Charleston to Atlanta

As gorgeous as Charleston is, I was ready to move on and see a little more of America.

We were on our way early and after a few failed attempts to find Starbucks, settled at Denny's for breakfast (best breakfast so far!).

I wish I could bottle the air today. It's warm, sun-filled, slightly smokey and textured by the smell of warm grass and spring flowers. Happiness.

We're on the old highways today, rather than the huge 4-lane interstates, and it is very pleasant driving. Old America. Light grey tarmac with the yellow centerline, forest on either side, big blue sky.

The houses are a mix of huge southern mansions made of weatherboard, with large verandahs and kept gardens, and trailer houses. Side by side.

There has been a lot of swamp beside the road, but not swamp as I had imagined. This looks like flooded forest, with still, black water beneath tall hickory trees.

Dom expects to see guys in stripey overalls and shackles, splashing through the swamp, pursued by baying bloodhounds. (We haven't seen any).

South Carolina is our 11th and final state for this trip, after California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia.