Two Days and One Night at White Lake

After our trip to Charleston we got to stop at White Lake, where Dustin's family vacations each year. We had a great time!! We rented jet-skiis!! It was so fun!
Sadie playing on the board walk
The ducks were hanging around all weekend. Look how nice the water is!
I got a surprise birthday dessert!

Grandma Angell and Grandma Sparks
We played Uno- I had lots of yellow!

Dustin- always being silly

Our Romantic 5-Year Anniversary Get-Away!

For our Five-Year Anniversary, Dustin planned a special trip for us. He started planning back in February, and it all came together this past weekend (June 7th through 10th). We left on my birthday, and I really did not know where we were headed! When I found out that it was Charleston, I was so excited!!! I have wanted to visit the historic town for years, and it was a dream-come-true. Dustin had planned all sorts of activities for us, and he had even made reservations weeks before at restaurants that had vegetarian menus. I was so surprised!!

On The Way

This was Dustin's TOP SECRET envelope. It had been floating around the house for a while, and it was so hard not to peek inside!

We're going to Charleston!!!

Upon Arrival

When we got to our suite we found a gift was waiting for us! Dustin's parents love Charleston, and they had told us so much about it. They called and arranged for a gift bag of Charleston goodies to be in our room. How sweet!!

The fountain in the lobby (picture taken from the top of the stairs)

Tristan

One of the places where we ate was called "Tristan." It was the best meal that we have ever had, and we've had alot of meals! The restaurant itself was beautiful. It was dark, romantic, and very modern inside. It was the kind of restaurant where the waiter puts your napkin in your lap for you- very fancy. I am a very girly girl, so it was really fun for me to get all dressed up and eat in an elegant restaurant.

We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Dustin had chicken, and it was so tender that it almost melted in your mouth (yes, I tasted it!). I had a vegetable pastry dish that was so full of flavor and freshness I was sad when I'd eaten the last bite. There is such a difference between your typical chain restaurant, and restaurants that make their dishes an art. The food was beautifully arranged, and carefully prepared. Wow... That was a meal I will never forget.

After such a delicious meal we HAD to see what the dessert would be like. I got a caramelized pear and bread pudding combination, and it was amazing. The restaurant actually has a pastry chef on site who designs and prepares each dessert. When Dustin made the reservation weeks before, he told them that it would be our anniversary. So they wrote a special message on my plate, and gave us the dessert for free! Dustin had handmade apple dumplings with cider. Both dishes were amazing.Someone took a picture of us after dinner, but it was so humid that the camera lens got foggy.
I love these shoes. On the way back up to our room...

The South Carolina Aquarium

It was like an aquarium and a zoo put together. We had a great time!



Outside the aquarium We made a few new friends, and had alot of fun (we also got some strange looks.... haha)

This guy needed help getting back to the water.


Our Walking Tour

Waiting for our tour guide to arrive.
Through a spider web
A neat rooftop on the tour
This was a really neat tree

After the tour we got to go to our tour guide's house in the historic district. She made us iced tea, cucumber sandwiches, and cookies.

A Night on the Town

We had a really delicious dinner at this great Italian restaurant.

After dinner we took a walk to the battery.

This dog was so funny- he looked like he was smiling.

Charleston has so many beautiful buildings! It was a romantic walk.

We got to watch the sun set.
Marriage is wonderful.

We had so much fun!
I love this picture...

I have the sweetest and most handsome husband in the whole world!

All the gas lamps along the streets made it so romantic!

I loved the cobblestone streets!

Dustin asked for an Italian Soda after dinner, and we got a good laugh over how small it was. Here he is showing it off.
Our Suite The living room and dining area

The 1/2 bath downstairs

The kitchen

There were steps leading up to the bedroom!

The bathroom was amazing!

The jacuzzi tubLooking back down the steps
The view of the market from our balcony

Other Charleston Adventures

The Art Gallery

We didn't eat here, but it was funny, so we snapped a picture.

This resturant was delicious. We had brunch here one day, and they put a tropical twist on all their dishes. It was yummy.

We had lunch here one day, and it was also delicious!

Here I got one of the best milkshakes that I've ever had. Charleston is full of good food!

And delicious ice cream!
These bike trolleys were all over the streets. I thought they looked like alot of fun!

We didn't take a carriage ride, but it was fun to see all the beautiful horses!
The courtyard behing our Inn.It was really fun to shop The Market.

Deep in thought... and enjoying a cold coffee drink.
It was a great trip!


Us being silly with a street mirror.

Isn't this gorgeous?
We went into a cigar shop, and I had to get a picture with this guy.
Dustin really likes this picture.

I had not been awake long in this picture.
We saw some gorgeous flowers!

If you've never been to Charleston, you should make a point to go! It is its own little world. Even though it is busy with tourists, it is quaint and romantic. I've never been anywhere quite like it. What made it most fun was enjoying it with my amazing husband. I am so thankful to be married to such a man. He proves his love for me every day, but I can't tell you how special I felt after seeing all that he had planned for me. I can never thank him enough.

I can't believe we have been married for five years. The time has flown by! And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with Dustin Clay Harrell.

Happy Anniversary Baby... I love you.