Cheez-Its and champagne

Life is one beautiful trip

I woke up this morning in Charleston. There is nowhere else I would rather live. 

As I sit here sipping champagne and sharing Cheez-Its with the dogs, I reflect on what a blessed and perfect life I have. Griffin is asleep on the sofa. I've just dropped off my friend, Pam, at the airport.  She flew in from Baltimore for my birthday. I loved playing tour guide and am afraid I exhausted the poor girl. 

Pam and I continued our Edgar Allen Poe Pilgrimage, which began in Baltimore on her birthday two years ago. In Baltimore, we visited the Poe house and his two resting places in Westminster Burying Grounds. We then celebrated her birthday at the Annabel Lee Tavern in Canton.

Poe spent time here from 1827–1828 as an Army Private, when he was stationed at Ft. Moultrie on Sullivan's Island, under the name of Edgar A. Perry. The Charleston County Public Library has opened a branch in a former Ft. Moultrie battery. Pam and I visited the eponymous Edgar Allan Poe Library and found that the staff was still cleaning up the flood damage resulting from last month's Hurricane Joaquin. 

Taken shortly before Pam was abducted by aliens

To toast our literary inspiration, we had lunch and cocktails at the Poe Tavern, conveniently located within staggering distance. I must say, I was much more taken with the aesthetics of the tavern than those of the library.

A sidewalk ode to The Goldbug, written by Poe and based on Sullivan's Island

The Poe theme continues on into the most interesting public restroom I have ever visited. Not only was the decor All Poe, the voice of Vincent Price could be heard over hidden speakers, narrating The Goldbug.

My first (and only) bathroom selfie, and someone walks in, of course

Continuing the macabre theme, I dragged Pam on a ghost walk of downtown Charleston.

A little fortification before encountering the ghosts of Charleston on a chilly night.
A Cosmo for Pam and a WhistlePig rye for me.

The graveyard at the Unitarian Church off King Street

Even more Poe intrigue. Located in the Unitarian Church graveyard, is the final resting place of Anna Ravenel. She captured the heart of a young Edgar Allan Poe. Their love was not be be, though. At the age of 14, and already betrothed to another man, her family forbade the liaison with Poe. It is thought that Anna's father, had Poe transferred away from Ft. Moultrie to another post. Soon after, Anna succumbed to fever and a grieving Poe returned for her funeral, only to be turned away by Anna's father. So consumed with the desire to keep Anna and Edgar apart, Ravenel purchased, and had dug, six plots in the graveyard, so that Edgar would never know which one held the remains of his beloved. Separated in death as in life.

The tombstone of Anna Ravenel, muse for the poem Annabel Lee

I made it through the weekend without getting ticketed, booted, or towed. Quite the accomplishment in downtown Charleston. And now I continue celebrating my birthday weekend, by doing as little as possible.

Today's tune
A talented, sentimental friend made this for my birthday.
Another Day

Today's Gratitude
a great and flexible spine
books
house slippers
Griffin, always

Rockabillaque

Life is one beautiful trip

Rock and roll, barbecue, and beards. Got myself all dolled up and attended the 3rd annual Rockabillaque in the Park Circle section of North Charleston. Vintage cars, mustache and beard contest, Pin Up contest, and more. And bands all day everywhere.

Today's tune

Drinking Gasoline – The Baboons

Today's Gratitude
complete strangers
sunny days
Griffin, always