Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2023

55 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. ShemCreekRes taurant s . com would occasionally meet up with us when feasible. There were additional trips that occurred during warmer months, such as when I joined my mom and Steve on two pilgrimage walks organized by her church, Grace Episcopal: one along a 70-mile stretch of the Camino de Santiago trail in western Spain, and another called The Pilgrims’ Way in England, during which our group navigated part of a pilgrimage route that leads to Canterbury and its historic Canterbury Cathedral (the one that guy Chaucer wrote about in his tales). Each journey provided invaluable opportunities for mother/son bonding that I will always cherish. The point is, our family is a bunch of globe trekkers, and my mom played a key role in the stamps I’ve been fortunate enough to collect on my passport. Without her, it wouldn’t have been possible. She always viewed these trips as an advance on my inheritance, and I wouldn’t want it any other way because we’ve created so many priceless memories. So when she invited me to tag along in her quest for state number 50, it offered the chance to create yet another lasting memory. THE FINAL PIECE OF THE STATE PUZZLE And just what was that last state my mom needed to accomplish this significant feat you may ask? Somewhere exotic like Hawaii? Been there, done that. Up in the majestic, pristine wilderness of Alaska, where the moose and grizzlies roam? Already checked off. Nope, the state my mom was missing was none other than North Dakota. Not exactly a tourist mecca, mind you (no offense if you’re from North Dakota but there isn’t much to do there—we checked). When Americans rank their top domestic vacation hotspots, North Dakota isn’t typically first, second or even 25th on their wish list. But North Dakota does border some interesting places. So, rather than flying into Fargo, briefly touching North Dakota soil and jetting right back to Charleston, my mom—the planner—decided to make a week-long trip that took advantage of North Dakota’s proximity to other scenic spaces and attractions. She created an itinerary worthy of a travel agency, packing our days full of destinations including Wind Cave National Park, Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower National Monument and Custer State Park. In addition to scratching off mom’s last state holdout, it would encompass five states I had never been to before: the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska. feature Blonding experts • Extension specialists • Master Colorists • Airbrush Makeup With nationally recognized artists and educators on our team, we are the goto salon for great hair and service. LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 12 YEARS AND TWO LOCATIONS Due to demand we have expanded- new client appointments available. Book for a free gift on new client services through 2023. Visit VanitySalonSC.com to book your appointment, today! Mt. Pleasant 1909 N Hwy 17 843.216.7181 Charleston 2875 Ashley River Rd. 843.571.1945 Voted Best and One of the Best Many Years in a Row!

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