Our Stay in Windsor, SC

South Carolina

March - April 2022

Waiting for His Favorite Human

While we waited to check into our Windsor Airbnb, my husband went out for groceries, and I stayed in the car with Hemmes. Hemmes was a great cat the whole time. He waited quietly in his carrier, knowing his favorite person would come back with a treat. When the car door finally opened, Hemmes got the tasty reward he had been hoping for.

Starting With A Run Next To Home

I began this sunny day with an early morning run. My Fitbit stopped working, so I waited for my husband to return to check my distance. I meant to run 5 km but ended up running almost an extra kilometer, for a total of almost 4 miles.

Spending Some Time in Downtown Aiken

In the early afternoon, we drove 15 miles to visit the historic district of Aiken, a small town known as “The South’s Best Small Town.” Back in the late 1800s, it was a health resort, a winter escape, and a polo center for wealthy families from the Northeast. People also call it the “Polo Capital of the World” or “The Winter Colony.” Aiken still feels like the 19th century with its neat downtown, parks, wide green streets, and sculptures.

And in Aiken's Hopelands Gardens

We also stopped by Aiken’s Hopelands Gardens. This 14-acre place was once a private estate and is now a quiet public garden with winding paths under old oaks and cedars. It’s easy to see why people pick this park for weddings. We were lucky to have the place to ourselves and walked along the quiet paths past historic buildings, gardens, and ponds. As we wandered, a Red Cardinal showed off its bright feathers. I hadn’t seen one in a while, but I always love spotting them because they mean hope and joy to me.

Our Last Morning Walk in Windsor, SC

Our six days in rural Windsor, SC, passed quickly. We thoroughly enjoyed the cottage, which Hemmes also loved. For Hemmes, this was the first opportunity to wander around outside safely, of course, under supervision. The Airbnb was undeniably welcoming and spacious for us!

Before we drove off, we walked the sandy Pine Acres next to the cottage road for one last time. It was also our last walk in South Carolina since we would continue our fantastic adventure in Georgia!