We went to Charleston this weekend to cover the Holy Smokes BBQ Festival at Riverfront Park. The weather did not cooperate. The food was great, but we absolutely froze. Maybe next year it’ll be sunny and seventy five!

We stayed for a couple of hours before deciding we couldn’t handle the wind and rain any longer. My back was soaking wet – one of the worst feelings in the world. At least we only drove three hours. We met a lady named Melissa who drove from New York to attend the festival! What?! “People up north have no idea how to make good BBQ,” she said. She was very interesting. She traveled alone, stopping along the way to ride her bike. She told us that Greenville was on her Bucket List to ride the Swamp Rabbit Trail. I suggested she book a room at Hotel Domestique.

While the day didn’t quite go as planned (fingers crossed for better weather next year), it wasn’t a total wash out (pun very much intended). We treated ourselves to a nap and warm clothes before heading to the Old Charleston Jail.

Those who know me, know how long I’ve waited to get inside this place. We’ve written stories and obsessed over this creepy spot for years. The ghost tour with Bulldog Tours did not disappoint.

I only booked the tour to get inside. I was sure I’d researched and read every single story inside these walls. I wanted photos and videos. That’s it. Jack Kelly was our guide. I was thrilled to learn that I did not know every story. I’m not going to share them here – you’ll have to take the tour!

We accidentally booked a room at the WRONG hotel. It was clean, the only thing that mattered at that point. We pulled the shades, didn’t set an alarm, and slept in the pitch black room until 8:30 Sunday morning. That’s late, y’all! I was in heaven. MUCH needed rest for both of us.

Sunday, we had a quick breakfast at the hotel and headed to Edisto Island. I have always wanted to visit Botany Bay. There are no words to describe this place . I’ll just share my pictures.

There’s a hefty fine for carrying shells off the beach – understandable, but disappointing. Nanny had a difficult time following this rule. The stretch of beach was quiet and peaceful. Exactly what I needed. Another place I’d love to see is Boneyard Beach. It’s only accessible via boat. Coastal Expeditions, a Charleston-based tour company, carries guests there. Maybe we’ll check them out and share our experience. Although, Botony Bay Heritage Preserve is pretty much the same thing and you can visit FOR FREE.

Our final stop was less than two miles down the road.

Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island. The story of Julia Legare was in an issue of our newsletter last month. (Subscribe + read here). You’ll want to read the entire story. Julia was buried alive back in the 1800’s. She was laid to rest in her family’s mausoleum. It wasn’t until her brother died, a few years later, that they found her remains in a pile at the door. Her scratch marks were all over the walls. The door to the mausoleum was taken down, according to church members, because it would not stay closed. You guys know I had to see this place for myself!

As you can see, the cemetery is very old – so fascinating. A handful of graves date back to the 1700s. The church was established in 1685! The sanctuary and manse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A manse is the place where the Presbyterian pastors live. I guess it would be comparable to a parsonage. I had no idea what that was. I wish now I had taken pictures of the manse. There was a dinner or some type of gathering taking place while we were there. We didn’t feel quite as free to explore. We fully intend to take the kids back to Botony Bay, so we’ll 100% be stopping back by. I also want to grab a photo of a nearby street sign, “Legare Road.” Clearly the family road.

We drove back to Greenville for one day before heading to the Georgia Aquarium on Tuesday. Needless to say, I’ve not left the house for too long since being back home. I’m exhausted. At least tomorrow is Friday!

Happy (almost) weekend, y’all!