Arrival and First Impressions Our adventure began on a sunny Saturday morning when we left Atlanta, eagerly setting off on our road trip to Beaufort. A quick pit stop for lunch at a Dairy Queen near Augusta, Georgia, provided us with sustenance before we reached our destination. Although the food was nothing to write home about, the exceptional service left us pleasantly surprised and in high spirits.

Upon arrival at our cozy Airbnb, we were greeted with an absolute gem of a rental. The vibrant decor and comfortable bedrooms made us feel right at home. Plus, the best part? We could bring along our furry family member, Kenzie, and let her frolic in the lovely yard. And the cherry on top? The affordable price made it an absolute steal!

A Memorable Father’s Day Our trip coincided with Father’s Day, and amazing Mama, and our adorable son, Rowan, made sure to shower me with love and surprises. The day began with heartfelt gifts, a beautifully crafted handmade card, and a morning feast of sweet treats. I was granted the luxury of sleeping in and indulging in some much-needed video game time, while Mama and Rowan embarked on their own adventure, exploring a nearby park.

In the afternoon, we headed to a local burger joint called Beedo’s, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The food was delicious, but what truly stood out was the exceptional service. When the staff noticed Rowan feeling a bit down, they went above and beyond to bring him a free ice cream sundae with sprinkles. Talk about spreading the joy! We wrapped up the day with a visit to the beach, immersing ourselves in the golden hues of the evening sun and relishing the calming ocean waves.

Unexpected Twists and Delicious Discoveries As luck would have it, Monday brought unexpected rain, disrupting our plans. However, Mama’s intuition proved invaluable as she encouraged me to seek medical attention for the persistent pain in my heel. To our astonishment, the cause of the discomfort turned out to be a quarter-inch shard of a plate lodged in my foot. Ouch indeed!

Despite the hiccup, we didn’t let it dampen our spirits. We headed to a local pizza joint that reminded me of the pizzas from my hometown—a taste of nostalgia. To make up for the rainy day, we decided to embrace the beach once again, soaking in the enchanting sunset and creating timeless memories.

A Day Trip to Charleston With inclement weather forecasted once more, we decided to seize the opportunity and take a day trip to nearby Charleston, South Carolina. Our first stop was Rodney Scott’s, a barbecue joint known for its mouthwatering flavors and the nation’s most notable “whole hog” bbq. From the delectable mac and cheese that won my heart to the tantalizing baked beans adored by Mama and the irresistible cornbread that made Rowan’s day, every bite was a taste of Southern heaven.

Energized and ready for more exploration, we ventured to the children’s museum, where Rowan’s face lit up with excitement. Watching him learn, play, and giggle was an absolute delight. A leisurely stroll along the pier allowed Mama to appreciate the stunning local architecture while Rowan and I bonded over a lively session at a nearby playground. Before bidding adieu to Charleston, we indulged our sweet tooth at the Southern Candy Kitchen, savoring an assortment of treats that would bring smiles to our faces later.

Days of Sun, Sand, and Culinary Delights Wednesday and Thursday were dedicated to embracing the beach life in Beaufort. Setting up our canopy on Wednesday, Mama and I found ourselves in a shaded oasis, where we could unwind and relax while Rowan joyfully splashed in the waves and attempted sandcastles. On Thursday, although the wind prevented us from using the canopy, we made the most of the cloudy skies and played in the “little ocean” pool, allowing the gentle waves to tickle our toes as we searched for seashells in the sand.

To satiate our hunger after a day of beachside fun, we discovered a local favorite called Dockside. The crispy fish and chips were Daddy’s go-to, while Mama indulged in the succulent Alaskan king crab that left her craving for more. The flavors were so irresistible that we couldn’t resist returning for seconds—talk about a culinary delight that kept us coming back for more!

Fond Farewell and Homeward Bound As the final days of our incredible journey approached, we reluctantly prepared for our departure on Friday. Looking back on the memories we had created, we couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude. Beaufort had given us a week filled with laughter, adventure, and the joy of spending quality time as a family. With hearts full of cherished moments, we bid a fond farewell to this enchanting city, knowing that the memories we made would stay with us forever.

Our trip to Beaufort, South Carolina, was truly a whirlwind of excitement and relaxation. From the warm welcome of our Airbnb to the unexpected twists, culinary discoveries, and sunny beach days, every experience was a treasure to behold. It was a week filled with love, laughter, and the beauty of exploring some of our favorite places with the ones we hold dear. Our family getaway will forever be etched in our hearts as a testament to the magic of adventure and the joy of togetherness.

“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”

So, here it is! Our first post on our new family blog. Comin with some amazing photos of the young lord and the sea on our latest excursion to the Atlantic ocean!

We definitely could have used a couple extra days – especially since John came down with COVID for the first time ever the day after we returned home! We should’ve stayed a few more days!!!!!!

But ultimately we had a great trip and had a little bit of a break before Amy started her new role as Director for ABM. You go, Boss Mama!!

Recently, we had made several trips to Beaufort, SC. And, to be fair, we are still quite fond of it! It’s got the rustic charm of a Savannah or Charleston without nearly the amount of people. And it’s got great beaches at Hunter beach. We have also been so many other places along the gulf and south east Atlantic coastline. Amy was born and raised going to Savannah and Tybee Island. We spent many summers visiting Pensacola and Orange Beach portions of the panhandle – and even one year had made our way to Myrtle Beach. Though we found that a bit too commercial. We wanted to check out someplace new!

So we made our way to St. Augustine, Florida! Woohoo! A new beach – the Atlantic side of Florida. And honestly not that much further away than many of the other beaches we regularly visit. Our search for a place to stay was on! Oh, and yeah – can we not keep doing last minute bookings?! Now, lets see the temporary digs…

Check it out! Talk about an AirBNB find?! Wait – why are there canons on our house? Oh no. My bad. This was actually the historic Castillo de San Marcos on the Matanzas river. Look – Amy and Rowan enjoyed exploring and learning about the history of this defensive juggernaut together. In fact, Rowan was able to help finish (no, seriously – he helped!) a little quiz that allowed him to get a Jr. Park Ranger badge and certificate! Nice job, Rowan! He answered questions about the color of the soldier’s uniforms and even helped identify what the fort looked like from above (a turtle!). We had fun visiting this mighty fort – but goodness gracious it was hot that day!

But let’s be real. A vacation to the beach is about the beach, right? So let’s get to some fun beach pictures!

We had a lot of fun on this short getaway. It was good to see somewhere new and experience new things as a family! We are always so thrilled to see Rowan’s excitement as he explores new things. There’s nothing more motivating than his exuberance for life! Lets finish this little journey into our St. Augustine trip with a video reel of some of our captured videos during our time in Florida. Don’t worry, Rowan – it’s totally okay to be materialistic at the age of 2!