Where the heart is.........

Just before Thanksgiving, I was sent on a trip to Folly Beach, South Carolina. I've visited the Palmetto State before - with a quick work trip to Myrtle Beach - but this time something was different. I was so excited to head to the Charleston area and was really looking forward to exploring a city with so much charm and history! Plus, there is a moon on their flag, that qualifies the state for a few extra points in my book right away! Little did I know I'd fall in love with Folly and only make it into the city once.....

I arrived in the early afternoon, and after a 40 minute cab ride from the airport, settled into my beachfront hotel room. It was a beautiful day for getting out and about, so after admiring the view from my balcony one more time, I headed out for a stroll down the town's main street. Every shop and restaurant sports a beach theme - with a twist... Just take a peek at some of the places:

Throughout my visit, I enjoyed tasty margaritas at Rita's Seaside Grille, some yummy fried corn at Taco Boy, and during lunch one afternoon at Blu (the hotel's signature restaurant) I was entertained by the dolphins that decided to play just yards away in the ocean. Are you beginning to understand why I fell in love and hated to leave?!

The Folly Beach Fishing Pier is a local landmark and the focus of many pictures by all who visit the little island. I found myself there at some point each day whether to shop for some local flare, immerse myself in the local culture, or to simply bask in the beauty of the setting sun.

Another favorite landmark is The Morris Island Lighthouse. There is such a peace that encompasses you when you step foot onto the sandy shores. Pieces of driftwood litter the coast, and the only sounds you hear are those of the waves crashing along the beach accompanied by the cries of the birds overhead. My only regret was not getting to visit the lighthouse more than once.

During dinner one night, my coworker and I were offered a pair of tickets to the Alan Jackson concert in town. There was a couple at the hotel celebrating their anniversary and decided they'd rather stay on the beach than go into the city for the concert. Ashley and I jumped at the opportunity and soon found ourselves enjoying the vocals of one long-legged cowboy.

On my day off, I decided to head into Charleston and take in the sights. In my typical whirlwind fashion, I tried to see as much as possible all in one day. I was not disappointed! The historic houses took my breath away. Each one I saw was more beautiful than the next and I kept envisioning the lives that have been lived within those walls. I could easily picture myself enjoying a mint julep on the porch while taking in the scenery of The Battery. There were churches scattered all across the city each one unique and gorgeous as only a church can be.

I was invited to the CD release party of the Taylor Festival Choir by one of the members of the choir who also happens to be an employee of my hotel. Having never been to a CD release party, let alone one for Celtic Christmas music, I was not sure what to expect, but since it was being held in a bar in Charleston, I knew I didn't want to miss the chance to find out. It turned out to be a very fun way to end my day of exploration!

As I've said before, I relish the opportunities my job provides to see new places or revisit old ones. With each trip, I try to take part of that place with me when I leave. With all that I took away from Folly Beach, I actually find that I left part of my heart there too. Surprisingly, I'm okay with that :o)

A-lo-ha!

There are times in my life that I feel like I must be doing something right. These moments are few and far between, but have been a bit more prevalent as of late, or it could just be that I'm finally paying attention. One of the events that has helped me stop and take notice was my recent trip to Hawai'i. Make that my two recent trips to Hawai'i.

My best friend and I began a great tradition last year of taking our vacations together and going somewhere neither of us has ever been. Last year we did a tour of France and then a quick trip to London and this year we chose Hawai'i! We began our trip on The Big Island in Kona. We tried to do all we could do and with the aide of a rental car, covered quite a lot of ground in just a few days. We were able to zip line on the west side of the island under a canopy of gorgeous trees with a beautiful blue sky that seemlessly blended into the ocean. By the time that was over, we felt ready to zip across the whole island! We left the compound and went for a hike down to the most beautiful black sand beach I'd ever seen (granted it was the only one up to this point, but still - it was breathtaking!). We watched the sun go down and then began our hike back up the to the road just as the sun set below the horizon.

On another day, we left our hotel at the insane hour of 4:00 AM and drove to the eastern side of the island to Hilo where we had a date with a helicopter. We took off just as the sun was making it's appearance. We hovered over a smoldering volcano, flew past the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut farm and company, and ended up parallel to flowing waterfalls. My dad flew in a helicopter earlier in the summer, but his trip was more out of necessity than entertainment. I definitely recommend my type of tour over his.

We also went sailing and snorkeling one day out to the Captain Cook Monument. Our guides were most informative; they both know the history of the island so well, we were unable to stump them with questions. Although looking back, how would we have known if they were knowledgeable or just good story tellers? Regardless, it was a very memorable day. We rounded out that day with a trip to the only green sand beach in the world. It's quite a journey to get there, but one that is definitely worth it!

The traditional Hawaiian luau we attended proved to be worth every penny. The food was second to none (even the poi!) and the pina coladas served in coconut monkeys were most tasty. The band, the emcee, the dancers, the other tourists, the added accompaniment of the ocean, and the sunset backdrop all combined to create a sensory experience I long to enjoy again.

We then traveled to the island of O'ahu for a more traditional Hawaiian experience. Here we were just a hop, skip and a jump away from the ocean and centrally located in the heart of Waikiki. We were surprised by how different this island was from the first. The Big Island is much more rural whereas O'ahu, and particularly Waikiki, is more geared to providing all the conveniences of home (especially if home is Rodeo Drive). The main thoroughfare is lined with hotels, shops and restaurants to fill your every wish and that cater to every budget.

My most memorable experience of this trip was our visit to Pearl Harbor. Not only is the monument so moving it renders it's guests speechless, the spirit of the place is unlike any I've encountered. There are videos depicting the bombing, images posted around the grounds with stories of lives lost and undetered spirit of the American servicemen and women, museums in the form of battleships and submarines, and of course gift shops. Betsy and I happened to be lucky enough to meet and speak with a few survivors of that fateful day. I have never been so charmed and moved.

Since we enjoyed our snorkeling experience so much the first time, we decided to rent gear and go again on our own. This time we went to Hanauma Bay where royalty used to go to play and is now a marine life conservation area. Although we still enjoyed this new location, the water was not as clear, and was much more frigid than that off the coast of the Big Island, so we spent a little more time on the beach. That evening we met my friend Ryan and some of his buddies at a night club. I hadn't seen Ryan in almost 2 years, so it was a great treat that he happened to be in the neighborhood.

We spent our last morning just touring the area on foot. We were able to locate a fabulous 'donut' place called Leonard's where we feasted like queens on their delectable malasadas. We make a quick trip by the zoo, then headed to the aquarium before eventually making our way to the airport and home to Texas.

Just 3 short months later, I was sent back to Waikiki for work of all things! This time, I had on my agenda things that I was unable to do on my first go round. I was also able to just hang out on the beach more which is one of my guilty pleasures.

In addition to exploring downtown Honolulu, hiking Diamond Head Crater, touring the Dole Plantation, checking out the waves on the North Shore, and enjoying some incredible shaved ice, I also happened to luck out by getting to spend the day with a friend of mine from the Army. She and her family relocated to Trippler a year ago, and she has been living it up on the beach ever since! It was so nice to reconnect after the almost 8 years of time apart. Funny how with true friends time just doesn't matter. Not only was seeing her and meeting her precious children a treat, she took me to her secret lagoon were I was finally able to swim with sea turtles! I hadn't mentioned my quest before, but with each day, I was filled with the hope and desire of simply seeing a turtle, so for Ariel to make that dream a reality and more, I was one happy girl!