You know how sometimes you enter a store, and you just want to live there? That’s how I felt about Lowcountry Produce, the market and cafe we visited while in Beaufort. To me, everything about this place was just perfect. To start with, the interior design decisions were spot on, including but not limited to the beautiful green trim, the pendant lights, the black Tolix stools, the soaring ceiling, and the marbled white and gray subway tile.

Then, of course, there’s what they actually sell: fresh produce (naturally), delicious-sounding local and organic goods, and the most perfect selection of entertaining accoutrements. And by perfect selection, I mean it was like someone got in my head and chose exactly the cocktail napkins and serving pieces I would have chosen for myself if I was having an exceptionally good day of aesthetic judgement.

Lowcountry Produce is also a cafe, and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast of homemade donuts and fresh-squeezed orange juice with the sun pouring in those tall windows. John pretty much had to pry me off my stool when it was time to leave.

If you’re in Beaufort, SC, or Lobeco, SC, I would highly recommend a visit to Lowcountry Produce!

P.S. While in Beaufort, we also ate at Wren and Panini’s, and enjoyed both!

Whew, it is hot, hot, hot here in NC all of a sudden! The soaring temps outside make me even happier to revisit about our last destination in Beaufort, SC: Hunting Island!

Hunting Island is one of the most popular state parks in South Carolina, attracting more than one million visitors a year. Thankfully, it didn’t seem that crowded at all when we visited! Our first stop was at the Marshwalk, a boardwalk that extends across the tidal flats, through a few tiny islands, and out onto a platform perfect for viewing marsh wildlife. We saw egrets, some sort of gecko, and tons of fiddler crabs on our walk, but alas, no dolphins!

The Marshwalk is less than a mile long, so it was a quick out and back. Our second and final destination on Hunting Island was the beach and lighthouse area. There is a $5 per person fee to enter this part of the park, but both John and I would say it was well worth the price. As we drove past the gate house, we both agreed it felt like we were entering Jurassic Park – so lush, green, and tropical!

This might sound strange, but we were both a little bit obsessed with the parking lot! It’s hard to describe, but instead of being one large area, it twisted and turned between the trees, and each spot felt like it was tucked away.

Once we finished oohing over our parking space, we took another boardwalk out to the beach.

Turning left, we walked along the water’s edge until we got to an entirely new section of beach, which looked like this:

Children’s book lover that I am, my immediate thought was that it reminded me of the post-hurricane illustrations in Robert McCloskey’s Time of Wonder. Anyone else?? Here’s a visual aid for those who aren’t familiar with this masterpiece:

I’m not sure what causes all of the downed trees and driftwood, but we had fun exploring.

Next up: the Beaufort shop with which I completely fell in love. Sigh…

All photos personal

I’m going to take a short break from my South Carolina trip recaps to bring you my May goals! I didn’t post any April goals this year, though I did manage to make progress on several 101 in 1001 projects last month, so that’s something :)

Once Wed

So: May goals. I’ll be traveling for a full week this month, so I’m keeping things simple!

— Design and print address labels for the Em for Marvelous shop
— Research local Parks & Rec dance classes to hopefully kick off no. 86!
— Read my thesis again :)
— Buy a straw tumbler. Thank you all again for the recommendations!

You can see all of my 101 in 1001 goals right here!

After stopping at the Old Sheldon Church Ruins, it was on to Beaufort, proper! Our first agenda item was to check into our accommodations, the City Loft Hotel. CLH is a boutique hotel in Beaufort’s historic district. John found it on Trip Advisor, and I’m so glad he did!

The hotel is really neat on the outside – it’s an old-school motel-type place that’s been completely remodeled, but they kept intact some of the more charming features. I loved the sun umbrellas, louvered shutters, and breezy curtains!

The inside furnishings, too, are modern, both in style and features. We loved the slick tub, awesome shower, and iPod lamp!

One of our favorite features of the City Loft Hotel was the cruiser bikes provided for guest use, free of charge! We happily took them for a spin, making our way through the beautiful historic neighborhoods surrounding the hotel and downtown area.

I would highly recommend a trip to Beaufort, SC, and if you do go, the City Loft Hotel, too! Up next: where we ate!

All photos by moi