DAY 2

Taking it Easy in Charleston - A Love Letter to the Low Country

After the ambitious routing of Day 1, we decided Day 2 would be our chance to slow down and actually enjoy one of our favorite destinations in JetBlue's network: Charleston, South Carolina. This is a city we love—we came here for our 7th anniversary—and we weren't about to let the challenge prevent us from experiencing it properly.

One of the great things about the JetBlue 25 for 25 Challenge is that while you're collecting destinations, there's nothing stopping you from turning some of those stops into actual mini-vacations. Today's plan was deliberately light on flights and heavy on enjoying where we landed.

Our flight into Charleston was on time, and within minutes we were reminded why CHS consistently ranks as one of the better airports. It's compact, efficient, and manages to feel relaxed rather than chaotic.

Sullivan's Island: A Hidden Gem 20 Minutes from Runway to Beach

One of Charleston's best-kept secrets is how close its barrier islands are to the airport. A $20 Uber ride—about 20 minutes depending on traffic—gets you from the jet bridge to Sullivan's Island, one of the most charming coastal communities on the East Coast. It feels completely different from the constant motion of airport travel.

The weather was perfect: warm sunshine with a cool ocean breeze that makes the South Carolina coast so appealing. We spent time walking the beaches, checking out the historic Fort Moultrie, and just enjoying the salt air. For a few hours, the challenge faded into the background, replaced by simply being present in a beautiful place.

Sullivan's Island is the perfect contrast to airports and planes. Where airports are all about efficiency and movement, the island encourages you to slow down. The beaches, lighthouse, and laid-back vibe created a relaxing experience that we knew would help recharge us for busier travel days ahead.

Brunch at Obstinate Daughter: A Culinary Highlight

No visit to Sullivan's Island would be complete without brunch at Obstinate Daughter, and this meal alone justified our decision to build some relaxation time into the challenge. Located on Middle Street, this restaurant has earned a reputation that extends well beyond the island.

Pro tip for future challenge participants: Make reservations well in advance. Obstinate Daughter's popularity means walk-ins are rarely accommodated, especially during peak brunch hours. We booked our table weeks ahead, treating it as a must-do for Day 2.

The shrimp roll deserves special mention—think Maine lobster roll but significantly better. Fresh, local shrimp piled high on a perfectly toasted roll with just enough seasoning to enhance the seafood's natural flavor. It's the kind of dish that shows you why Charleston has become such a food destination.

The homemade pastas are clearly made that morning, and the wood-fired pizzas achieve that perfect balance of crispy crust and creative toppings that elevate them well beyond typical brunch fare.

The standout was the brunch pizza, 'Old Danger', topped with a sunny-side-up egg. When you cut into it, the golden yolk creates a sauce that combines perfectly with fresh herbs and thick-cut pork belly. It's the kind of dish that makes you slow down and savor each bite—exactly what we needed after Day 1.

The restaurant captures Sullivan's Island's relaxed elegance well. Large windows provide natural light, and the open kitchen adds energy without chaos. It's upscale enough for special occasions but comfortable enough that you don't feel rushed—important when you're trying to decompress from constant travel.

The Value of Strategic Relaxation

By design, Day 2 was light on destination collecting. We only added two new airports to our tally: CHS (Charleston) and BOS (Boston, our final stop of the day). Some might view this as inefficient use of challenge time, but we see it as a smart investment in our long-term success.

The challenge isn't just about physical endurance—it's about maintaining mental clarity and energy over months of travel. Taking time to actually enjoy great destinations like Charleston helps prevent the challenge from becoming just a mechanical exercise in airport navigation.

As we prepared to leave Sullivan's Island for our evening flight to Boston, we felt good about the balance we'd struck. We'd advanced our challenge goals while creating genuine memories in a place we love. Tomorrow would bring new destinations and adventures, but today proved that the journey could be just as rewarding as the destination count.

Airport Dining Excellence: Kardea Brown's Southern Kitchen

Before heading to Boston, we had to stop at what's become legendary among food-savvy travelers: Kardea Brown's Southern Kitchen right here in the Charleston airport. For those who know Food Network's Kardea Brown, this restaurant represents something special—authentic Charleston cuisine that rivals the best restaurants downtown, all within the airport.

This isn't typical airport food by any stretch. Kardea Brown has created what many consider the best restaurant in Charleston, and it happens to be located in CHS, making it a destination in itself. The atmosphere captures the warmth and hospitality Charleston is known for, making even a brief airport visit feel like a proper Southern welcome.

The absolute must-try is Kardea's Crab Dip—it might be the best crab dip in the entire state, if not the country. Rich, creamy, and loaded with fresh blue crab meat, it's the kind of dish that shows you why Charleston has become such a food powerhouse. We've had crab dip from Maine to Maryland to the Gulf Coast, and nothing comes close to what Kardea has created here.

The menu covers the full spectrum of Lowcountry cuisine, from shrimp and grits to gumbo that tastes like it's been simmering for days. Every dish reflects both Kardea's Food Network expertise and her deep understanding of Charleston's culinary traditions. It's the rare airport restaurant where you might actually prefer eating there to venturing into the city.

The short flight to Boston provided a gentle transition back into challenge mode, with the satisfaction that Day 2 had been exactly what we needed: a reminder that the best travel challenges aren't just about reaching destinations, but about being present enough to appreciate them when you arrive.