Three Historic Landmarks In Charleston Worth a Picture Or Two

It is the most photographed and painted tourist attraction in Charleston. It was an undesireable part of town following the Civil War, but now is a very sought after landmark synonymous with the name of Charleston. Painted in an array of Caribbean inspired pastel hues resulted in the name by which it has become identified. Sea captains, traders, townsfolk and pirates shopped, traded, and sold their goods in this stretch of realestate located on East Bay Street. Walk through the Old Market and you will find it on plates, switch covers, shells, and just about anything with a flat surface, even bricks. It is a group of buildings called Rainbow Row. If you are a resident it is a been there, done that, but if you are a first-timer the Row should be on your must-see list.

Originally Half Moon Battery, this landmark is considered to be one of the three most historically significant Colonial buildings in the United States. The structure stands proudly at the foot of Broad Street. It is the Old Exchange Building and Provost Dungeon. All the employees dress the part. You will see them standing at the top of the steps along the front in colonial dress waving and greeting tourists. Inside are three floors of Charleston history highlighting the Colonial and Revolutionary eras. The artifacts displayed help you get a picture of the events and people that influenced and shaped the history of Charleston or specifically, Charles Towne. The Provost Dungeon, still dank and without sunlight, highlights a tour that speaks of pirates and patriots in chains, of a siezed tea shipment and General Moultrie's hidden gunpowder, and ghosts lurking within its walls.

The Powder Magazine located at 79 Cumberland Street is Carolina's oldest public building. A small brick building with walls three feet thick and four groin arches designed to implode in case of an explosion was used as a powder magazine from 1713-1770 and again briefly during the Revolutionary War. Its other uses were as a stable, a wine cellar, a print shop and now, a museum. It offers free of charge living historic presentations and showcases different period interpreters, local crafters, artists, musicians, and other historical novelties. Every Saturday in June and July there is a live performance scheduled called The Gentleman Pirate at 3:30pm – 4:30pm.

While in the area check out Johnson's Pub & Pizzeria or the Blind Tiger Pub for some cool drinks and creative dishes.-Vacation Rick Travel

Kayaking The Intercoastal Waters Of Charleston And Its Backwaters

I have rented kayaks on the Isle of Palms and paddled around the intercoastal waters near the Wild Dunes area. It was a great experience and alot of fun. Kayaking the tidal creeks can get tricky with the changing tides. Everything looks different when the waters are high as opposed to low. Very easy to lose your bearings and get sidetracked in the grasses. At one point of our excursion we were quite positive we confronted an alligator in the thick grasses because of its distinct low bellowing growl. We took it to be a warning and boogied out of there.

We cruised past huge villas that lined the sides, each one with its own boat dock and overlooking beautiful pools. Tried some fishing along the way, but didn't have much success. We absorbed the sights and sounds and raced one another to see who was the fastest. We made it back to the marina despite our perils fully satisfied and happy.

Charleston has plenty of coast from the IOP to Folly filled with rivers, salt creeks and backwaters to explore. But the intercoastal waters are not the only place in the Lowcountry you can adventure around with kayaks and canoes. Recently I read an article about three places where you and the whole family can experience the beauty of South Carolina in the Charleston Lowcountry: The Edisto River Trail, Givans Ferry State Park, and Francis Beidler Forest.

Edisto River Trail is a stretch of the longest, free flowing blackwater river in North America. Carolina Heritage Outfitters will help you with all your necessities and equipement for a fun and safe outing. They offer trips of a few hours or a two-day experience of 22 miles to include an overnight stay in one of the treehouses or you can just camp out anywhere along the way.

Givans Ferry State Park was voted one of the "Top 15 paddling spots in America". It is part of the 56 mile long Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail and is at the end of a 21 mile downstream paddle from Colleton State Park. It has campgrounds and rustic cabins.

Francis Beidler Forest is located in Four Holes Swamp, SC, 45,000 acres of blackwater and swamp. Four Holes Swamp is a major tributary of the Edisto river. Francis Beidler Forest is 15,000 acres of forest and swamp containing bald cypress and tupelo gum trees and the only two stands of old growth still left in the state. A visitor center is there for your convenience and guided canoe trips are offered.-Vacation Rick Travel

Slip Sliding Away-Charleston's Waterparks

It's summer in Charleston. It's hot, it's humid, and people are looking for ways to cool themselves off. The good ole garden hose could be one way to do it or the common backyard pool could be another. Charleston residents are blessed with an alternative. It has beautiful beaches where you can stake out your claim to a plot of sand for a day next to the Big Blue in which you can cool yourself in its salty waters when the urge strikes.

But if you are looking to occassionally stray from the norm, Charleston also offers three of the waterpark variety to soak your body in when the temperatures are on the rise: Splash Island Waterpark, Splash Zone Waterpark, and Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark. Water slides, lazy rivers, a giant bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water on you, wave pool action, sprays, and soaking pools of varying sizes are all a part of the experience.

Splash Island Waterpark is located within Mt. Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park. All of the water attractions here are designed for toddlers to pre-teen children. Great place for Moms and Dads to take their little ones for a low-key water experience. There are also trails and paddleboats in the park for kids and adults alike to enjoy. It is off of Long Point Road on Needlerush Parkway near Boone Hall Plantation.

Splash Zone Waterpark is located within James Island County Park on Riverland Drive. This park features a Caribbean style structure with slides, wheels, and sprays and a 500-foot lazy river with an adventure channel with sprays and a waterfall. Two water slides are featured here, both 200-feet long.

Finally, Charleston's big daddy of its waterparks, Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark is located in North Charleston within Wannamaker County Park. You will get wet, afterall that is the objective, isn't it. Some of its attractions include the Big Splash Tree House, a play structure that has a giant bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water, a 870-foot lazy river, that's almost three football fields of cool relaxation, and a multi-slide complex with 3 different selections of thrilling spills, each approximately 300-feet long. It also has a wave pool with 27,000 square feet of different types of wave action.

All three parks feature what they call extra value days: Military Monday, Two for Tuesdays, and Wet and Wild Wednesdays and you can use your Greenbax.

A final bit of trivia on water slides. Blizzard Beach Water Park in Walt Disney World boasts to have one of the world's tallest, fastest water slides, Summit Plummet. Height of slide is 120 feet and top speed varies according to rider-approximately 60 mph for adults and 50 mph for kids. It sends riders zooming through a short tunnel pelted by a curtain of water where they will begin the descent and may momentarily float into the air and freefall as if the slide vanishes hitting the straightaway at the bottom where they create a huge plume of water and possibly, an industrial-strength wedgie.-Vacation Rick Travel