New house New neighborhood . . . Missing Gem for now

My first full week in new house in Charleston, SC.  I'm babysitting Delilah (Gem would be jealous - she's still in Houston but has a plane ticket to fly here on 8/14) and D's doing a great job keeping me company in the mean time.  

This week was all about beginning to put some of the finishing touches on the "shanty" and planning for house guests.  I even did a bit of yard work as I inspected the grounds and am trying to learn the different plants, trees and shrubs that are in the yard.  I had the I'On welcoming committee (seriously) stop by to welcome me.  They brought a gift bag with a number of items including a directory and bumper sticker, which they assured me everyone gets one of, and showed me how to sign up for the online newsletter. 

One of the coolest things I discovered is a bit of the history of I'On Village which I'll have to blog about at another time when I have more of the story. 

I did begin to explore the neighborhood and learned there are a couple of trails that cover an 8 mile area. 

One of the sites along the trail is the Rookery Wildlife Refuge with two observation towers. 

 

 

With a beautiful view of the creek surrounding the property.

 

 

Then I met up with a customer one morning at one of the local favorite restaurants - this is southern cooking at it's finest, Page's Okra Grill, and they had one of the old fashioned joggling boards that I've never seen anywhere else but Charleston.  I learned on a house tour a couple of years ago that these were once used for courting; the couple would start by sitting on either end and if they liked each other they would eventually be joggled (bounced) toward the middle.

 

Then back to the I'On neighborhood, it has many gorgeous paths to walk

 

 

And encouragement to offer along the way

 

And even great shops to stop by, that are only a block from my house, which I happened to do one day and met the owner Melinda whose been here since I'On was first created. 

 

 The neighborhood and people have been charming, exactly what you'd expect and I really think I'm going to like living here.  Can't wait for Gem to arrive.