The Hostess with the Mostest!

 Now we come to the part of our vacation that the other parts were planned around.  My dear friend Jenny (also known as Jenny the Pirate) has been a blog friend for years.  We were talking and trying to figure out how long we've known each other and it's been at least since 2009 and probably longer. We've met in person once, but e-mail, text and sometimes talk on the phone too.  Bob's gotten to know her and even my granddaughters know who Jenny the Pirate is.  :)
We've both invited each other to visit, but it's not easy with the distance; she is in South Carolina and I'm in Michigan. We decided this was the time for that visit and she insisted we stay with them.
Late Monday afternoon we arrived and were warmly welcomed!

It was fun to go into her house and see in real life, things I've seen on her blog so often - like her table filled with photos under glass.

TG and Jenny were so very good to us, putting us up in a room that rivaled any hotel or bed and breakfast.  It was beautiful and so very comfortable. I would share a photo, but it's not my home to share pictures of bedrooms, so you'll have to take my word for it.

We had a yummy supper, I'll share some recipes later, and a great night of talking and fellowship with the two of them.

The next day, Jenny had made some plans for us.

It was D-Day, so we started at Fort Jackson National Cemetery to pay our respects.  Is there anything more touching than a cemetery with all those stones laid out so perfectly, and the flag at half mast?

Jenny is officially a taphophile; someone who is passionate about cemeteries.  Jenny writes for a cemetery magazine, takes lots of cemetery photos and helps update the Find-a grave website.  Some may think this is morbid, but it's far from it.  It is so interesting to walk around these places, reading the headstone, looking at the statuary and honoring those who have passed. Bob and I also love old cemeteries, but in our area they don't have this kind of history.
TG and Jenny took us to the Quaker cemetery which was founded in 1759.  It now covers an area of 400 acres, and is truly beautiful.

These two graves were both military graves and were medal of honor recipients.  Another grave site we saw was for 3 brothers, who were all killed in WWII, within 1 1/2 years.

This section had such old stones in it, several of which were for young children.

We also visited a Redoubt; a military shelter which was built by the British during the Revolutionary war.

This is called the Camden Oak. It's near that British Redoubt and it was a sapling, when George Washington was in this area, inspecting that redoubt.

We visited this battlefield, a battle that occurred during the Revolutionary War. 

We then went into the city of Columbia.  This is the Trinity Episcopal Church. Building on it started in 1845.

It also has a historic cemetery. The live oak tree in it, is said to be in the very center of Columbia.

Here's Jenny and I; we were hot but having such a good time!

We walked across the street to the Capitol Building, a beautiful building with such pretty landscaping.

That night, Jenny had another lovely meal for us - and her kids and grandkids that live in the area came.  I forgot to take this picture until after we had eaten, but rest assured, Jenny set a beautiful table and we all enjoyed it.  It was so good to meet these kids and grandkids in person as I feel I know them so well already. 

Little Rhett is the youngest right now, but before the year is done, 2 more babies are expected in the family.

After supper, we sat out by the pool and talked.  It was a wonderful evening, spending time with these dear people.

The next morning, we left for West Virginia, feeling blessed by good friends and sweet time spent together.
Thanks Jenny and TG for being such amazing hosts and wonderful friends!