the bEaCh! :)

On the Thursday of our trip (we were in SC from late Sunday until late Friday), we packed up for the beach at Hunting Island (about 16 miles outside of Beaufort). But as we made our approach, we wondered if we hadn't made a wrong turn--or what kind of beach might this be?--or should we be on look-out for velociraptors? Eventually, the trees did give way to the waves, and we sighed our relief.

Hunting Island Lighthouse

Located on the far edge of Hunting Island is the creatively named Hunting Island Lighthouse. We had intended to climb the lighthouse, but decided to eat an ice-cream bar instead. We have no regrets. Read more about the lighthouse here.

St Michael's Episcopal Church, Charleston, SC

We were perusing the churchyard at St Michael's on Tuesday, when Frank Barnwell came over, introduced himself to us, and invited us to the Noonday service he was about to officiate. Frank, it turns out, is a longtime lay reader and weekly service leader at St Michael's. We talked briefly before he left us to vest; twenty minutes later he found us, reiterated his invitation, and went to prepare the prayers.

The prayers themselves were appropriately short, including the basic outline for Prayers at Noonday and the readings and meditation from Our Daily Bread. Frank also offered prayers for leisure and travelers, from the Book of Common Prayer. The service was the church's gift to strangers.

Rebekah and I marveled as we left the church later: a lay person, likely on his lunch break, officiating a service solely for those nosing around his church (all five of us who attended the prayers were visitors), actively recruiting us from our tourist spot among the tombs. In that moment, it was hard not to feel like Mary, wandering without purpose through the rocks, unexpectedly finding (or being found by) true encounter with the Body of Christ.

It is a wonderful thing to be made a part of the People of God.

Nave, St Michael's

VBS, in full swing.

Beks, jaw-dropped and in awe of this pictured gardenia.

Quilt on display, for auction in support of children's ministries.

"Mark the perfect Man, and behold the upright; for the end of that Man is peace." Psalm 37:37

Maxin' (in Charleston and Beaufort, SC)

Highlights from Middleton Place

Middleton Place was our first official stop late Monday morning. Located just outside of Charleston, Middleton is one of three plantations along Ashley River Road; the English gardens unique to Middleton date to 1741 and are absolutely gorgeous. Click here for more Middleton history.

Beks says to report that we nearly washed away driving to the plantation. In fact, a series of showers threatened to end this short trip before it began. Lucky for us, the rain subsided, and we spent the rest of a beautiful day wallowing in 110% humidity.

What We Ate

The Low Country likes to showcase incredible food. Just as much, we like to eat it.

MONDAY
Breakfast at the Vendue Inn:
Cheese grits with fried eggs, onions, chiles, tomatoes, andouille sausage, peppers, green onions, coffee and OJ (JR); mini Belgian waffles with strawberry compote, fried eggs, milk, juice, and coffee (Beks)

Lunch at Middleton Place:
BBQ sandwich, orange, muscadine cider (JR); turkey sandwich, orange (Beks); Ben and Jerry's Half-Baked ice cream stick (both)

Dinner at Poogan's Porch:
Roast duck with watermelon gastrique, sauteed spinach, risotto, Alagash White (JR); buttermilk fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans (Beks)

Dessert:
Maker's Mark (on The Roof Top)
Milk and cookies at the Vendue Inn

TUESDAY
Breakfast at the Vendue:
Scrambled eggs, green onions, chiles, grits, and OJ (both)

Lunch at Tommy Condon's:
Shrimp and grits, Sweetwater 420 (JR); salmon salad (Beks)

Mid-day snack:
Moon-pie and an RC Cola (both) *an inevitable, but regrettable, experience

Dinner at Joseph P. Riley, Jr Park ("the Joe"):
Hot dog, nachos, Coke, Shock Top, boiled peanuts (JR); pizza, lemon ice, most of my nachos (Beks)

After-dinner:
fruit-infused water at the Vendue

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast at Vendue:
Strawberry pancakes with bacon and OJ (both)

Lunch at the Blue Crab:
Crabcake sandwich, asparagas and tomato salad, sweet tea (JR); fried flounder sandwich, asparagas and tomato salad (Beks)

Early afternoon snack at the Rhett House Inn:
Lemonade, shortbread cookies, brownies, and snickerdoodles (both)

Dinner at Dockside:
Fried shrimp, Palmetto Amber, fries (JR); boiled shrimp, steamed veggies, baked potato (Beks); hush puppies and dinner rolls (both)

Dessert at the Rhett House Inn:
Chocolate cake (Beks); orange bundt cake (JR); Jack Daniels

THURSDAY
Breakfast at Rhett House:
French toast, fried eggs, OJ, fruit cup (Beks); scrambled eggs (with lots of cheese), grits, wheat toast, bacon, cranberry juice

Lunch on our own at the beach (on Hunting Island):
Greek salad, peach tea (JR); pita with hummus (Beks); watermelon and grapes (both)

Mid-afternoon snack at Rhett House:
Cheese and fruit and crackers (both); Rum and Coke (JR)

Dinner at Plums:
Ginger scallop salad (Beks); lump crab cakes with asparagus and jasmine rice, Dead Guy Ale (JR)

Dessert at Rhett House:
Orange bundt cake (both); Dewar's scotch (while watching a roof-rattling thunderstorm from the second story porch)

FRIDAY
Breakfast at Rhett House:
Blueberry pancakes, fruit cup (both); sausage and OJ (JR); fried eggs and cranberry juice (Beks)

Lunch at Panini's:
Blanco pizza (Beks); Mediterranean pizza, sweet tea (JR)

Preggers

Beks' good friend Meghan (due less than a week after Beks!) came down on Tuesday to visit over breakfast. It was a short but very sweet time. I know Beks is thrilled to share this season with Megs.
Seven-and-a-half months!!

Hydrangeas

The title kinda says it all. They were beautiful.

St Helena Church, Beaufort, SC

For the better part of two years now, I've wondered how there ever came to be a "St Helena's" church in a small, south Texas town of largely free-thinking Germans. Our vacation (unexpectedly) gave the start of an answer. About a block from the bed and breakfast that Beks and I called our temporary home--and since 1712--stands St Helena Episcopal church. As it happens, this St Helena was home to generations of Elliotts, one of whom was the Robert Barnwell Woodward Elliott who, in 1874, became the first bishop of the Missionary District of Western Texas. In 1881, seven years into his episcopacy, Bishop Elliott organized St Helena's Episcopal Church in Boerne. Go figure.

Beks and I had a great time visiting with Angie, the volunteer docent of the day. She graciously showed us around and traded stories before taking off to visit family--and await the birth of her 5th grandchild! Senior Associate Mark Avera was equally warm and gracious. Our real-life connection was an incredible reminder of the living, open, and grace-filled nature of history--and (probably more) the open-handed communion of the Body of Christ.

View more pics of St Helena Episcopal here.