An October Island Weekend

Erin and I arrived at Kiawah Island Thursday in time for lunch - my sister had gotten there the day before and already had hit the grocery store (I'll clarify - that's Diet Coke in the wine glass - ha!). This is the view from her back deck - we ate out there in the gorgeous weather on her new furniture, where everyone has a view of the pond and golf course :)

How do you arrive in South Carolina from East Tennessee by lunchtime on a Thursday without flying?

You leave at 4 a.m.!!!  Erin and I were packed up the night before - we threw some things in the cooler in the morning and we were off - I took this picture to send my sister at a bathroom and food stop after getting through the terrible mess that is the TN/NC border.  We ended up making a Starbucks stop and gas stop on the way also (plus a delay somewhere along the way) so it was closer to noon when we arrived but we were so happy to be with my sister and on the island with all the SUNSHINE.

The sun is my lifeblood. . .and the older I get, the more I appreciate a sunny day!  The top right picture was yesterday morning (a predicted cloudy day) and I was still able to get a peek :)

For those that know my sister, she doesn't sit still.  Most people say the same about me but I'm telling you, take me and double it - ha!  I love it. . .and Kiawah Island is an active place!!

Our first stop was a club she belongs to on the beach - I was exhausted from the drive so did not go on that first beach walk with the two of them.

Instead, this was my gorgeous view from my lounger - I took a nap and read my book.  They got back, we ordered a drink 

and caught up for awhile. 

We got back to the condo and hopped on bikes to go watch the sunset:

I'm "good" for the first couple of trips on bikes (anywhere from 3 miles to 7) but by Day Three I don't enjoy the bikes as much - ha!  I just checked my app - 

And those were the times my watch asked me if I wanted to record my "workout" :). This is probably accurate - the 1/2 mile over to the Sanctuary to play pickleball wasn't a big deal :). At least the island is flat!!

This picture does not do the marshes justice - I just love them. . .

I'm trying to learn to take my own selfies - still haven't mastered it!!

There was a beautiful gazebo over here for us sit in to watch the sun (mostly) set - we did have to ride back and it gets dark FAST on the island and there aren't any street lights so we didn't see it "dip" all the way.

We cleaned up and headed out to dinner - Jodi had made reservations as one of our favorite places - it was delicious.  I realized I forgot my phone when I went to take a picture of my B liner - so, so, SO good.  We did get a pic of us at the table though :)

Is there any better way to wake up when you are on vacation?

Friday morning, going to get a chance to read everyone else's Friday Favorites.

This little guy ran into the slider behind me and was probably stunned for a minute or two - later he started moving a bit - he's literally 3 feet away from me! - and I sent a video to my bird-loving friend.  She came back with "a a black and white warbler" :)

Erin headed out on a bike to Freshfields Village to get some coffee and alone time and Jodi and I walked up to one of her gyms so she could workout - I chose tea and a muffin and a view and ended up talking to Tom for a half hour or so.

I told him I don't know why people resist going to Independent Living communities - I could get used to having tea and muffins set out for me every day, never having to worry about what to cook for my next meal. . .having someone else take care of the grounds around me. . .expensive, sure, but I wouldn't say "no", that's for sure!!!

And then pickleball at the Roy Barth center!  They didn't really have any tennis that I was interested in, but they did have PB Open play that we could do together.  We started with fourteen people and were down to just 6 and the pro by the end - ha!  We got to play one game together and won that match, then played against one another (it was a move up/down and split format).  So much fun!!!

Another bike ride - this time on the beach!

This is always a Kiawah favorite :)

There is a new place on the beach that is part of the club Jodi belongs to - it had a GREAT menu!!

This was a Blood Orange Gin and Tonic (frozen) - I think this could easily become a beach favorite!

Another beautiful, sunny day. . .still reading that Elin Hildebrand book :)

We cleaned up and headed into Charleston - we got there a little early to shop, but the store I really wanted to go to was already closed and Erin wasn't feeling inspired either, so we headed over to The Peacock, which is my sister's Sister-in-Law's restaurant.  She built it from the ground up (literally - before she bought the building it was three separate places) - so incredibly impressive!!!

I only got a picture of my meal and the hummus that was decimated - seriously the BEST we've ever had!!!

Michelle was there (this is her hobby, BTW) and it was great to visit and catch up with her.  The friend she had with her had suggested the Poutine that I had - there was a birthday party seated next to us and when she was talking to them she highly recommended their chicken tenders. . .guess I'll need to go back!!

After we ate Jodi showed me around - she has a club on the second floor (it was empty that night, but her two private areas were full) and then we also went up to the rooftop bar  It was surprisingly not that cold up there - not many people though, maybe a dozen or so??  If you're in Charleston, I highly recommend!!  Reservations needed for sure.

We got someone to snap our picture on the way out :)

Saturday dawned bright and early with a beach walk with one of Jodi's friends (75 minutes - these are NOT leisurely strolls - ha! - but I love them)

A gator sighting at breakfast:

Then another bike ride - this time to another fitness center she belongs too on the way to Freshfield's.  Erin continued on to have her quiet morning coffee, but Jo and I stopped at her club so she could lift weights and I could sit by the pool and read and catch up with Tom again.

I sent him that picture of my watch - this is my kind of vacation, for sure :). Meanwhile, he sent a picture of the counter where he was (more on this later) strewn with last night's junk food - When Jodi was done with her workout she and Erin went kayaking (I do NOT like that activity) and then we rode back to the condo.  Football Saturday!!!  Jodi and I decided to walk up to The Sanctuary to have a drink in the bar and see if any TVs were on for the game.  There was a big wedding outdoors there and the groomsmen kept crowding around the televisions so we didn't get much game time in, but this was, hands' down, the absolute BEST Old Fashioned I have ever had in my life - I'm ruined for anything else, ever.  Full Stop.The decorations were gorgeous (as expected) too!

The bellhop stopped to take our pic - not a favorite but still a memory :). Someone in the bar commented that they couldn't tell who I was cheering for that day ;)

And my one-and-only purchase of the weekend - I LOVE IT!!!

When we got back to the condo I didn't leave again.  Jo had a toe appointment, but college football and snacks were enough for me :)

I started outside, then when it got a little cool, moved inside. . .Everyone just kind of ate out of the fridge (I finished off my dinner from Thursday night) and we watched Redeeming Love together.  

The two of them went to bed and I stayed up texting my groups. . .

One was my husband, brother, and uncle. . .the first two dropped off (they were at a bachelor party) and it was just me and Uncle Dave through the MI and TN games. . .

Nothing better than waking up to this the next morning:

Woke up kinda early yesterday (but not as early as my sis - she had a 705 plane to catch!) and sat on the deck for a an hour or so to read. . .

and watch the "sunrise".  It was forecasted to be a cloudy day.  After I packed up, I headed out for a walk (Erin wasn't feeling well - cold/allergies - so she stayed back to pack and get the condo ready for cleaners) and spotted this guy in the parking lot!

It didn't bother him at all that I was walking through :)

Such a pretty walk to the beach and even with a weak sun, it was still a great way to start the day!

Goodbye beach - until next time. . .

Meanwhile. . .(this post is already too long so I'll just mention it here)

Stephen was hosting Robert's bachelor party in Cincinnat - Tom went with them and Uncle Brian provided the B&B ;)

Robert sent these pics so assuming o.k. to post. . .a great group of guys to celebrate his upcoming wedding with!!!  Middle school all the way to guys he works with today :)Uncle Brian claims to have been happy to host and cook - I know they were happy to eat!!!

And, back in Tennessee, this girl turned 25!!!  Her awesome Knoxville friend went over to Clarksville to surprise her and sent me some pics so I wouldn't feel left out on her big day :)

I even got a video of them signing Happy Birthday to her - what an incredible community she has there!!!

Was it worth my last two hours to write this - yes!!  I'm happy to have these times to look back on in the future. . .life goes by so fast sometimes. . .I want to make sure that I am grateful for every minute of the days.  Some are just more full than others ;)

I'm linking up with Sarah and Holly today for Hello Monday - can't wait to see what others are doing with their fall weekends this year.

Off to start a 5-day week at work. . .first one in a couple of weeks!

Love,

Jenni

P.S.  I finally finished that book last night - HIGHLY recommend!!