The Carolinas

Columbia, South Carolina the capitol of SC. It was a cute city, good size, not too big.

Finlay Park, was really pretty, this usually have water flowing down it but due to their drought the water was off. I also got several comments from a few guys in this park. One imparticular was like 40 feet away when he started shouting things and I only got further as I walked to the other side but he just kept right on making comments. I tried not to laugh or smile, but it was difficult.

Here is Robert Mill's house, it was also a boy's college back in the 1800's. Robert Mill designed the Washington Monument in D.C.

Then I went to see the Capitol Building. I saw these signs about the street names of downtown Columbia, I thought it was super interesting how the street names has such significance. (Read the signs)

The north of the capitol building.

It was super ornate and very beautiful inside, below is the lobby which was simple yet elegant.

Even the bathroom was decked out with gorgeous wallpaper and mirrors and marble countertops, so I of course took a picture.

My dream home will someday contain a library similar to this. This was the joint meeting room where Reps and Senators can hang out between sessions and/or discuss issues before meetings. I love the two-story and the spiral staircase to the second floor.

I leaned against the wall to take a picture of the House of Reps room and it squished. The wallpaper was actually fabric and the walls were padded with something. It felt more like leaning on a bed than a wall. Here is a pic of the wall fabric design.

Last in Columbia I went to see the temple of course. It is like Baton Rouge and really gorgeous.

Next to North Carolina.

Raleigh is the capitol seat and North Carolina's Capitol building was much smaller and more simple than other capitols I've seen but I liked that. Simple elegance is generally what I prefer.

This statue is for all the soldiers that died in the Civil War.

After the capitol and driving around downtown Raleigh I went to the Rose Garden. It is part of an outdoor theatre but it was BEAUTIFUL. It looked romantic and smelled romantic. The roses were so fragrant.

I love this little fountain in the center of the garden.

Now I'm sure this is probably a popular make-out spot, if you're into that sort of thing. It is just so romantic and would be perfect for walks but I'm not really into that stuff, ya know. I am into posing and taking pictures, so that is what I did. Accessories below.

The colors were so gorgeous!

There was this stone arbor in a semi circle at one end, totally romantic and perfect for picture taking. I really wish I had a tripod so I could have framed myself in this photo.

I propped up my camera on my wallet and got this shot.

Last I went to the temple which was southwest of Raleigh. This one, Columbia, SC, and Baton Rouge, LA all look exactly alike from the outside. But it is a gorgeous model so totally worth repeating.

So funny things today and with this trip. First in Columbia I saw a grocery store called Piggly Wiggly, no joke, totally for real. It made me laugh so hard and I almost stopped but I had too much else to see. Second, on my way to Raleigh I had to stop for gas and the attendant and I were talking while I purchased my new tire gauge. Me being on this road trip was discussed and so at the end as I was leaving he said, "have a good trip" and of course I said, "you too." I hate that that response is so automatic that people use it, like me, when it doesn't make sense. I wonder if he laughed at me, I would have. Finally being on this road trip and constantly 'on the road' I have had to use bathrooms of all sorts. Today I at the park I used one that was really icky! I have come to really appreciate establishments that clean and stock their bathrooms. In Atlanta at a gas station downtown I had to go and I walked in and good thing I checked for toilet paper because there wasn't any. So then I had to go ask the clerk, but he was behind this big glass window and helping another customer. He knew what I needed and pointed to the shelf with t.p. for sale but I didn't see it so I started getting closer to ask him quietly, totally feeling awkward about this situation. He pointed it out again very loudly and then emphasized only ONE roll. I don't know if he was worried I'd steal one or use more than a roll if I had more than one. Oh the joys of traveling. Tomorrow Duke University and then West Virginia.