The Lowcountry is Beautiful

Wilmington, NC - Charleston, SC

Miles: 175
Time: 3 hours and 30
Stops: 1
States: 2

Our night out in Wilmington was a traditional Bodine family affair. Drinks at George's with Uncle Mike and Aunt Anne's favorite bartender followed by dinner at the Phoenix Cafe. We got home in time to watch Michael Phelps win his first gold medal in Beijing, in the Men's 400 IM. This morning, we walked along the water in Wrightsville Beach, just down the road from Wilmington. It made me wonder why I was traveling so far from the ocean.

But before all of that, I woke up around 5:30 AM to notice that it was still dark out. I thought of Nicole and Jim in Maine, and the fact that I knew Jim was planning his proposal for this morning. I didn't know it would be this particular day, but I figured as much since I hadn't gotten the phone call yet, I knew he was planning on a sunrise, and tomorrow is their last full day up there. So when I woke up at 5:30 and noticed the darkness, I took my phone and held it in my hand before I went back to sleep, knowing that if Nicole called, I would wake up. I got up around 7, no phone call. But I only had to wait 24 more minutes until the funny picture of her showed up on my cell and she got to tell me she was engaged. What made it all the more hilarious were her first few words, "you've been scheming for months, you skank". She meant it with love, and it's true. Jim then got on the phone with me to thank me for my efforts in misleading my roommate, which I (of course) was more than happy to do. I love weddings.

Since nothing can ever go exactly according to plan (what would be the fun in that) I realized just before we took off towards Charleston that I am required to have four semesters of a foreign language in the same language for my graduate degree. While I understand the value of this requirement, I was planning on making good use of my Rosetta Stone for working on my Spanish. Having an extra class every semester I am at LBJ will be a major increase in coursework and it's most frustrating because of the surprise. Nowhere on the website is the requirement listed (that I could find) and this is the first I'm hearing of it- exactly 11 days before orientation. Needless to say, I was frustrated for the first hour of the drive but I'm feeling more relaxed now. I have to focus on studying for stat right now- one thing at a time.

The drive to Charleston (minus the strip malls in Myrtle Beach) was beautiful. The "low country" has a charm and peace about it that was enjoyable to drive through. No traffic, no honking, no cities, just country. Green country. The bridge that led us into Charleston was magnificent and the hotel is charming. Good southern hospitality has already made a difference in my blood pressure, since we were offered champagne even before we were offered our room keys.