The Ford Family: Charleston South Carolina Vacation

Justin's school had a week long fall break....something we're not used to in Missouri....so we decided to take advantage of it and vacate to Charleston, South Carolina for a few days. We had lots of fun, but it's definitely WAY different being on vacation with an almost 1 1/2 year old! Olivia did amazing. Although the car ride home (6 hours) didn't go over so well. We also went to Dollywood and a Tennessee vs Alabama football game during the break. I've never seen so much orange or heard such loud shouting from one group! I bet that's what it sounded like when the walls of Jericho fell with a shout of Joshua's army! Lots of fun!

We stopped at the Apple Festival in Waynesville, North Carolina on the way down. Olivia found a few pumpkins instead of apples....

Olivia got pretty worn out during the trip. We might have to look into getting another car seat for her baby-she's awfully big! In Columbia, she was so tired, she fell asleep before she finished her gram cracker.

We stayed one night in Columbia, South Carolina. Before we left, we stopped by Finley Park in the downtown area. It was very nice with a cool waterfall set up.

In Charleston, one of the places we ate at was Hyman's Seafood. This meal was cool because they served boiled peanuts as the standard appetizer! Olivia and I were loving it! We each ate a bowl a piece! Other great spots were the Charleston Seafood House, where we had king crab on the roof balcony and Jestine's, which was is a local favorite and has received mention from Rachel Ray and several cooking magazines.

Charleston water fountain. Olivia managed to only get her toes a tad wet.

We took a carriage ride around downtown Charleston to learn some history of the area. Very cool. Plus the horses, named 'Hit' and 'Run', were a hit with Olivia.

We took a boat ride out to Fort Sumter (first shots of the Civil War). Lots of history.

Olivia was HILARIOUS with the cannon! She kept yelling and singing into it because it echoed so well. It was like her echophone (microphone) only bigger!

This was under a pavilion in Battery Park. One of the few family pictures we got.

This was also in Battery Park. Justin has a picture just like this from when he was young.

Olivia had to carry on the tradition.

We went to Folly Beach and shell hunted. The water was way too cold to get in, but Olivia still had fun running in and out of the water with the waves.

We toured through the Heyward-Washington House. Thomas Heyward lived there...he signed the Declaration of Independence. Also President George Washington stayed a week there when he visited Charleston. We were in the outside kitchen area.

Go VOLS!!! Here are a couple pictures of the Univ. of TN vs. #2 Alabama football game. The stadium and crowd were pretty cool, but the team sure stinks this year. We sat on the 30 yd line, second row in the balcony; a very nice view.