Charleston

While in Atlanta, we decided to make use of our rental car and do a day trip to Charleston.

So, some of the houses look like this...

Many houses were destroyed in the 1886 earthquake and rebuilt with earthquake rods. The city of Charleston is working on rebuilding their historic center, but it's a project that takes time and money. It's fun to think that there was a lifetime where women dressed in large hoop-skirts and drank sweet tea on their open porches.

I was definitely inspired to read Gone with the Wind., which is quite a long read, with an un-fulfilling ending. When you're in Georgia and South Carolina, you can totally bring yourself back in time and imagine the grandiose plantations and see where southern hospitality comes from.

 Even though historic Charleston was charming and I loved it, other parts of Charleston were not so nice. We were able to find some good food, but they were hole in the wall places (and those are always the best). We found these huge peanut butter cups.

 Pralines are amazing! You have to have a sweet tooth though. They're basically candied pecans in a sugar/cream/butter base. This is what they look like when they're fresh out of the mixer. The mixture is warm and when it cools and hardens, it is ready to serve. Sometimes, they get dipped in chocolate too. Heaven!

 Our tour guide recommended Jestine's Kitchen. Apparently, also recommended by Oprah. I could eat their fried chicken again any day. Skip the coca cola cake though. I don't get it.