Charleston, SC- An underrated destination

In Sept. 2005 I was lucky enough to get the chance to visit Charleston, South Carolina. I know what you're thinking, random, right?....I'm telling you it was such an amazing place to take a vacation! Highly recommended!




I love historic places and Charleston is as historic as it gets. Cobblestone roads, ghost tours, carriage rides, tons of history! Fort Sumpter is right off the coast in Charleston Harbor, but if you like history you probably know that;)





Notice the scene in the below portrait, then the next pic...


This is the same view....things have changed just a bit. ;)


Cool Charleston fact: There is a city law that no buildings are allowed to be built higher than the church steeples....you won't see any high rise buildings here. What a cool way to keep the city's historic vibe.

Charleston interesting fact: parts of Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" and parts of "The Notebook" were filmed here. Specifically both films had a scene in front of the building below. Look familiar?

Also, Charleston has amazing seafood and great beds and breakfast. The houses were so beautiful as well w/ absolutely amazing architecture. Needless to sayI took a zillion pics of them. Shocking, I know.

The below house is referred to as "The Wedding Compromise" because the original owners wife liked Italian architecture and he liked Roman architectecture, so the house features both. Such a creative concept.

Charleston is famous for "Rainbow Row"

Recognize the building in the portrait below?

History fascinates me, what can I say?

All in all I have to say Charleston is definitely one of my favorite U.S. cities!

-Danielle

"A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking." ~Earl Wilson

Taking the long way around...

If I had to pick one song that completely sums up my decision to quit my corporate job @ Target and my desire to look back with no regrets it would have to be "The Long Way Around" by the Dixie Chicks.

This song says it all.

I thought I would post the lyrics because I honestly listen to this song at least once a week and find inspiration in it every time...



My friends from high school married their high school boyfriends
Moved into houses in the same ZIP codes where their parents live
But I, I could never follow No I, I could never follow


I hit the highway in a pink RV with stars on the ceiling
Lived like a gypsy, six strong hands on the steering wheel


I've been a long time gone now
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
But I've always found my way somehow
By taking the long way
Taking the long way around


I met the queen of whatever
Drank with the Irish and smoked with the hippies
Moved with the shakers
Wouldn't kiss all the asses that they told me to


No I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow


It's been two long years now since the top of the world came crashing down
And I'm getting' it back on the road now
But I'm taking the long way
Taking the long way around
I'm taking the long way
Taking the long way around


Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself
I opened my mouth and I heard myself
It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself
Guess I could have made it easier on myself


But I could never follow
No I could never follow


Well, I never seem to do it like anybody else
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
If you ever want to find me I can still be found
Taking the long way
Taking the long way around...

I'm proud to be taking the long way around.

-Danielle

The trip that changed everything...

...In May of 2005, right after I graduated from Michigan State University, I went to Europe for the first time (somehow I knew even before I got there that it wouldn't be the last) I ventured there with Brian (my bf at the time, we're great friends now, yes I know, weird right?) and our friends Paul and Kelly. We visited London and Paris and I can honestly say this trip changed my life. I know it sounds cliche, but it did....











...it was the first big trip I went on with my new digital camera. I took a million pics (because I could! No more 24 exp film crap) and I haven't stopped taking pictures since.;) I went to the Louvre which made me realize how much I enjoy art museums and art in general, and I got to see these two very different cultures which was so amazing. This is the trip that truly made me fall in love with traveling!! If you have yet to go to Europe, you have to plan a trip ASAP!!...






...London was awesome, but I have to say Paris holds a special place in my heart, it is such an amazing place to visit. We sat and drank wine right in front of the Eiffel Tower which was a surreal experience I'll never forget.











Included are some of my favorite pics from one of my favorite trips!



















"When good Americans die, they go to Paris."- Oscar Wilde

-Danielle

Goal: To travel the world...

Hola!

I have created this blog to document my past, present and future trips in the U.S. and the world...my ultimate goal is to visit all 7 continents...as of now I am at 2, North America of course and Europe. I am 25 years old and want to travel to at least 6 of the 7 by age 30.

While many people are spending their mid-twenties in unfulfilling cubicle jobs I plan to live mine up on travel adventures:). I love to experience new things and I don't want to wait until retirement to do so.

"The world is a book, and those who don't travel read only one page"

-Danielle