Month: July 2015

Markel Family Summer Vacation–Day Four

We had big plans for summer vacation day four, our first full day in Charleston, but our plans were a bit derailed due to a bedbug incident in our hotel, which was absolutely the worst part of our trip. After freaking out, and leaving the hotel to figure out what we were going to do, we went on our scheduled ferry ride to Fort Sumter. This was a very emotional morning for me, because it was both my first time seeing the ocean, and very humbling setting foot on a place that steeped in history. Both the boat ride (where Turkey and I saw a dolphin), and the fort itself were fantastic, and we had a great time.

IMG_4934

After going back to the hotel and switching rooms, which ate up more of our vacation time than I would have liked, we returned to downtown Charleston to walk around in the heat, and explore the Charleston Market.

IMG_4963

We also walked around to admire the many, many historic buildings. Since it was so hot, we also stopped to enjoy an Italian ice from one of the many street vendors that had a cart set up along the sidewalk!

IMG_5046

After our walk in the heat, we headed out to our one fancy dinner at Fleet Landing. This was one of the most amazing meals I’ve ever enjoyed, and definitely lived up to the hype. We had a table right next to the windows overlooking the water, and we saw a dolphin family playing fairly close to the shore. We also got to see a storm roll in over the harbor while we were dining, which was a fun experience.

IMG_0088

No further walking after dinner, because it was still raining, but we did drive around a bit so I could take pictures of Rainbow Row on East Bay, as well as the gorgeous houses on South Battery, and the beautiful White Point Garden.

IMG_5168

After I had my fill of photos for the day, we headed back to our (new) hotel room, and went for another swim in the pool. We also indulged in another vacation pleasure…watching cable TV in our hotel room!

The First Illinois State Capital

Today we drove down to Kaskaskia, IL, to check out the site of the first state capital. The town has both a complicated history and geography. It was founded by French Jesuits as a mission to Native Americans, and later became the capital of Upper Louisiana. It remained an important western location in the early years of American colonization and independence, and is known as the home of the “Liberty Bell of the West,” which was a gift from King Louis XV of France (inscribed with the words “For the Church of the Illinois, by gift of the King across the water”), and which was rung after George Rogers Clark and his men liberated the town on July 4, 1778.

IMG_5514

IMG_5510

Kaskaskia became the capital of the new Illinois Territory, and was briefly the capital of the state of Illinois after it was admitted to the union. The area has always been prone to flooding, however, and in 1881, the Mississippi River changed course, destroying most of the town, and leaving it on the wrong side of the river from the rest of the state. While it is still part of Illinois, despite being west of the river, it is today almost a ghost town, with just about a dozen residents calling it home. There is still a church there, however, which does hold weekly services.

IMG_5526

IMG_5532

Quote

Quote of the Day

“I’ll go back. Charleston never gets out of the blood of a Charlestonian, but I’ll go back to visit, not to stay”….He loved Charleston…its beauty and its grace and its soft-scented salt breezes and its courage in the face of loss and ruin.

From Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley

Markel Family Summer Vacation–Day Three

We were up (not) bright and early on day three of our summer vacation to head to Atlanta for a Braves game. Going through Chattanooga, I discovered that I’m terrified of driving through mountains, even small ones, especially when there are runaway truck ramps on the side of the road!

IMG_4493

I also learned that the traffic in Atlanta is horrendous, the name “Hotlanta” is well-deserved, and there is an appalling lack of Braves fans at Turner Field. It was still fun seeing a new ball park, however, and Chickadee loved that the Chick-fil-A cow did the Tomahawk Chop with the crowd!

IMG_4505

After the game, it was time to get back in the car, and head to our featured destination, Charleston, SC. It seemed like we’d never get there, but we finally arrived at our hotel, and even had time for a quick swim in the hotel pool before crashing!

IMG_4518

Quote

Quote of the Day

A sudden noise made her jump. Then she realized that it was the chime of a great clock somewhere above them…Behind them the chimes ended their quartet of notes. A single bell rang once. “That’s every Charlestonian’s time-keeper,” Eleanor Butler said, “the bells in Saint Michael’s steeple. They record our births and our passings.”

From Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley

Markel Family Summer Vacation–Days One and Two

Last Monday, we packed up the car, and headed out for almost a week for our first-ever Markel family vacation. Our first stop was Bowling Green, KY, to visit Ryan’s parents. The first day was pretty much driving and family time, plus the children got to go bowling, ride bumper cars, and play skee ball without me, much to my chagrin!

IMG_0009

On day two, we toured the National Corvette Museum, a place I had never been before. It was fun seeing all of the cars, and terrifying seeing how large the sink hole that had swallowed up several of the cars there had been!

IMG_4497

We also visited the Corsair distillery to learn how whiskey is made. We’re very familiar with the beer brewing process, but this was something totally different. I was very impressed with how efficient their very small operation is!

IMG_4606

The distillery is located on the Fountain Square in downtown Bowling Green, so we walked around there a bit, as well. There were many beautiful old buildings to admire!

IMG_4668

And we stopped by Western Kentucky University, Grandpa’s alma mater, to see the campus and admire the beautiful view from the top of the hill!

IMG_4486

Quote

Quote of the Day

Dinner was a revelation. The she-crab soup was a velvety blend of tastes that made her open her eyes wide. She’d never tasted anything so subtly delicious…

From Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley