My sisters and I recently had a reunion in Charleston, South Carolina in the United States. It was the first time we were in one place since the pandemic started. Charleston was new to us and was sort of “half way” for everyone so we decided to meet there and explore the city together.
I lucked out with the weather throughout this trip. My flights (which took place in between two snow storms) were on time including connections. While we were in Charleston, it was sunny or partly sunny with daytime high temperatures ranged from 23C to 27C (73F-81F).
We explored the beautiful Charleston Historic District on foot every day and took a side trip by car to John’s Island one afternoon. We also window shopped, savoured local cuisine and did near non-stop talking and laughing. Our reunion was joyful and I am grateful for the wonderful quality time we shared.
Here are my 7 favourite experiences in Charleston.
1. Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park offers 10 acres of scenic landscapes and water views, along with the beautiful Pineapple fountain that symbolizes hospitality. One length of the park is lined with palmetto trees and the other length is full of blooming pink, red and white azaleas. Within the park, big trees provide beautiful shades over benches and water fountains. On one of our strolls by the Charleston Harbour and Cooper River, we were delighted to spot playful dolphins jumping out of the water.
2. The Battery and White Point Garden
The Battery is a historic seawall and picturesque promenade that hugs the shores of the Charleston peninsula. On this walk, we oohed and aahed at the stunning views, charming homes and iconic buildings. We ‘recharged’ at White Point Garden where several Civil War relics and memorials commemorate the city’s role in the battle.
3. Rainbow Row and Historic Buildings
We took an architecture walk to explore gorgeous and historic homes and buildings in downtown Charleston.
4. Charleston City Market
Originally established in the 1790s, Charleston City Market features four blocks of historic buildings, artisan shops, traditional food vendors, and more. We enjoyed shopping and lunch here.
5. King Street
It was fun to wander on King Street and discover antique stores, art galleries, trendy restaurants, and stunning homes and buildings.
6. Southern Cuisine
Our favourite dinner was at Magnolias, a refined Southern eatery. We enjoyed several dishes and agreed the Shellfish over Grits was the best we’ve had.
7. The Angel Oak Tree
We drove to John’s Island to visit the majestic Angel Oak tree with its wide-spreading canopy and massive limbs resting on the ground.
Estimated to be between 300-400 years old, the tree towers 65 feet high and has a circumference of 25.5 feet. Its area of shade is 17,000 square feet and its largest limb has a circumference of 11.25 feet, and a length of 89 feet.
The Angel Oak is a Live Oak (scientific name Quercus Virginiana) that is a native species found throughout the Low country (Coastal Carolinas). Live Oaks only grow along the Eastern Coast. It is said to be the largest tree east of the Mississippi.
The naming of the tree was acquired from the tree’s previous owners, Martha and Justin Angel, who owned the property, which dates back to the early 1600-1700’s.
Preserve The Oak information board
Weekend Coffee Share
I’d love for you to share what’s been happening, simple joys from your week and/ or favourite public art photos from around the world in the comments or Weekend Coffee Share linkup #111 InLinkz below.
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Natalie the Explorer 
What a beautiful place, love the old buildings. As I await Spring in the U.K, that weather looks very appealing too!
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Thank you Helen for stopping by. Charleston Historic District is beautiful with many old and well-maintained buildings. I lucked out with the weather when I was there. It was warm with low humidity in early March.
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I am glad you were able to get together with your sisters. Charleston is a wonderful city. I love your photos.
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Thank you Dan. It was a wonderful reunion with my sisters. I’m pleased you love my photos. Charleston has many beautiful homes and buildings. I have a post to contribute to Thursday Doors next week.
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I look forward to that, Natalie.
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Hi Natalie – it looks like the perfect place for a girls’ catch up and getaway. But I bet it was even more special sharing it with your sisters after finally getting back together again after so long. Glad the weather was perfect and you got to see so many lovely sites.
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Hi Leanne, The main purpose of my trip was to see my sisters so I was happy that we all made it to the reunion safe and sound. It was a wonderful added bonus that Charleston is a lovely city to explore and the weather was perfect during our stay.
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The waterfront park looks like a lovely place to stroll through drinking a coffee. The rainbow row houses are pretty. Great coffee share, Natalie.
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Thanks, Shari. Charleston is a wonderful city.
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Considering flights in general these days and then add weather it’s amazing you got there! I’m so happy you got the visit with your sisters. Wondering where they all live that Charleston is halfway. Love the old heritage buildings. I suspect the picture doesn’t do the Angel tree justice. It just doesn’t look that big without something beside it.
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Bernie, As you know, winter travel is unpredictable. I took the risks as it was the week that we were all available. I’m very happy that we met and had a great time together. I included the dimensions of the Angel Oak tree from the information board as my cellphone pictures may not show how majestic it is.
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Even dimensions probably don’t do it justice.
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I’ve been to Charleston once and loved it. Your photos are wonderful. Thanks for reminding me why we need to visit there again.
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Thank you Ally for your compliment on my photos. Charleston is a wonderful city. I’m glad to hear you loved it, too.
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Thank you for the tour of Charleston, Natalie. The pics of the Angel Oak Tree are priceless. You really captured its grandeur. And lucky you, being able to sample that delicious southern cuisine!
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Diane, I was truly fortunate to complete this trip. Thank you for your lovely comments.
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We visited Charleston years ago and some of your photos look familiar… but it’s also obvious that we need to go back and see some of the things we missed. I’m glad you had a great time with your sisters in such a beautiful city.
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When I was in Charleston, I saw so many opportunities for walks, discoveries and photography. My sisters and I all enjoyed our visit very much.
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I’m so jealous! Charleston is a bucket list destination for me. I hope you had a great time.
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We had a fabulous time. At one point we ‘talked’ about how we’ve been talking non-stop, LOL. Visit Charleston, you’ll love it.
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What a fabulous trip! Such a beautiful place. The architecture in the historic buildings is amazing. Maybe one day, I’ll get there. So glad you were finally able to reconnect with your scattered family after the pandemic.
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Thank you, Michelle. It was a wonderful reunion with my sis in a beautiful city. I love the architecture in Charleston’s historic buildings.
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What a great place for all of you to meet. The pictures are wonderful!
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Thank you Darlene for your comment. I’m glad you liked my pictures. My sisters and I now have fond memories of Charleston.
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Such lovely photos! My husband and I visited Charleston several years ago and had a wonderful time… despite booking a trip for late July when the heat and humidity made it a bit tougher to explore. It sounds like you all had a lovely time together.
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I’m glad you also had a wonderful time in Charleston. I imagine the humidity is very high there in the summer months. We had a wonderful time and the weather was great in early March.
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What a beautiful place to visit and so many great pictures. I am highly unlikely to ever get there, so wonderful to visit through you. How nice to see your sisters all together too.
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I’m pleased you liked my Charleston pictures. I felt fortunate to reunite with my sisters after such a long time apart. Charleston Historic District is beautiful with many things to explore and discover. We all enjoyed our visit very much.
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Wonderful to be able to share this place with your sisters, Natalie. It looks beautiful and I couldn’t believe how long that waterfront is.
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Jo, I felt so happy to reunite with my sisters after such a long time apart. Charleston has a beautiful and long waterfront. My picture showed just part of it.
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🤗🩷
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Great photos! Charleston is such a charming city–glad you had such a good time. I really enjoyed City Market and the waterfront the most, as well as walking around some of the more historic areas. Thank you for sharing!
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Marsha, Thank you for your visit and comment. We had a fabulous time in Charleston. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed exploring the city, too.
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Hi Natalie this looks a lovely place for a relaxing getaway. Spending the weekend with your sisters would have been lovely. I love the angel oak tree and the pineapple fountain
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Hi Jennifer, I felt so happy to see my sisters and we had a fabulous time in Charleston. Glad you love the Angel oak tree and the pineapple fountain.
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Love Charleston. So much history beauty and incredible food. Your visit remi ds me I need to plan a visit there soon.
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Thank you Antoinette for stopping by. I agree with your comment.
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Love the tiled murals and of course the food!
Here is mine https://mywanderings.travel.blog/2023/03/16/tuloy-po-kayo/
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Teresa, Thank you for your PPAC contribution. Such colourful art to enjoy.
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Always a pleasure!
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Hi Natalie, here is an entry from my travel blog:
https://boomercoupletraveljournal.wordpress.com/2023/03/21/bgc-mural-walk/
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Teresa, Thank you for sharing a beautiful group of murals. You took great shots as some murals are quite big.
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So wonderful you got to meet your family. The pictures look wonderful. I have to add Charleston to the bucket list of places to visit. Here is my weekend coffee share. http://specialmomsblog.mom/2023/03/18/patience/
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Thank you for your comment and coffee share. Charleston is a wonderful city.
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A wonderful place, Natalie. Lovely buildings and it feels like it has a relaxed atmosphere. I’m in love with the tree, gorgeous.
Here is mine:
https://photographias.wordpress.com/2023/03/18/ppac-glasgow-30/
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Thank you Sofia for your comment and PPAC contribution. Charleston is lovely and the Angel oak tree is truly majestic.
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I’m glad you were able to catch up with your sisters! I’ve had a few gatherings with my siblings since the end of the pandemic, but no it hasn’t been possible for everyone. I lived in the Charleston area for about three months as I was job hunting after college (a sister lived there at the time) and have seen all of the places you photographed. It is a beautiful town.
Hope you have a great weekend!
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It’s not easy to have all siblings together as so many things can get in the way. To live in Charleston for about three months would be a nice chunk of time to explore the city. Thank you for sharing your story. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Yep, I get it, if you are in Toronto and Charleston is someplace in the middle, yikes, you must really be spread out! And International travel in the pandemic…
Have a great weekend!
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It’s been a few years since we were in Charleston, we should go again!
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Charleston is a nice place for a winter getaway.
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Hi, Natalie – It is so wonderful to travel again and to reconnect with family near and far. Charleston with your sisters looks wonderful. Thank you for sharing!
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Hi Donna, It was a fab reunion in a wonderful city. I was lucky to have no trouble with my flights that were sandwiched between two snow storms. Thank you for stopping by.
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Love the pictures, and there is something amazing about an old tree. Thanks for the share
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Thanks, Alex. That oak tree is truly amazing to see.
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Charleston is a beautiful, historical place! It’s been a few years since I visited.
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Several commenters also visited Charleston. Everyone seems to love the city. My sisters and I had wonderful time there.
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What a fun trip in the US. That tree is magnificent. #Weekendcoffeeshare
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Thank you Karen. We had a wonderful time in Charleston and that oak tree is truly special.
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This was a wonderful read Natalie! I loved seeing all the photos, but especially the lovely architecture. Those houses are gorgeous! Thank you for taking us on this trip. How lovely that you and your sister could meet, and have a great reunion after all this time.
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Thank you Maria for you comment. I had a joyful reunion with my sisters in a wonderful city. Charleston Historic District has many beautiful homes and buildings. I could wander and take photos for hours.
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That is really great!
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Hi Natalie,
I’ve not visited South Carolina, but have spent a good chunk of time in North Carolina, but I was working most of that time and did not get to explore the way that you did (and do). Nonetheless, I came away loving the people who befriended me in a way that was nothing less than therapeutic. When I was offered full time employment from two companies, one in California and the other in North Carolina, California won only by a hair. Had I been deciding just for me, I would have taken the job in NC and loved living there among some wonderful people.
Your post took me back – thank you.
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Gary, Thank you for sharing your story. The people I met in SC were also all friendly and helpful.
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It’s a beautiful place Natalie. I love the Rainbow Row Houses.
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Thank you Aletta for your visit and comment. Charleston is a wonderful city to visit. Charleston Historic District has many beautiful homes and buildings, including the Rainbow Row houses. I could wander and take photos for hours.
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I can imagine that.
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Charleston is such a great city. Thanks for sharing the best of it. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
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It’s a pleasure to share my trip to Charleston on the blog. Thank you for linking up and commenting. Have a great week ahead!
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Those houses from the 1800s are amazing. Just gorgeous. And the tree. Imagine all that it witnessed….
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There are many gorgeous homes and buildings in Charleston. Some are open for tours. That oak tree is truly amazing to see IRL.
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I’m so happy you had such a good time with your sisters. I think I’d enjoy Waterfront Park in particular.
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Thank you Astrid. I think you’d enjoy Waterfront Park too.
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I like the architecture and the old oak.
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So do I. Thank you for stopping by.
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Beautiful pictures! It looks like you had a great time! 😍
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Thank you Lina Belle. It was a joyful reunion in a beautiful city.
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Natalie,
I’ve visited your blog many times but have not left a comment. I have family in Charleston and visit often. My grandchildren attend school near Rainbow Row. Nevertheless, I have never visited Waterfront Park and will put it on the list for my next visit. Thanks for sharing. If you decide to return, I would suggest a day trip by boat to Ft. Sumter and a beach walk on Folly Beach. Stay warm up there! Joe
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Joe, Thank you for your comment and suggestions. How wonderful that you have family in Charleston. Waterfront Park is beautiful and some of the homes from Rainbow Row to the park are gorgeous. If you walk to the wharf near Waterfront park entrance, you may see dolphins there like we did. There are swings that I imagine your grands would enjoy. We saw Fort Sumter and the USS Yorktown in Charleston harbour but did not have enough time to visit. I put Ft. Sumter and Folly Beach on my list for the next visit.
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Hi Natalie!
I loved your post and I’ve been to Charleston about 10 years ago. Such a wonderful place and I visited most of the places you’ve shared. So beautiful there and fun!! I missed the link to the coffee share, I totally forgot about the time difference. Its been awhile since I’ve shared but I’ve had some tough times with family issues that it’s been hard to deal with. I’ve finally figured out that maybe sharing would be cathartic so I finally wrote my coffee share this weekend. Anyways, I’ve been reading along with your shares and others, just not commenting as it’s just been a tough year so far. I’m hoping and praying for healing and better times ahead. Take care! Diana
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Hi Diana, Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my post. I’ll be over to your blog shortly. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had some tough times with family issues. Life is full of ups and downs. Wishing you healing, peace and better times ahead.
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Excellent post Natalie! We used to live on Queen Street – smack dab in the middle of the area you described, and my morning walks were a joy. Thanks for bringing back so many great memories. ~Terri
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Thank you, Terri, for your compliment. How wonderful that you used to live on Queen St. That whole area (Queen St, Meeting St., Broad St., etc.) is beautiful for walks. I love looking at the historic buildings and read the plaques on the wall to learn more about them.
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Ooh, I’ve always thought I would like Charleston and from all you say, and your photos, I clearly would! Rainbow Row looks super and I love the sound of the market and of King Street. And it sounds like this is a good time of year to visit, weather-wise.
I have some public art from Colombia to share with you in a triple-dipping fest: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/a-wander-through-getsemani/
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Sarah, Thank you for your PPAC contribution. I’m delighted to see street art in Colombia. I think you’d enjoy Charleston very much. I could easily spend several more days there just to walk and photograph historic homes and buildings in the Charleston Historic District, and add more days to explore the surrounding area. There are information boards or plaques by historic buildings so it takes time to read and appreciate the history of the place. March is a good time to visit Charleston as the weather is warm and sunny with low humidity which is ideal for outdoor walks. In the summer months it would be too hot and humid to enjoy being outdoors.
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Oh dear, looks like I’ve just added another place to my ‘must visit one day’ list 😆 It never gets any shorter!
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I hope to continue ‘one in one out’ addition and check off on my ‘places to visit’ list for a long time 🙂
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Lovely photos, Natalie.
Love the water fountain, city market gallery and Angel Oak tree.
Thank you for the description of your tour.
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PTP, You’re welcome and thank you for your positive feedback. I’m pleased you liked my post and photos.
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👍👍👍
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Excellent Photos from Charleston South Carolina, looks like a very old and historical southern city.
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Thank you Shawn for your positive feedback. Charleston is a wonderful city to visit.
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Oh wow…what a beautiful trip…I love those colorful houses. It all looks great, and super fun trying the cuisine!
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Thanks, Kirstin. It was a joyful reunion in a wonderful city.
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Natalie, Charleston is one of my favorite cities and you visited it at the perfect time of year. How wonderful to have girl time with your sisters in such a picturesque and vibrant city.
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Suzanne, Charleston is one of my favourite US cities now. My sisters and I loved our time there. Thank you for stopping by.
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