Day 12
Mount Pleasant, NC:
I say goodbye to my friends in Sanford, NC and head for Mount Pleasant/Charleston, SC to see another friend. It’s great to have friends and family all over the place because there is a chance to visit places I’ve never been. At the age of 49 this 6 month solo road trip encompasses people, beautiful places and staying at interesting properties.
The dock leading through the Marsh.
When I lived in Massachusetts I was an Airbnb host. I never heard of it until a potential roommate told me about it. I tried it and realized what a wonderful way to meet people and earn money. The new owner of our family home stayed with me last Summer for their Anniversary. She and her husband loved the property so much, she bought it. Now that is a match-love story. I’m trying it from the other end as a guest. The only difference is that I want the whole space to myself instead of the B&B feel.
The Airbnb property in Mount Pleasant overlooks Charleston Harbor. The apartment is over the garage which is attached to the main house. The home feels like a waterfront home with numerous windows, levels and decks facing the marsh. The host has a boat and is going to take me for a ride around the harbor. I am looking forward to it, what a wonderful way to end the day.
I arrive close to 5pm. Sue is waiting for me. She shows me the well-appointed apartment. It has a cozy feel with lots of wood trim and comfortable furnishings. I drop off my belongings and we head to the boat which is about 150′ from the home. It’s a small motor boat about 17′ long. The marsh is a golden hue from the afternoon sun as we make our way through the winding tributary to the Charleston Harbor. Fishing trawlers are in for evening. It’s a peaceful feeling.
We pass a massive cargo ship carrying box containers. It looks as though it could tip over at any moment. I’ve never seen one up close.
Stacked cargo ship
We then head towards the Arthur Ravenel Bridge connecting Mount Pleasant to Charleston. It seems to be the same Cable design as The Leonard P. Zakin Bridge in Boston, designed by Swiss Bridge designer, Christian Menn. Interesting how similar they are.
We head back, as the sun slowly sets.
This bridge looks a lot like the bridge in Boston
Day 13:
Sullivan’s Island/Charleston, SC
I meet my friend Debbie at her house which is in a huge subdivision in Mount Pleasant. One definitely needs to have a good memory or a GPS to find one’s way through the maze of roads. I follow her to Sullivan’s Island and we walk along the grey sandy beach. It’s nice to be at the ocean in short sleeves in December.
I haven’t seen Deb for a while, I used to work for her and her husband as a Realtor. They sold the home up North and relocated here. To them this is paradise-it is nice.
After the beach we drive back to the Airbnb and drop off my car. Then we drive to the old downtown Charleston and walk around. What a quaint city with “The Painted Ladies of the South” as I refer to the colorful row houses. It’s a wonderful city to stroll down the narrow streets near the water park. The grand old homes and buildings have wonderful architectural details and lovely mature gardens. Horse drawn carriages slowly make their way through the streets carrying tourists. 
We walk into a shop and she buys me a glazed ceramic piece with the word Journey printed on it. What a nice gesture since I’m at the beginnings of my adventure. We walk around a little more enjoying the afternoon together. It’s getting late and Deb has to get back to her children. She drops me off, we hug and say goodbye. It’s really great to see her again.
That evening Sue the Airbnb host invites me over for dinner. They are having fish. My motto: I See food I just don’t eat it. Being the brave soul that I am, I don’t reveal my distaste and I manage to eat it. It’s actually tasty. Conversation flows as does the wine. We talk for hours. At 10pm I say goodnight. She gives me a hug and I head upstairs.
My first stay at an Airbnb and what a wonderful stay it is.
Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you!