So, the original plan was to go see Chase in May as that would be about halfway between bootcamp graduation and A school graduation but the new real ID rules go into effect in May and Someone hasn't gotten the new license, so I guess April it is. Which is totally fine because I am more than ready to see the kiddo!!!
We flew out of Sioux Falls at 3:19 on Wednesday, April 9. Parked in Mom and Dad's garage and got a ride to the airport by the greatest driver, Aunt Jen. This makes traveling so convenient (well, as convenient as air travel can be...). Smooth flights and easy connection in Chicago. Got into Charleston around 9:30. We had an Emerald Aisle Car rental and I really wanted an SUV. The only one they had some sketchy lady was sitting in reclining. I think an employee was taking an unauthorized break. So we ended with a Malibu, at least I really like the gray blue color....
Headed for the hotel, Comfort Inn and Suites, just about 10 minutes from the airport. Is a decent place, seems like it was probably really nice at one time but is showing it's age.
Slept okay, woke up a couple times but that is normal these days. Breakfast at the hotel didn't look super appetizing so we went next door to a Bojangles. We got a couple sausage biscuits and brought them back to hotel. Was fine, nothing to get too excited about.
Headed into downtown historic Charleston. We had a Noon tour to Fort Sumter so we just found a parking garage and did some wandering. Such cool architecture! Walked through City Market which is an open-air building with all different vendors, at least four or five blocks long. I was good and restrained from any purchases.
City Market building
They have the coolest trees!!!
Churches everywhere! Charleston is called the Holy City with over 400 churches!
We did the Fort Sumter tour, along with about 100 children on a field trip. At first, I cringed but they did an excellent job at keeping them from being disruptive to rest of us. On the ferry ride they had the first level and couldn't leave that, the rest of us had the upper two levels. Even at the fort, which was WAY smaller than I expected they were very well behaved. It was about a half hour ferry ride out to the island with some great views along the way. Including the USS Yorktown which we will be touring on Saturday.
USS Yorktown
I really should have read up more on my history before we went but the Fort was where the first shot was fired in the Civil War. Very interesting history, changed hands a few times during the war. It is just a shell of what it was but worth a trip!
This only shows what remains from the first level, the original structure was three levels high.
Got back around 2:30 and we were ready for a bite to eat. So meandered our way back to King Street, a touristy street with lots of shopping, restaurants, and bars. Along the way we came across these buildings. Interesting story!
Stopped in at Rusty Bull Brewing for a little bite to eat and cold beverage. We didn't want anything big as we were going to supper with Chase so we each had a pretzel. It was delicious! So good this is the picture I got...
Decided to head back towards the hotel and base as we didn't want to hit traffic too bad. Kurt set the GPS to avoid highways which we both prefer. One neighborhood was a bit iffy but we made it! Freshened up at the hotel and headed out to get Chase.
Driving out to the base it seems like it is in the boonies! About a half hour drive but took about a half hour with traffic and waiting on a train. Finally got to my boy! Perfect timing as he was just walking up when we got out of the car. So Good To See Him!!!! I cannot believe I did not take a single picture of him but guess I was just a bit distracted.
Headed back to Park Circle and went to Lola for supper. My dinner was AMAZING! We had appetizer of some type of crab (no thanks, I didn't even try!) and Boudin Balls. The Boudin Balls are fried balls filled with sausage and dirty rice. It was served on dirty rice with BBQ Boom Boom Sauce. So yummy! Once again, too hungry I forgot to take a picture. Main course Kurt had the Captains Platter with catfish and crawfish (he said it was okay), Chase the Etouffee (a stew smothered seafood with andouille sausage and shrimp over rice) which he seemed to like, and I had the Gumbo YaYa (some type of stew with chicken, andouille, and rice) which was superb! The guys had some beignets for dessert (I settled for just a bite as I was already stuffed!).
Gumbo YaYa
After supper we walked around Park Circle just a bit and then brought Chase back to the base. He still has class in the morning. 5:30 am muster!
After dropping Chase off came back to the hotel and walked around the corner to another Rusty Bull location. I had a flight and then the Berry Stomp.
Walked back to hotel to call it a night. Blogging and to bed. Great day one!
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