Carolina Connection

Headed down south to sweet, sweet South Carolina. First stop Columbia. We spent the next few days visiting with all the family of Jack's late sister Emillia. Jack's brother-in-law David graciously offered his drive way to park the Biff. We had big family get together and David cooked his famous Eisenhower steak - yum! Had a great time catching up with everyone and seeing all the new great grand kiddos. Also played some wicked games of Hearts with David and gal Jean. Oh and maybe a glass of wine or two. I also got to have some quality girl time with Jean Louise ( standing in for my daughter Emily). It amazes me how much the two of them are alike. I miss my sweet Emily.

We also decided to spend a few days at Lee State Park not too far away from Florence. Jack's parents spent a lot of time at this state park. Jack's father taught at Francis Marion College and helped found the Math department. We visited the campus and even met with a few professors who remembered his dad. The school had a framed picture of his dad on the walls. However, the first portrait was stolen ( maybe a disgruntled student??) Another of Jack's high school buds lives in nearby Lamar. We had a great time visiting with Allen and wife Sonja. We had nice cook-out at the Biff homestead. The next day Allen showed up with the top down and we did some cruising down memory lane and the town of Florence.

Now on to my favorite part of South Carolina beautiful Edisto Beach. Spent the next week enjoying the beach and nearby Charleston. However, the rip tides where fierce due to hurricane headed toward North Carolina. We have so many good memories here! David and Emillia built a wonderful beach house here. Jack and I spent quite few vacations enjoying the beach with them and their family. It is always bitter sweet to visit since it brings back so many memories of Emillia. Edisto is also where Jack proposed to me! And of coarse no trip to Edisto is complete with out a trip or two to the Piggly Wiggly ( heck even Wikipedia mentions it). The Pig is the only grocery store on the island and it is crammed packed with everything under the sun, tourist and some of the best fried chicken made by the locals. Due to the Labor Day weekend and being kicked out of the Edisto State Park, we decided to lay low and headed back to David's driveway. Had few more days visiting with David. We also went up to Greenville one day to Jean's neck of the woods. Very pretty town with a very nice down town area on the river. Ate some good pizza too. The next day was my birthday. Jack gave me flowers ( and a promise to buy me a new bike back home) David and Jean helped to make it special by making me a nice dinner and letting me kick butt playing Hearts. Never got around to eating the birthday cake so we had if for breakfast the next day.

All in all we spent close to three weeks in South Carolina but now it is time to leave. Missing the the shrimp and grits already.