Another Riotous Charleston Hometown Visit

Oh boy, oh boy every time I get to go back to the cutest and most personality-filled city of them all, I get reminded once more how lucky I am to have grown up in Charleston, and to have known her very personally before she got overrun with waaaay too many transplants. Ha!

Except for Bill Murray, that is. We’ve loved having him as a local for over 15 years now! And wouldn’t you know it, but my lil sock monster Venkman finally got a chance to get a pic with his namesake - how exciting!!

One of my fave Charleston foods two ways: chilled raw oysters on the creek, and raw oyster shots on East Bay St right next to my old job at the coffee shop. Cheers!

I actually got to see a remarkable amount of wildlife too, from this big healthy aligator up close, to dozens of massive night herons nesting in Battery Park, to a huge pod of dolphins surrounding our boat and coming up for air within10 feet of us for over 20 minutes while cruising in Cape Romain wildlife refuge. It was like one National Geographic experience after another!

I was able to make to two of my favorite haunts twice each; two Dead shows at the Pour House and got real silly at the best dive in town, The Rec Room.

And I’m forever grateful how years can go by in time, yet not a single day will pass in a true friendship. I swear I’m the luckiest Bird around:):):)

Oh Charleston, as old as you are, being with you never is…

And to make an amazing visit that much better, I even got a campout in at my parent’s cabins with some wonderful and hilarious folks I’ve been close with every since our days working at Cinnebarre well over a decade ago now. Yay for friendships that truly last through thick and thin!!

Bye bye Charleston! I love you and I’ll see you soon!

7.14.2021

Triumphant Return from the East Coast

Oh man did I have a smashingly good time visiting South Carolina for some hometown stomping-ground adventures! I cannot believe how much I packed in in just under three weeks!

Got to visit Charleston (where I grew up) for some fabulous shenanigans starring a multitude of close friends, some live music, and trips to my favorite dive bars and music venue. We even stopped by the Angel Oak and good ole Folly Beach as well. So grateful for my friend Laine for hosting me and making sure I got to see everyone I could.

Next I went to my mom and stepdad’s house about an hour inland on the Edisto River where they run their treehouse rental eco tourist business. It is so calming to be there tucked away in the woods, and so delightful to swim in the freshwater river right behind their humble little abode.

I also managed to attend and volunteer at a four day camping music festival called Surrounded by the Sound which was just what this lil Birdie needed. Music festivals are the one thing I miss most about living on the mainland; I really miss jamming out in the woods in such a care free environment and connecting with so many other free-spirited people.

And last but certainly not least my closest aunt and uncle who I love and miss so much drove out from Nashville to stay with us in an amazing glass house which is a rental property owned by my parents’ neighbors. What a special place to relax and catch up with family!

Whew, what a whirlwind! I was so happy to be there every minute, but am happy to be home now and back in my studio. The best thing about living out here is when you’re done with vacation, you just go back to Hawai’i! Ha!