Charleston 101

If you ever consider a trip to Charleston, there is one steadfast, break-me-or-you'll-be-sorry rule to keep in mind. (Or, if you have already been, you'll certainly relate.) We'll discuss it and a few others below:)

1) Charleston is a walking city so wear comfortable, worn in shoes. This is by far the singular most important rule when going to Charleston. If ignored, you'll be in misery - trust me. Chances are you'll park your car when you arrive and not return until you leave. OK - not every trip, because there are beautiful things outside the city you must explore as well, but for the most part you'll be walking..... ALOT. Now for the Princess (that'd be me) who generally falls in the bucket of "Walk? Are you SERIOUS? Whatever...call me a Cab" club this can present a few challenges. As I type this I have 6 blisters on my feet the size of Texas as painstaking evidence of my trip to Charleston last week. AND - I followed the rule! Not to mention, the fashion sacrifices of wearing my Sketchers or Keds with EVERY outfit. All of the aforementioned, I can happily say - it's well worth it.
This brings up a secondary, almost as important rule. Ibuprofen. Bring it, love it. You'll need it. OK Ibuprofen is for amateurs, I bring the "big-girl" drugs, but that's only because I have a back that thinks it's 80 years old. Once again, chances are if you don't bring your choice of pain killers, you'll be making a stop if you're not well acquainted with walking, all day, every day.

Back to the shoes. Both of my gals that accompanied me on this trip, brought the cutest pair of high-heeled boots for our evenings out. (Bless their hearts they tried!) The first gave them a go on a 5--block walk to dinner the first night. Needless to say there was a decree that we must immediately go straight back to the hotel after dinner, do not pass "Go", do NOT collect $200. The second, put her fabulous boots on our last night...strutted around the hotel room saying "I'll be OK"...after about 10min, luckily, we talked her out of it. So lessons learned....learn my young Padawan learners.....Learn.

2) While we're talking Fashion... Here's the battle: You want to be comfortable we know this already. However, inevitably you will want to spruce yourself up at night because Charleston does have it's fair share of fashionistas strutting about. It is the South and there is a pretty clear air of, well, let's call it "Southern elegance". Dunno what to tell you kids. It's a choice I guess. Best advice I can give is to either be cognizant of the walking challenge, or hire a driver. Although I tout myself as a Princess minus pretentiousness....I chose the Keds-let's-hang-out-in-taverns-route:) Other than that. Layer, layer, layer. Spring and Fall evening can bring a chill with the ocean breezes, but the day is beautiful. Layer, layer, layer.

3) The Best time to go - Spring or Fall. Granted Charleston's beauty will be there come July and August, but trust me when I say, it'll be HOT. Really hot, if you do. With, mind you, you-got-to-cut-the-air-to-breathe-it humidity. For me, I can't stand to be hot and when I get to that point it ruins everything. Don't care how pretty things are when I have a stream of sweat running down my face, back and other sorted areas. To that end, Charleston is best in Spring or Fall. You're comfortable, the sun is shining, and no bugs. And, I promise you will have a moment of walking through the beautiful streets of Charleston, bright sunshine and you'll say, and keepsaying for that matter, "It's just so beautiful"..."It's just perfect"....and you'll have an unmistakable peace come upon you that will likely stay with you for your entire trip.

4) Explore. Although Charleston's beauty is evident everywhere you go, I find the most beautiful spots are those that are hidden, those that you just happen upon while walking around. So explore the little alley, walk

down the seemingly uncrowded street. You'll not be sorry, I promise.

Jodie