Southern Soul Quest: Lounging in Charleston

I arrived in Charleston on my birthday. My plan was to stay with my cousin for two days. I ended up staying three or four days (thanks, Samantha!). Most of my time in Charleston was spent wandering, but I had BBQ and ice cream, enjoyed a cigar and some solitude, and I didn’t visit Fort Sumter. Charleston was the first place where I felt like I could live in a city.

The Lounge

The day after my birthday Samantha had to work. She left, warning me she’d probably quit that day. I spent a good portion of the morning being lazy. I ate leftovers from Fleet Landing (Shrimp and Grits!) I watched something on Netflix and I wrote in my journal for the first time in a few days. After some time passed, I figured it was time for activity.

I visited the gym first. The Planet Fitness Black Card came in handy during my trip, especially for showers. I didn’t go crazy at the gym, as I hoped to do some walking in the city. Afterward, I visited a King’s Leaf Cigar Lounge. I was nervous entering as I hadn’t been to a lounge alone. But the guy behind the counter was cool. I bought a small cigar and a delicious chocolate stout (I’d have a bourbon but needed to drive).

Next to me was this big black man. He was wicked nice, puffing on his own stogie and drinking a bourbon that must have been wonderful – at least he said it was. We chatted a bit. He was happily living in Charleston with his girlfriend. I felt ready to move there in that instant. When I didn’t interrupt him, this guy enjoyed 1980s football reruns with the intensity of one who has been on the field. He commented how so and so made the wrong move or when a ref threw an unnecessary flag (and when a flag should have been thrown). I wish I remembered this guy’s name.

My short time at the cigar lounge led to a walk in one of the city’s parks to journal some more. There’s something about a cigar! Sometimes it makes me very sociable and other times I seek out solitude to ponder things. What does a cigar do for you?

When Samantha returned, finding me on the couch with more Netflix, she told me she quit her job. We celebrated with Kilwins.

Recommendations:

Melvin’s BBQ

I’m on a quest to find the best Mac n Cheese. I’ve experienced a French adaptation that was surprisingly good. And there’s a restaurant in New York City with delicious Mac n Cheese. Melvins was right up there! Creamy and delicious. Plus their meats! Gotta get that brisket! Oh, even their pickles were yummy! I am NOT a pickle fan.

Kilwins

Samantha introduced me to this chocolate shop that offers so much more than just chocolate. Our first night, Samantha and her boyfriend got caramel apples. I picked out one of their many ice cream flavors. And I may have gone back two or three times more…

Joe Riley Waterfront Park

I liked the Pinapple Fountain in this park. Samantha brought me here for a little walk before my birthday dinner. And it was around the fountain that we met an Italian family. I took their photo for them. After, I practiced the only Italian I knew: “Io Sono un uomo” (I am a man). Unfortunately, the father had to correct me. When I asked where they were from, I mentioned our family’s heritage. It was amusing to hear that his wife hailed from the same area. On another day, I walked the park alone and spent some time journaling on a park bench and people-watched. I came up with an idea for a book or short story series. That’ll come later!

White Point Garden

This small park hosts monuments to the Confederacy and the start of the Civil War. Why? This is where the first shots were fired towards Fort Sumter, which you can see in the harbor. Beautiful big trees provide shade from the hot southern sun.

Thoughts

I didn’t end up visiting Fort Sumter. It briefly crossed my mind as I looked across the harbor and saw it staring back at me. The Fort almost whispered You don’t want to come over? And I replied I’ll visit with some friends. I enjoyed the breeze and the sun and my first afternoon in Charleston.

My parents are visiting Charleston soon. I would like to go down with them, especially for Melvins and Kilwins. But I just picked up a job and it’ll also be nice to have the house to myself. Next time I do visit, I’ll check out Fort Sumter, the Hunley (which I did try to visit), and the USS Yorktown.

Honestly, Charleston marked the point during my trip where I felt ready to head home. I had been traveling for about two weeks and I thought I had done enough. I still had more to see – Savannah, Atlanta, Nashville, Gettysburg, etc. – but I was ready to return home. I didn’t have much of anything waiting for me at home. I didn’t have work (self-employed). I didn’t have a girlfriend. I would simply be counting down the days until my next foray into the South with my friend, Dalton. Still, I wasn’t as excited to continue my journey and I wonder if that vibe carried any weight on my experiences in those cities that followed.