me. I wasn't really sure how fast I had been going. If I go more than 10 mph over the speed limit, I usually note it mentally so I can keep things under control. Unfortunately, and to my surprise, the officer informed me I was going 45 in a school zone... 25. YIKES! I told him I hadn't realized I was in a school zone, though I recognize I had recently passed a school. After a rather pleasant exchange, I was handed my ticket. I didn't try to fight it, just tried to be polite and complacent.

Little did I know that speeding in a school zone is a BIG no-no. As in $375 no-no.

YUCK! That huge bill can definitely put a damper on your day. But, I'm going to go to court and see what happens. At least that's what I've been advised to do. It can't hurt, right?

Well, I definitely will NEVER be caught speeding in a school zone again. You'd better bet I'll be looking for the markings that indicate the beginning and end of those zones!

So, after being frustrated with myself. I moved on. But my mom had unfortunate news of breaking her foot, or at least a bad sprain, today. Another big, fat, ugly, YUCK. And tomorrow is her birthday.

Sad days!

But, if these are our only complaints, I suppose life is pretty good.

And now for your Moki photo:

Snow Day!

So, we dragged ourselves out of bed this morning so I could make it to a meeting at the church and Duncan could do the confession during the service. As I sat in my meeting, I glanced out the window and noticed some rather large snow flakes begin to fall. An hour later when the meeting got out, the ground was covered in snow! We promptly traveled home, suited up, and went for a walk in the winter wonderland (complete with Christmas serenading). Enjoy the pictures!














And, as always, here is a picture of Moki to end the post. (She's really intense about grooming sometimes...)