We had to get down to the lobby by 9:30am if we wanted the free Continental Breakfast. I usually could not care less, but Eric was interested, and he woke me up at 8:00am. Since we hadn’t gone to bed until 1:30am, and I hadn’t slept very well, I was REALLY tired, but I got up. We took showers, got dressed and went downstairs. It ended up being worthwhile.
They had honeydew (too soft), red grapefruit (too tart) and fresh pineapple (just right). They also had two kinds of yogurt in the little containers – including Activia, which I thought was really considerate!
You had a choice of about 5 or 6 different cold cereals, or you could make instant oatmeal (they all came in the pre-measured bowls). They had regular milk and 2% milk, orange juice, apple juice, and STARBUCKS coffee! I was REALLY impressed by that!
They had English muffins and bagels, and a toaster, so you could have them hot, if you wanted. They supplied margarine, cream cheese and butter.
I had some fruit, a cup of decaf coffee, a glass of orange juice and a toasted English muffin with cream cheese. Eric had a cup of tea, instant oatmeal, fruit, a toasted bagel and a toasted English muffin (I told you he was interested!).
After breakfast we went back upstairs. I watched TV and Eric fell back to sleep. I watched most of WALK THE LINE, and I really enjoyed it. I missed the first 45 minutes.
When the movie was over, I woke Eric up and we went out for a ride in the car. The first place we went to was WALGREENS. Somehow, Eric lost his reading glasses (not his prescription -- just the kind you get at the drug store), so we had to pick up another pair. We also desperately needed gum (what else am I going to spit out the window?).
After that, we drove to Downtown Columbia, to see the city. It was much more deserted than even I imagined (and I imagined it would be quiet). It was absolutely dead. No stores open, no restaurants open, no buildings open. Dead. Like a ghost town. It was almost disconcerting. We did see a couple of people driving around or walking down the street – a couple.
The city is relatively small. I mean, any city is small when you compare it to New York, even the city of San Diego is small. When I say “city” I mean the part where all the businesses are – the tall buildings – the business center – the hub. We saw a lot of small cities as we drove through America. This is another one. Parts were just like any other city in the country – the Bank of America building looked like it could have been in Manhattan. But, there were streets that looked like “small town America.” Eric was not impressed. I didn’t fall in love, but I didn’t dislike it either. I figure I could get a job anywhere, so why not here?
After that we decided to try to find Harbison State Forest, which is supposed to provide some good mountain biking just 10 minutes outside Columbia. We drove north up I-26 to I-20 to 215, but saw no signs about any forest. We went as far as Jenkinsville (which was about 3 blocks long) and then headed west on 213 to 76 and then south again. No sign of it. I asked Eric to talk to the concierge at our hotel but, just like a man, he didn’t want to ask for directions. He had his atlas! Well, we followed the atlas and look where it got us. We drove about 40 miles and couldn’t see the forest for the trees!
At least we got a good look at the surrounding area of Columbia. Eric said we couldn’t live here. It was much too rural. I agreed, but told him there were still plenty of cities we could check out. It’s funny, because as long as we were in California, Eric hated it, put it down, made jokes about it, and was generally negative. Now that we’re in South Carolina, San Diego is looking better and better to him. He even said he’s glad we came here, because it’s making him appreciate San Diego more. Don’t ask.
I don’t understand it myself. He apologized a couple of times for “dragging me here.” I told him I don’t mind at all. He feels bad that we spent the money to come out here for a week, when we could have visited family. I told him I wanted to come out here, because if he’s not going to be happy in San Diego, I want to figure out where he DOES want to live. If it’s not here, we have to keep looking.
Eric makes his mind up VERY fast. We had only been here a day when he decided this wasn’t the place for him. He made up his mind just as fast about San Diego. I told him we’re going to be here until Monday morning, so he better hold his judgment until we get back to San Diego and has a chance to think about it.
Now, he’s talking about moving to Northern California. I had suggested that right after the fires, before we ever moved to San Diego, but Eric didn’t like the idea then. Why that has changed, I’ll never know, but he’s liking California more and more.
I’ll let you know what he says when we get back there!
When we got back to Irmo, we decided we were hungry and went to the only restaurant in town that was open – DENNY’S. I expected it to be quiet, since it IS Christmas Day, but it was so busy we actually had to wait for a seat. Now, this wasn’t a restaurant filled with people who don’t celebrate Christmas, like the Chinese restaurants and movie theaters in New York. This was a restaurant filled with people who DO celebrate Christmas who decided to go out to eat at 3:30pm to Denny’s! Again – don’t ask – I don’t understand it myself.
I had clam chowder and a fish sandwich with mashed potatoes. Eric had chicken fried chicken with mixed veggies and French fries. He also had a vanilla shake; I had iced tea. I took home half my sandwich; Eric took home a piece of chicken fried chicken. I don’t even know WHY it’s called Chicken Fried Chicken and not just Fried Chicken, except it’s a cutlet and not the usual piece of chicken that’s breaded and fried, and it is prepared like the Chicken Fried Steak, except it’s chicken. Are you confused yet? I know I am!
When we got back, Eric took another nap. That’s a sure sign that he’s not happy – he always sleeps more when he’s depressed. When Eric's busy and happy he can be up for 20 hours -- work, then ride, then watch TV, etc. Otherwise, he sleeps a LOT. While he slept, I watched an episode of MONK, and then was turning channels and found that WALK THE LINE was on again, and this time I only missed the first 20 minutes. I watched it until I came to the part where I came in this morning. I hope to catch it from the beginning some day! It’s a really good movie with great performances by everyone. No wonder they were nominated for Oscars!
Now, Eric is up and watching basketball and I’m working on the computer. Tomorrow we are going to find the bicycle shop, even though it won’t be open, so we’ll know exactly where we have to go on Thursday. While we were driving around today, we passed at least 5 antique shops and antique malls, so I know I’ll have plenty to do while he’s riding for the next few days! I also saw a STARBUCKS in the city, so I know I can have my decaf raspberry mocha if I want. I told Eric all I need to do is find a yoga studio and I’m ready to move here! Unfortunately, he doesn’t feel the same!
I forgot I had taken pictures of our cute balcony in San Diego on Clairemont Drive, so I’m including a few pictures of the flowers Eric planted in the pots I bought. I think it looks so nice and told Eric that now WE have the nicest balcony in the complex!
There are two of these planters:
There are two of these large wall pockets:
The two taller pots surround the smaller, bigger pot:
Here are a few pictures of the hotel room. It is SO lovely and I’m enjoying it SO much!
The living room area of the suite:
Here's a picture of Eric trying to steal the flat panel TV!
The dressing area, outside the bathroom, with the granite countertop, and the dresser:
There's a small wall that separates the living room from the bedroom, but the light from one room flows through the "windows." It's very clever.
Here's a close-up of the rug, which is really pretty and comfy!
There are two of these lights in the living room, and two in between the full-size beds.
I hope tomorrow will be a little more productive than today. I want Eric to find out where the riding is, so he’s ready to roll on Thursday morning, when he goes to rent the bike. I think it’s very important he follows through, although it IS supposed to rain, in which case, he won’t get to find out much. That would really be a shame. I hope the weatherman is wrong!