Erik, Shanelle & Asher Visit South Carolina

Erik and Shanelle always take their boys on a trip the year they graduate. Asher chose to come to South Carolina and we were so excited to see them. They came the middle of July. They started out in Myrtle Beach and then joined us for church on the 12th.

After church we went to Congaree National Park. We love going to this park and it had been a while.

Mom, Dad, Asher, Jalen, Baylie, Shanelle, Erik

The boardwalk was new in a lot of places. It looked great.

Wise Guys

Goofy Kids

So pretty.

Weston Lake - an oxbow lake in the park.

It was very hot and muggy. We South Carolinians didn't think it was too bad, but the Utahn's were dying.

Boardwalk through the swamp. Look at the trunk propped up where it fell. So cool.

In all these years, I don't think we'd ever taken a picture by the park sign.

Erik, Shanelle, Asher

Me, Jalen, David, Baylie

The Kiddos

They wanted to see Williams-Brice Stadium. They travel to see stadiums all over, but said they'd never seen a stadium as big as this one. It is pretty impressive.

with Cocky

The next day we went to Boone Plantation. We hadn't been since the kids were little. It's always beautiful. But this time it was hard on the kids because they are older and understand what slavery is like. At the main house, there is a shopping list posted that has "slave girl" on it. That is so emotional to see.

Drive with the old oaks - truly stunning - there since 1743

The grounds

Drive to the main house

Slave cabins - From the internet - Constructed between 1790 and 1810 using locally sourced bricks made by enslaved laborers at the plantation's own brickyard. There are nine surviving structures remaining out of an original estimated 27 quarters that once formed a "slave street" leading up to the property. The cabins are situated along the famous Avenue of Oaks. Their prominent placement was originally intended to showcase the wealth and status of the plantation owners.

They do a really good Gullah presentation with actual descendants of the former enslaved people.

White ibis in flight.

Oyster shells imbedded in the mortar between the bricks of the cabins. 

A bottle tree. The tradition began in 9th-century Central/West Africa, where people hung blue glass bottles on trees and huts to trap evil spirits. Enslaved Africans brought the tradition to the American South in the 17th century. Folklore says evil spirits or "hags" are attracted to the glittering glass at night, enter the bottle, and become trapped until the morning sun destroys them.

We even saw a racoon!

The plantation is still a working farm.

Oaks with Spanish Moss

Back of the house after the tour.

The dock on Wampacheone Creek, a tributary of the Wando River.

Stables

Oak lined road

After Boone Hall we headed to Isle of Palms beach. Another favorite. They loved the beach.

So did we.

Erik and Shanelle's Verbo was a traditional Charleston home divided into individual apartments. 

It was cool and quirky, but definitely old. Check out the chimney and fireplace - a little off center.

We wanted to find a local place to eat. We ended up driving for what seemed like forever to the Tattooed Moose in North Charleston. When we got there, the vibe seemed a little different. Jalen looked at me and asked, "Mom, you know this is a gay bar, right?"

Who knew??!! It was a family, LBGTQ friendly establishment.

My name was even on the wall!

Too bad we missed Queen Night.

The next morning the kids and I stayed long enough to get some pralines before heading home.

A couple of days later they came back up and we went to the temple for baptisms.

David, Me, Jalen, Baylie, Asher, Shanelle, Erik

I'm grateful my family loves to go to the temple.

They flew from Charleston straight to Oregon for Hallie's blessing. She is Jessa and Parker's baby and the first grandbaby in their family.

We don't get to see family very often and this visit was so wonderful.