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Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

by Brian on December 1, 2010 in South Carolina

I’d have been disappointed if we didn’t encounter an alligator. After all, why take a canoe out into a swamp if not to meet its residents? Sure, the otherworldliness of paddling around giant cypress trees growing out of mirror silver water on a crystal clear day was certainly enough to make the excursion worthwhile. But the far-and-away highlight was spotting a partially submerged alligator just twenty feet off our port side.

He didn’t seem to mind us being there. He just sat, perfectly still, with his reptilian eyes hovering slightly above the water, possibly sizing us up. This wasn’t a zoo experience. We were inside the cage. We watched each other for a long while until we decided to make the first move. With a couple of paddle strokes we started to silently glide past our host, watching as he also slowly started off in the opposite direction, apparently deciding we weren’t worth the trouble.

(the full-sized picture is better, so click on me)

Fast and French

by Brian on November 29, 2010 in South Carolina

There are few things more oxymoronic than ‘fast and French’, especially when referring to food. But Gaulart & Maliclet Café in downtown Charleston delivers on its catch phrase, offering patrons terrific French inspired food in the blink of an eye. No doubt the French would consider such a place an abomination, but then, we never really cared for French service that leaves you to linger over empty plates hours after you’re ready to leave. No risk of that here. Turnover at the communal tables is quick and service is prompt. We enjoyed a fresh and fabulous lunch of zucchini-brie soup, melon, a toasted croissant topped with goat cheese and tomato, and a glass of wine (naturally) in about 20 minutes. Far superior to fast food. This is superior food, fast.

This Ain’t Napa

by Brian on November 26, 2010 in South Carolina

The chicken coop was the first clue we weren’t visiting a typical California winery. The second clue was the adjoining moonshine liquor distillery. And the third clue was that I had never heard of, or tasted, the grape they grow here.

The heat and humidity of the Carolina summers are too severe for the most common winemaking grape varietals, but the hardy muscadine thrives here and is the foundation of the region’s wine country. Most of the wine produced from this grape is of the sweet and semi-sweet varieties that I don’t usually care for. But Irvin House Vineyard is different in that they primarily produce dryer “table style” wines. The six wines we tasted were solid efforts for a winery that is just seven years old. And while this ain’t Napa, it ain’t bad either.

Beware of Church

by Brian on November 25, 2010 in South Carolina

We see these “Caution Church” road signs everywhere while driving around South Carolina. But I’m a little confused. Are they saying that churches here are prone to jump out in front of traffic? Are they warning us sinners not to get too close for fear of bursting into flames? Or are they just warning everyone to stay away from church altogether? Hard to tell, but I think I’ll keep my distance just to be safe.

Travelers Of The World UNITE!

by Brian on November 24, 2010 in Travel

In a show of solidarity with our compatriots, the beleaguered airline traveler, who are being subjected to invasive body scans by the thousands today, we are expressing our support by traveling completely naked. See ‘ya out there!