Jacksonville, FL to Charleston,SC Day Trip

SPRING BREAK- JACKSONVILLE to CHARLESTON

For our Spring vacation, I felt I had to experience some place new which led us to the Holy City of Charleston, South Carolina for our next pitstop to explore.

CHARLESTON SIGHTS AND HISTORY- RAINBOW ROW

We were not in Charleston for long but me and my mini were determined to get some steps in to experience as much of the city as we could for the evening.

As a Jacksonville native, I grew up in a city that is so spread out with no functional form of public transportation, I very much appreciate a walkable and safe city and Charleston was just that. We observed beautiful coastal boardwalks and clean streets filled with beautiful architecture dating back from colonial to early 19th century styles. A prime example of this is Rainbow Row which is a series of 13 pastel-colored historic homes located on East Bay Street, just along the Battery. These houses built in 1740 are a great example of Charleston single houses which were inspired by English townhouses to utilize space . These townhouses often had a business on the bottom floor with living space above their shop. Rainbow Row now draws tourists from around the world and you will often spot brides and tourists having photoshoots for their pastel backdrop. It’s not quite known why these homes were painted pastel but some theories include: the bright colors helped guide drunken sailors back home, the light colors helped reduce heat absorption during the summer, or each color may have indicated what type of store was based in each building. Regardless, Rainbow Row is a beautiful example of Charleston history.

After visiting Rainbow Row, take a stroll to the Public Peer and admire the coastal views and marsh along Concord Street which will lead you to another fun photo spot, the Pineapple Fountain. This fountain also welcomes visitors to dip their toes in the water so be ready to take some fun pictures!

THE HOLY CITY- HISTORY AND HAUNTS

What has become somewhat of a tradition when visiting a new city, we like to take part in the local ghost tours as a fun way to learn the history and lore of the area.

Skeletons decorating the outside of a hotel and restaurant in Charleston.

We signed up for the a walking, nighttime ghost tour which started out in the courtyard of the Washington Square at 8PM. With little light and no one in sight, it set the mood for a spooky evening but I’d have to say I felt quite safe. We actually had several dressed officials walk through while we waited to meet our tour guide who approached us to welcome us to the city and ask how our visit was. They definitely exemplified Southern charm! Once our tour guide arrived, we learned he is a 16th generation Charlestonian and he provided us with a variety of stories both spooky and historical.

When going on a ghost tour, they tend to take you to specific locations to share the haunting claims and backstories as well as some historical info about death during past time periods.

HAUNTING LOCATIONS

For haunting locations, we visited the Mills House hotel and learned about an affluent doctor of the area known for helping the poor and investing in the community but also had a penchant for investing in the time of other women besides his wife. One day, his late night doctor visits were investigated by his wife which lead her to this hotel and resulted in her getting her revenge on her husband and his lover. Unfortunately, she followed him to the hotel but not to the correct room leading to the end of an innocent couple- or so the story goes.

HAUNTING HISTORY

As for some haunting history, I have learned that making sure someone was truly dead was both a real fear and concern for families and their loved ones. Many illnesses that haunted the past led individuals to appear dead only for their family to discover they were alive during burial or even sadly, after it was too late. This led to some interesting safety practices such as setting up a cord from coffin to the surface attached to a bell. This acted as a way for those buried as a result of coma, paralysis, or severe sickness who were still kicking after burial to be able to reach out to those on top-side and let them know there was a mistake. It’s a popular rumor during ghost tours that this is where the saying “Saved by the bell” originated.

GULLAH AND THE BOO HAG

My favorite part of the tour was learning about the lore and culture of the Gullah people who were descendants of enslaved Africans who keep their distinctive traditions alive in their language, food, and stories. Probably the most famous cryptic of South Carolina originated from the Gullah culture who believed in the Boo Hag who was like an energy vampire who haunted you once you made eye contact and drained you of energy as you slept. She’s known for being a skinless creature who leaves you feeling exhausted every morning until you can’t go on any more and she would wear your skin during the day if you put up a fight. There are beliefs that you can get the Boo Hag away from you by distracting her with things to count like grains of rice (OCD much?) or the bristles of a broom. It is my opinion that the Boo Hag may have been the inspiration for the creature from the psychological thriller, Smile (2022).

Boo Hag can be kept away with Haint Blue paint inspired by the difficulty of farming indigo for making dye.

Along with the tour, we learned some local gossip and modern advancements like their solar paneled trash cans that help keep the city clean and turn up profits which actually help reduce local property taxes. I can’t encourage ghost tours more. They are the most fun ways to learn about history and support local.

If you’ve been on a ghost tour, how was your experience?

Burnt Glassworks- Glass Blowing in Jax, FL

Ever wanted to learn to blow glass? I discovered you can learn the art of glass blowing right here in Jacksonville, FL and recently took a class at Burnt Glassworks. Read on to learn more about my experience at Burnt Glassworks, and what it is like taking a glass blowing class.

The Art of Glass Blowing

Glass blowing has been high on my bucket list for years. I was always fascinated by the colors and shapes that could be formed from dust to glass. When I got my first job working as a security guard for an art museum in my teens, I would admire the glass sculptures by the famed glass blower, Chihuly, that sat in our gift shop and vowed to save up enough money to buy one.

When looking for a college nearby, there was one university that offered glass blowing glasses, but it was not the best option financially, so I had to pass it up. Now as an adult, I still admire Chihuly’s work and even got to see some of his famous installations in Las Vegas at the Bellagio hotel.

glass sculptures in las vegas — Chihuly 2019 Las Vegas

Burnt Glassworks Review and Experience

Fast forward to now and I’m still drawn to the art, and I was finally able take my first glass blowing class right her in Jacksonville, FL at Burnt Glassworks.

This local studio offers a wide range of classes that focus on making one individual item for you to be able to take home with you. These could include glass orb ornaments, hearts, flowers, starfish, or a wine glass.

Most classes range from $40-67 per person and last anywhere from 10 min to 45 min in length depending on difficulty. It includes one-on-one instruction form a glass professional to ensure you go home with what you create in the studio.

You can also take a couple’s class which makes for a fun date night. If you’re feeling especially inspired, Burntglass now offers glass blowing workshops to become a true master of the glass art!

It Starts with Sand

When you sign up for your class, the first step when you walk in the studio is selecting your sand. These sands are made up of different minerals that offer a wide selection of colors in every hue you can think of.

My buddy and I made stemless wine glasses to celebrate my birthday, and my feminine side was drawn to a combination of pink and white sand that reminded me of Valentine’s Day while my friend chose a lovely purple hyacinth.

Our instructor was very fun and detailed in his instructions making it easy to follow without fear of burning ourselves in the process.

We also got the option of making a traditional wine glass or using one of their molds to add “pineapple-like” texture to our creation. With repeated movements from in and out of the kiln to balancing the rods on bases to roll and blow our melted glass into full-blown wine glasses, it was a fun and exhilarating process to take part in.

One-on-One Glass Blowing Instruction

Our instructor provided individual instruction by reading the needs of the glass as is formed right in front of us. The process can be a delicate one requiring varying levels of force when blowing or pressure when shaping for the correct results.

I had a miscalculation when it came time to tap, and even when I messed up, my instructor was able to salvage my piece into something I love to look upon.

In fact, I love to look for the mistake I made on my glass whenever I use it because it reminds me that even mistakes can lead to something beautiful.

See my video below of my creation from Burnt Glassworks:

Check out their website and facebook for upcoming events!

Fun Things to Do In Jax- Check Out a Show at The Florida Theater

If you live in Jacksonville, FL, you know our downtown are is…well…lacking, but if there is one place worth visiting- it’s the Florida Theater . Located at the corner of Forsyth St and Newman, St stands what was the largest theatre in the State of Florida when it first opened in 1927 and now acts as a nonprofit arts center with old-world charm.

A HISTORY

Along with the charm, The Florida Theater brings some historical notoriety. In 1956, it’s believed Elvis Presley himself performed on stage with his infamous gyrating hips which led to public concern from city officials and congregations around the country. This didn’t effect tickets sales as the theater sold out every one of his shows.

Now in the present, the Florida Theatre’s mission is “To enhance the quality of life in North Florida by providing diverse and memorable arts and entertainment experiences and by maintaining a unique historic Jacksonville landmark.” It is also one of only three theaters in Florida left from the 1920’s with the same elaborate and vintage theater aesthetic.

A here’s just one example of the memories that can be made when you visit the Florida Theatre. My mother grew up in the 60’s with artists like The Turtles, The Cowsills, The Little Anthony, and The Vogues,and playing their music on the airwaves

I wanted to surprise her with tickets to the Happy Together Tour to relive those childhood memories. She was so excited, she went and bought a new dress for the date. It was not until we were in front of the theater that I noticed what my mom was wearing. She called it her “palm-tree dress” and I had to explain to my very innocent mother that those were not palm trees.

Happy Together Tour

Beyond Monet The Immersive Experience

Beyond Monet, the fully immersive art exhibit featuring the works of Claude Monet, will take you on a whimsical stroll through the artist’s life where the artist’s life’s works comes alive around you in a story of brush strokes and paint splatters.

This new style of installation was created by the Paquin Entertainment Group, and prior exhibits include Van Gogh and King Tut which I heard were amazing as well. They create the magic by projecting images on smooth walls and columns with a soundtrack to match the mood and moving elements of the paintings. If you want to get your culture on but find it hard to embrace the quiet focus required for reading a book or plaque, this may be a fun way for you to learn more about art.

Here’s what to expect at Beyond Monet:

Starting off in the lobby, the mood is set with a dark entrance with the only light coming from large lit displays of several of Monet’s painting to exclaim you are in the right place while also serving as a perfect photo drop. Next room holds a small bar to splurge on a cocktail. I got the themed drink, Th Water Lilly Harmony, which came in, what we called, souvenir “adult sippy cups” to prevent those inevitable spills that occur regardless of age.

Speaking of accidents, the security guard made it very clear before we enter to fight the urge of leaning on the walls because they are in fact sheets that will result in altering the show for everyone and most likely an embarrassing tumble.

Once inside the exhibit, they do a good job making you feel like your walking into a painting with large frames to pass through, sheets of translucent colors to guide your way, and even a bridge to cross as you read how Monet’s gentle appearing Impressionism was actually considered a form of artistic rebellion in a time when carefully planned perfection was considered the rule.

The main room is where the magic starts. Imagjne a large auditorium with walls that smoothly transition from painted seas to busy railways to lush gardens. The floor ripples with colors and a light melody plays as paintings come to life- sometimes brush stroke by brush stroke. There are a few small benches lined around the room to sit and admire but I preferred sitting in the middle among friends to and watch the history unfold.

Finally, after you’re through, you can move on to the lounge where you can grab a bite to eat or cocktail while you share your experience among one another. An element I appreciated about this lounge was their thoughtfully designed kids area complete with child sized furniture and their own Monet coloring pages.

My experience was had with a great group of friends and I look forward to including my daughter soon for a fun way to introduce her the world of art history

Beyond Monet- Find it in a City Near You

That Nerdy Mom

Mom+Nerd+Artist

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