Charleston Welcomes Elizabeth City Literary Guild

I'm sure I have mentioned that I volunteer at Charleston Library Society, a fine and quite venerable institution.  I'm not sure I'll be welcomed back.  Book Club arrived on Thursday night for a long weekend of sight seeing, shopping, food and a bit of tomfoolery. We ate and drank our way up Meeting and down King, but did the most damage on Queen Street.  Husk.....Charleston's #1 newest establishment did not disappoint and dining next door at 82 Queen was everyone's top pick.  The weather Friday was perfect for a morning carriage tour through the city, followed by shopping the city market and lunch at Cru...another winner.  Cocktails and supper at our apartment was fun (Anne and Will Barnes joined us) and then we were off to the Dock Street Theater for a show....."Avenue Q."  Fun, raunchy and hysterical.  George was in charge of late night entertainment and he came through with Tommy Condon's, an Irish Bar that hosts nightly singing and drinking. We bellied up to the bar and joined right in until almost midnight.  That didn't hold us back on Saturday one bit.  Up and going early, we enjoyed a 3 hour home and history tour with Elise....Charleston's own Doris Day.  She was delightful, well informed and charming.  The tour combined real people's lives with the rich history of the city.  We meandered through the historic streets as Elise talked and we soaked it all in.  Lunch was another delicious culinary delight at The Blind Tiger.  In between all of this, we popped into art galleries and  a few shoe shops. Saturday afternoon was spent in search of Mrs. Whaley's garden of famed book "Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden."  It's a long story. 

But, find it we did.  It is were it's always been - 58 Church Street.  The gardens are not visable from the street, but we know they are there just beyond the wall.  Just the same, we snapped a picute of the front door for good measure.  With an ounce of energy left, we walked to the Battery and then returned (on foot) to the hotel.  Some rested, others left to shop, and some went to an art show at the college.  A pair of red boots and a nude painting later, we gathered at Charleston Place for a toast to the weekend and friendship.  Our last meal was voted as the best... 32 Queen located at 32 Queen.....lovely setting, 

We savored the evening.  What friends we are. .  It was just perfect.

We even remembered to discuss the book....."South of Broad"...of course!