“Let’s go to Charleston,” I suggested.
The “loved one” and I planned a six day vacation to Charleston, South Carolina months in advance. The first week in October seemed perfect for the visit as the weather would be cooler and the humidity less intense. We queried our friends for suggestions for historical sites and fabulous food. An outdoor market appealed to me. My husband wanted to see Patriots Point, especially for the Vietnam display.
The Beauty of Charleston
We arrived Tuesday mid-afternoon and headed for The Battery to watch the glorious sunset from the walk and park by the tip of Charleston. We wondered about the wet streets, hearing later high tides flood the streets, even higher twice a year. The full moon and gravity played an unexpected role.
In the morning we hustled through breakfast for a fun-filled day, starting with the water taxi to Patriots Point.The Vietnam display stunned both of us. We heard bombs exploding in the background, explored the replica bunkers and the tiny hospital. The ground seemed to shake with the noise from imaginary helicopters.
Our bus trip around town allowed us to understand geography for sites to visit. We ate a decadent dinner before attending an evening concert at the Round Church. “The Sounds of Charleston” at this church is a must-see concert with ballads, Gershwin and twangy, country tunes. The narrator added history, humor and quick transitions. I said to my husband, “This may be the best day of our visit.” A soft rain fell with twilight.
The Weather
The next day television newscasters predicted flooding and storms from the nearby hurricane with bad weather for the next three days. Our hotel, situated near the water, made us extremely nervous. I wandered outside our hotel. Yikes! The swamp beside the hotel was full of water. A sidewalk on the opposite side of the hotel surrounded a small bay with three story yachts.
We could have stayed to watch the rain and floods, but after a bit of deliberation, I called the airline to change our flights. The decision to depart took less than an hour. When we reached the airport, 18 people on the “wait list” leaned against the wall, wanting to share the ride. Luckily, our airplane left before they closed the airport. Later we heard that Charlestonians kayaked down the street where we dined the previous evening. The open-air market flooded badly.
With three days of vacation unplanned, my husband excitedly announced he made reservations for us to go to Jefferson, Texas. Sometimes his surprises are not approved, but I bounced into the car, eager to avoid the reality and disappointment of our adventure.
Part 2 extends the story of our fateful trip to Charleston, which ended too soon. My last article talked about how unexpected surprises often bring new joy. Please return for “The Change in Plans,” which I hope to post next week.