Before leaving Charleston today, I took a little trip over to Angel Oak Park on Johns Island and saw the massive Angel Oak.  It is a live oak and estimated to be between 300 to 400 years old.  The canopy of this tree is over 17,000 feet.  That's me in the picture with it, just to give you some perspective of the size of this tree!

This is the drive into the Angel Oak Park.  It looks like a painting, but is really a photograph!

 

Nearby was the Charleston Tea Plantation--where they grow the only domestic tea--American Classic Tea, which is my favorite brand.  It used to be available at the Cheese Shop in Stuarts Draft, but no longer.  I can only get it from my "supplier" in Charleston (thanks Donna Jean!) or when we travel to South Carolina.  I took a tour of the plantation.  It was quite interesting.  For all you tea-ophiles out there--all tea--green, oolong, and black teas--come from the same leaves.  The difference is in how long they allow oxidation of the leaves.

Then I hit the road again -- US 17 South!

I have arrived in Savannah!!

So now I'm deep in the ol' South!  The weather was absolutely beautiful.  I'm sorry that Karen is not here to enjoy this city in the sunshine--unlike our trip here last year when it rained every day!

I was thinking that I wouldn't be able to exercise much while on this trip.  Because of that, I've been trying to be diligent about not overeating while on the road.  I was deliberately planning NOT to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant, even though I totally enjoy her cooking (and accent!).  While strolling down Congress Street, I spotted her restaurant and noticed that there was no waiting line.  The next thing I knew I was over there asking if there was a wait.  The hostess told me that there was not.  Before my brain could engage, out of my mouth comes "Table for one, please" and they put the ticket in my hand!  It was too late.  I was in the restaurant, seated, and enjoying the dinner buffet before I knew was happening.  Oh well--I just had to roll with it--literally!  And they had just put out a fresh pan of hot macaroni and cheese!!  This was almost as good as playing the organ at the church in Charleston (just kidding!!)