Tee/Tea time

Today we went our separate ways. Mr. Snootypurse has a co-worker residing in South Carolina. They met for a round of golf at Charleston National Golf Club. Although play was slow the weather was perfect. Mr. Purse enjoyed getting out on the golf course for the first time in about six months.

Meanwhile, I plotted an adventure in the countryside for myself and my Aunt who drove up from Pawley's Island to spend the day with me. We started with a visit to the Angel Oak Tree. This 1500 year old Live Oak tree is over 6 stories tall and shades 17,000 square feet. It was too large for snapshots but an Internet search should bring up some pictures for you.

Our next stop was lunch at the Tomato Shed Cafe.This was Low Country cuisine prepared in a healthy way with lots of local vegetables. It was one of the best lunches on the trip. The metal chickens were sitting in front of the cafe and caught my eye but I resisted bringing one home.

We wrapped up the day with a tea time of our own at the Charleston Tea Plantation, America's only tea garden. We took the trolley tour of the grounds. One of the stops was the computer-monitored greenhouse pictured above. The computer takes care of the baby tea plants by opening and closing the blinds for light, watering them, humidifying the air, and cooling them if necessary with the black tubes running under the plants. The most interesting factoid we learned is that Argentina is the world's largest producer of tea. My Aunt and I shared a fun day and I'm grateful she drove up to help me escape the city.

We are reluctantly heading home tomorrow afternoon. They are predicting snow again. Ugh! We have the morning here so we may try to visit the Charleston Museum before heading to the airport.