Only Spent $189
Friday, July 3, 2026
This morning, I wake up, write the article (After I Dared to Believe), and now I'm gonna hit the road.
A little wheel time.
It's much needed and well-deserved.
My life has been so crazy.
I'm just saying.
Where am I going?
I'm not totally sure.
Charleston maybe?
Edisto Beach?
Who knows?
Who cares.
You'll have to read along to find out.
I have my cot set up in the back of my car.
I got a full tank of gas.
A cooler.
A few snacks.
And no plans.
Where the Road Led Me
Sunday, July 5th
Here's how it happened.
I ran away.
What was I running from?
Nothing.
Everything.
When I started out, it was hot. The sun was piercing down, the AC was on, and the windows were up.
I headed down Highway 385 to I-26, toward the coastline.
A song reminds me of the past.
A few years ago, I was writing my book, and I nearly changed the title after watching the movie Begin Again.
It's a great movie.
It's a great song.
The hit song is Lost Stars by Adam Levine.
The movie title describes me perfectly.
That's what I've done.
I've run into all kinds of trouble to begin again...
From scratch.
I also like the line from the song:
"Are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?"
Sometimes this is how I feel.
I'm a star.
I'm bright.
And I'm trying to light up the world around me.
Other times I'm dark.
I have nothing to offer.
I'm lost.
But not today.
Today, with my hands on the wheel, I feel free.
Like I'm beginning again.
It was a good day.
I made it all the way to Edisto Beach.
If you know the drive, it's beautiful.
The little roads going onto the island have those trees hanging over the street, and the open marshlands and views are around every turn.
I like it very much.
As I arrive, The Tree greets me.
It's decked out for the Fourth of July.
I've been coming here for over thirty years, and this "bush" of a tree has always been iconic.
It's fun.
(I wish I'd gotten a picture—oh well, next time.)
Decorated with bras and panties...
Beer and wine bottles...
Welcoming you onto the island.
I'm so surprised, though.
The island hasn't changed much.
It's NOT like most places in this state that have been taken over by the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
The water is calm and wonderfully peaceful.
It's a great place for fishing and shrimping...
And for finding seashells and shark teeth.
I walk three miles on the beach, then sit my chair in the shallow water for a couple of hours.
Then I go to the historic bar, Whaley's, for their banging-good Sushi Nachos and a salmon patty.
I finish the day making the one-hour drive to Summerville.
It's the Cracker Barrel parking lot where I catch a few Zzz's.
(FYI, the greatest thing about a hybrid might just be that you can sleep in the back all night on about a gallon of gas.)
Day Two
I roll off the cot, brush my teeth, and take a baby wipe bath.
No time for my normal shower at the Pilot.
I've got things to do and places to see.
I grab a cup of coffee and an omelet at Waffle House and hit the road.
First stop...
Cypress Gardens.
I came here with my mother many years ago.
She's definitely been on my mind.
It's a beautiful place.
I feel nostalgic.
It was better than I remembered.
It's big.
It's really amazing.
I couldn't take enough pictures.
You can go for the little boats or hit the trails.
I choose to walk.
FYI, to all my Myositis friends...
The trails are somewhat manual wheelchair friendly.
If you have an electric wheelchair...
You're rolling.
Remember your water...
And bug spray!
Mom would have loved it.
I wish she was here.
Last Stop
When you're this close to downtown Charleston...
You can't—not go to the boardwalk.
Right?
I drive past...
And then straight to Leon's Fine Poultry & Oysters.
That's a must.
It's one of my go-to's.
It's damn yummy.
I normally go for the oysters, but I've always heard about the chicken...
It didn't disappoint.
I went with the two-piece dark, a Crab & Avocado Tostada, and the Black-Eyed Pea Salad.
And lastly...
To go...
The old-school famous scalloped potatoes.
I left with a smile...
And a cheesy snack for later.
It was a much-needed break.
I decided to head home early, get some rest, write this article, and get ready for work on Monday.
Short and sweet.
