Well, you know how I finally made it down to Charleston (driving 6 hours through that damn blizzard) but you don’t know what I got to do while I was there! Highlights included a visit to the Charleston Historical Society where I purchased a Lyre gate necklace (designed after the famed Lyre gates all over the city), a historic Carriage ride through the Holy City, and finally a fabulous dinner and night out at High Cotton Restaurant and The Blind Tiger(yup that's right- they're on 10best.com). Our shopping trip to the City Market was by far my favorite though. I purchased an antique ring fashioned out of a spoon. AND, it only just got antique status because it was made in 1910- a century old!
Following a fun and fondue-filled Valentine’s, I headed north to Elon for the night where I got to meet up with some old friends for a snowy reunion at the Piedmont Ale House. Despite the bad service, it was tasty as always and so fun to watch new friends meet old friends. I even had time to make it to the Beehive, where I got to visit with the little ones and *Pogo Pam, who, very kindly, gave me my very own travel tumbler. Great for having in my hotel room!
After a night in Burlington, we (a fellow world traveler- in case you were wondering) drove up to Indianapolis, with the intent on stopping at various Virginia and West Virginia wineries on our drive up- great idea right? Well sneaky Old Man Winter had other plans it seems, and the last few weeks of snow in the north prevented us from off-roading in the Virginia back country and sampling some of their finest fortified grape juice as planned. Maybe snow and wine tasting don't really mix? Dreams dashed, we continued through the snow and sought new adventures instead, so just outside Cincinnati we stopped for a delicious Creole meal to celebrate Mardi Gras. I even got Mardi Gras beads!
When we finally made it to Indianapolis, I was on my own again and had the opportunity to explore the city that I “technically” work out of. Although it was snowy and icy, not my favorite combination whatsoever, I did take myself out for walks around the Capitol, downtown in search of tasty local fare and to some darling shops. I even got a home cooked meal with my best friends mom- quite a treat. It was the perfect little break.
My week off ended with an awesome visit to Oliver Winery, a small, family-owned estate in Bloomington, Indiana. Finally made it wine tasting! And yes- that’s right- INDIANA. They have their own state wine you know.... My travels this year have afforded me the opportunity to see some really cool wineries all over the country, and this was definitely one of them.
Snow drifts and ice delayed my flights a bit to Great Salt Lake, but now that I’m finally here, I am getting to enjoy a bit of the Winter Wonderland here in Utah. No wineries nearby… but there is PLENTY of snow to keep me busy these next few days!
*A delightful North Carolinian who travels by ATV with handy travel tumbler.
HEeeeeyyyy, do I recognize Erin Boom in that picture??????? :)
ReplyDeleteglad you made the most of your week off!
am sad I DIDN'T buy the Lyre necklace ... a def. must on my next trip!
LITB and WDA