A Piece of Charleston History Pulled From The Ocean Dating Back To The Civil War

The Hunley preserved in the tank

Many years ago in my mischievous youth, we would impale these onto our bicycle spokes with a clothes pin. The idea behind this peculiar behavior was to make our bikes sound like they were motorized. The louder, the better, so more than one was often employed to achieve the desired effect. The bubble gum that accompanied these, shaped into sugar coated thin squares, was the first thing pulled from the wrapping and while chewing it to a consistency necessary to blow into balloon shapes, we would quickly shuffle through the rest of the contents with hopes of acquiring the one cherished piece that would make you the envy of your peers. Doubles were inevitable and often became the fodder for the aforementioned practice.

It appears the practice has become extinct. I haven't observed any kids riding around the neighborhood these days with this item flapping on their spokes. Children today are too technically sophisticated for such simple minded inventions and collecting apps is the more desired preoccupation of the young. Come to think of it, clothes pins are a rather rare commodity themselves. As for the item, I don't even know if they sell them anymore. Enthusiasts of this forgotten custom of a bygone era who have them in their possession today, whether by accident or design, benefit greatly. Quite simply put, I speak of baseball cards.

Baseball card collecting was popular in those early years, but something else became available in the form of collectible cards during the 1960's. Collectible cards portraying the American Civil War were printed and sold. Each card depicted a notable battle or person that was involved in this conflict that split the United States in two. Some of the more significant events I remember from those cards was the shelling of Fort Sumter, the Battle of Bull Run, the encounter between the Monitor and the Merrimack, Stonewall Jackson being shot by his own troops, the Battle of Gettysburg, and Robert E. Lee surrendering at Appomattox, to name a few. Since I also liked to draw, I often carefully recopied battle scenes on paper with pencil and crayon. Those cards were the spark that lit the fire of my interest in wanting to learn more about that part of history. 

I am from Northeastern Ohio, and in that part of the U.S. you are far removed from the many notable places and events of the Civil War, but here in the South, in Charleston, you are in the heart of it all. It is tightly weaved into the very fabric of Charleston's identity and for visitors it is inescapable, both by land and water. The Spiritline Cruises in Charleston Harbor shuttles people back and forth on a daily basis to the place where it all started, Fort Sumter. The guides on one of the numerous historic carriage rides seen crisscrossing the historic district are dressed in Confederate uniforms. You can get up close and personal by physically touching the iron mortars and cannon at Fort Moultrie or White Point Gardens that were used to bombard Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861.

A replica of the interior

One notable event I do not recall seeing on those cards was the infamous sinking of the USS Housatonic just outside of Charleston Harbor by the Hunley in 1864. In fact, my first exposure to the story of the Hunley was by way of a movie and then in more detail, when I moved to Charleston. Most likely, there are quite a few people in this country who don't know the Hunley exists or its story. For those who don't, the Hunley was the first successful combat submarine. Successful, meaning the Confederate submarine accomplished its one and only mission. It didn't successfully return to port. The Hunley disappeared under the waters off of Sullivan's Island and for 136 years its fate remained a mystery.


The Hunley crew crossed a foot bridge connecting Mt. Pleasant to Sullivan's
Island at this location in 1864. It became the Pitt Street Bridge, now known as Pickett Bridge.

Its final resting place was discovered and in 2000 the Hunley was carefully and meticulously raised, still in tack, from the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are theories as to what happened to the Hunley, but no one really knows for sure what caused its demise. Scientists have been puzzling over the remains of the Hunley since its recovery, searching for clues that will assist them with providing a feasible hypothesis.

You can view the Hunley and the artifacts uncovered with it at its own museum where it is displayed in a 90,000 gallon conservation tank. Museum location is the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, 1250 Supply Street (on the old Charleston Navy Base), North Charleston, South Carolina. A startling discovery was made in 2002 while researching the interior of the sub that confirmed a long held legend. For the complete story of this find and tour information go to Friends of the Hunley.

An Isolated Island Bed And Breakfast In The Heart Of The San Francisco Bay Area

A gracious relic of the past, it is an island unto itself. It is unique among its kind. Originally there were six like it, but only three are sill standing. At one point in time its future had become uncertain. It survived because it is historically intrinsic and loved by many. Now 133 years old, it is a matchless Califronia destination with a spectacular view. It is the East Brother Lighthouse.

The East Brother Lighthouse quite literally sits on top of an island in the strait that separates San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. The lighthouse began operation in 1874. The original lens was illuminated by a wick filled with whale oil. Later the means of illumination was replaced by a fifth-order Fresnel lens, powered by a 500-watt bulb. The San Francisco Bay area is one of the foggiest places on the coast, so the island lighthouse was also outfitted with a fog horn. The keepers lived on the island with their families and cared for its operation until it became automated in 1969.

The lighthouse is of a unique design. The tower is attached to a two story Victorian style house. There were five other lighthouses built in this design located at various places on the United States coastline, but aside from East Brother only two are still standing. Not far down the coastline from San Francisco near Los Angeles in the San Pedro Bay is one of them, the Point Fermin Lighthouse. The other is on the east coastline in New Jersey called Hereford Light.

The future of the East Brother Lighthouse became uncertain. A fire incident destroyed the island's wharf and boathouse. After it was automated, the keepers were no longer needed. The Victorian style house sat neglected and void of life. The government wanted to tear it down. Thanks to local residents who saw value in the past and the necessity to preserve its heritage, an outcry arose protesting its demolition. The Victorian house and other buildings were saved and steps were taken to restore it, not just to its former glory, but into a place where all who want to experience the wonder of a lighthouse with a beautiful vista for a magnifacent backdrop can do so.

Two Sisters Room

The East Brother Lighthouse is now an island bed and breakfast. There are five available rooms. Four of the rooms are in the lighthouse itself and the fifth is in the original Fog signal Building. The rooms are beautifully appointed and each has its own stunning view of the Bay area and surrounding landscape or seascape, whichever you prefer. Your stay includes champagne and hors d’oeuvres upon arrival, a multi-course dinner with wine and a full gourmet breakfast the next morning. If you would like the warmth and romantic atmosphere a fireplace provides, the Two sisters Room would be your likely choice, if you seek more privacy, the Walter's Quarters in the Fog Signal Building 100 feet from the lighthouse, closest to the water. Prices are $355 to $415 per night.

The island is a ten minute boat ride from the mainland. It is 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco. Once on the island, you will be treated to spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, Mount Tamalpais, and the Marin coastline. Your senses will be immersed and soothed by the smell of the bay, the sound of the lapping water on the rocky outcrops, and your imagination can take flight or stay put, its all the same either way, nostalgic and reinvigorating. You will find out why San Francisco has been the top rated destination for many years among travelers. That is, until Charleston recently took the top spot. East Brother Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast reviews. Reservations 510-233-2385.


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Charleston And The Grand Hotel On Mackinac Island-Somewhere In Time

In 1980, Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour starred in the romantic science fiction film "Somewhere in Time." To make a long story shorter, Reeves portrayed a playwright who receives a watch from a mysterious woman many years his age accompanied with the plea, "Come back to me." Eight years later, he becomes obsessed with her after finding out who she was in earlier times while staying at the famous Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. An obsession that would take him on a journey back in time.

No machine, like the kind you would see in other movies of this genre and subject matter, was employed to carry him back. All he needed to do was dress himself in clothing of the era, close his eyes, and with complete concentration immerse his thoughts and psyche into the time and place he desired to be at, which was 1912, where Jane Seymour awaited his coming. The story has both a tragic and happy ending, if you believe in such things as life after death.

I have always been fascinated with the theory of time travel, though I do not believe it to be attainable and theoretically is impossible for us mortals. It still boggles my mind that when you look at a mirror you are looking into your past because it took time for the light to move from the mirror back to your eyes, no matter how minute that movement is perceived to be. It all has something to do with gravity and the speed of light spattered with quantum physics. Perception plays a key role both in the movie and this article.

The Grand Hotel was the perfect setting for this film because it possesses a mystique that has the ability to capture your imagination and for the brief moments you are there transplant you into its charming and elegant past. Built in 1887, it has accommodated presidents, foreign dignitaries, and famous inventors and writers. It is visually stunning. The hotel boasts having one of the longest porches in the world at 660 ft. At its opening, nightly rates ranged from $3 to $5. No two of the 385 guest rooms are designed alike. Rates today range from $433 for a guest room to 798 for a named room, which include a full breakfast, Grand Luncheon Buffet, and five-course dinner daily.

The Hotel possesses a long list of honorable mentions from Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure including the designation as a four-diamond resort and one of the top 10 U.S. historic hotels. If the credentials don't peak your interest, every October the hotel hosts an annual convention for fans of the cult-classic "Somewhere in Time."

Charleston, like the Grand Hotel, possesses that mystique. Position yourself at any entranceway or street corner in the historic district and merge your senses into the surroundings. If you concentrate hard enough, you will be able to hear the commotion and sounds of its storied past and for that brief interim of time, maybe have an experience like the one in the movie. Just close your eyes. You will hear it. You will smell it. You will feel it.

Families chattering about the days activities while sipping afternoon tea and basking in the coastal breeze on their porches along the waterfront of the Battery. Breathe in the nostalgic smells of the produce and goods while strolling through the Old Market area. Looking out over the harbor and seeing the tall masts and sails of the ships entering and leaving the busy port. The spectacle of cannon and mortar fire bursting over Fort Sumter that early April morning. The snapping of the rope on which Stede Bonnet, the Gentleman Pirate, was hung in 1718 at White Point. Lavinia Fisher crying out before her hanging at the Old City Jail, "If anyone has a message for hell, give it to me-I'll deliver it," so the story goes. We will need verification of this one, so if you actually do travel back in time, send me an email.

The history of Charleston was not always charming and glamorous. There was a time when Charleston had fallen into near decay. A time when many of the restaurants, hotels, taverns, and buildings we enjoy today were empty and disintegrating structures foreboding doom, until a rebirth to preserve the past for posterity became the prime objective of city planning and historic Charleston was rescued.

Now, Charleston is the top destination in the nation among this countries many cities. No, Charleston doesn't have a hotel with a 660 foot porch like the Grand Hotel, but the Market Pavilion Hotel and Venue Inns both have roof top bars and enough hospitality to go around.

You don't actually have to close your eyes to experience the past, in Charleston you are surrounded by it. The clip-clop of horses hooves and the rattling of carriages from the numerous tours are everywhere. Women in hooped skirts greet you with a southern smile at the many historic plantations and dastardly pirates with their tall tales will amuse you. Its Antebellum history will inform you and its residents will invite you into their homes and gardens for a glimpse of its style and grace.

Charleston also has a savvy nightlife with its many theaters and nightspots for drinks, music and dancing. While you are here, make sure you say hello to Alabaster, he resides at the South Carolina Aquarium.

Charleston Reigns Supreme As Top Destination Beating Out San Francisco

Dock Street Theater

We're number one, we're number one, and I ain't just blowing smoke up your Rhett Butler. Sorry Rhett, but "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." Well, at least number one with over 27,000 readers of Conde Nast Travelers. Charleston for 14 years was in the top five cities, during which San Francisco reigned supreme for most of those years. Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report, a native son who grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, on James Island, presented the award and said, "I've been all over the world, and Charleston is the most beautiful city I've ever seen." How's that San Fran.

What was it about San Francisco that made it a favorite destination for years by so many people? I have not been to San Francisco personally, so anything I know about the city is either by word of mouth or what I have read and pictures I have seen.

San Fran and Charleston are in some ways similar, but also quite different. You can't swim in the Pacific Ocean around San Fran without a wet suit because the temperature of the water rarely rises above 60 degrees. San Francisco is shrouded by fog throughout the year making it damp and cool. It has skyscrapers and big city traffic. On top of it, San Francisco has the locally famous naked guys walking around like they were in the Garden of Eden.

Charleston's water temperatures reach into the 80's during the summer months making it excellent for taking a dip in just a bathing suit or a bikini. It is one of the sunniest locations in the nation. My six years of observation and experience with Charleston's weather has taught me that during the fall and winter seasons it rarely rains, and fog is only a once in a while nuisance. There are no skyscapers in Charleston. In fact, there is the story that, either by law or out of respect, nothing can be built taller than the St. Matthew’s steeple within the Holy City. At least, that is what the tours tell us. The steeple rises 255 feet, 7 and 5/8 inches above sea level. And as far as the naked thing goes, that would not go over very well here in the Bible Belt. Thank God for that. You would not want to be following the bouncing balls of that song and dance.

San Francisco and Charleston both have beautiful beaches. They both have famous bridges. Both cities are centrally located near other popular destinations.

A two to three hour drive south from San Fran is one of the most stunningly beautiful places in the country, Pebble Beach's oceanside golf courses, Carmel by the Sea, the Big Sur, 17-Mile Drive, and Monterey, home of the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Go to the northeast some three hours and the roads will take you to sunny Lake Tahoe. The famous Napa Valley wine country is a short hop and a skip.

Two and a half hours to the north of Charleston is the ever popular Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand. One and a half hours to the south is Charleston's sister city of the South, Savannah. Two cities that have so much in common historically and ghostly, but structurally layed out in their own unique ways. One hour outside of Charleston are Kiawah Island and the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, host of the 2012 PGA Championship.

One final similarity, and this is a unique feature I would take notice of. Both cities are some six hours from one of my all-time favorite destinations, Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida.

Well, that's the long and the short of it, more short than long. A tale of two cities sharing the same land mass called North America, one on the west coast, the other on the east coast, yet worlds apart.

So, celebrate Charleston and enjoy the honorary distinction of being number one. Our growing crop of award-winning restaurants and hotels has put the city over the top. Our hospitality and friendliness are scoring big too. Charleston was also awarded the honor of being Friendliest City in America from Travel + Leisure.

If you want to learn more about San Francisco from a southeners point of view checkout James A. Martin-A Southerner in San Francisco. Most of my information comes from a first hand observer. My son lived there for a few years and he loved it. He is a well known skateboarder who surfed and took frequent trips to Lake Tahoe for snowboarding. He once cycled from San Francisco to Cleveland, Ohio where he now lives.

Other rankings:
French Quarter Inn (No. 15-Top U.S. Hotels)
Charleston Place (No. 30-Top U.S. Hotels)
Planters Inn (No. 52-Top U.S. Hotels)
Market Pavilion (No. 62-Top U.S. Hotels)
John Rutledge House Inn (No. 16-Top U.S. Small Hotels)
Wentworth Mansion (No. 17-Top U.S. Small Hotels)
Wild Dunes Resort (No. 121-Top Mainland U.S. Resorts)

If you want more information on these and other attractions and landmarks go to the top of my blog and type what you are looking for in the search.

Where Have The Alligators Gone And Alabaster-The Rarest Of Gators

Look closely for the alligator

With the end of summer and the advent of fall, we no longer see the alligators that once inhabited our ponds here in White Gables. Have you ever wondered where they go? Do they migrate to a warmer place? The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the first question is as follows. Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they are not there. That being said, alligators can travel over land or through rivers for several miles, so it is possible the alligators of White Gables could have moved to a more accommodating place to hunker down for the winter.

Alligators are just as much a part of Charleston culture as sweet tea. They fascinate us. We take are kids down to the ponds to watch them. We grab our cameras to photograph them. So, since they are fellow residents and neighbors, we need to know something about them.

Alligators can and do eat just about anything. Sticks, stones, bricks, and even aluminum cans have been found in the stomachs of mature alligators. Their stomachs are the most acidic of any vertebrate. I guess you could call them liter-debuggers. Still, that is not their preferred cuisine. They are carnivores, meat eaters that feed at night. If you think you are safe in a tree, think again. Alligators can leap 5 feet or more out of the water if they see something to their liking. They can even snatch a bird out of the air.

An alligator is not considered sexually active until it reaches 6 feet. In cooler regions of their habitat, such as North Carolina, that could take 16-20 years, and in warmer climates, 8-9 years. When they do reach maturity, alligators restrict their breeding and nesting activities to the warm summer months. Temperature is very important for the first half of incubation of the 40-60 eggs the female lays in built up mounds. Temperatures in the nest less than 86 degrees produce only females, temperatures above 90 degrees produce only males.

American alligators are cold-blooded animals, generally are active year round in South Carolina. They do not hibernate in the true sense, they do undergo periods of dormancy in cold weather months, November to March. They excavate a cave in the bank of a waterway and enlarge the inner chamber so a portion of it is above the water level, allowing them to surface occasionally to breathe. On exceptionally warm days they may pop theirs heads up to see what is going on.

Alligators can hold their breath up to an hour. So, if you see one and it dips below the water, getting its picture may involve a long wait. We should keep in mind that an alligator should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER be fed! The alligators get accustomed to people and, instead of fearing humans, they begin to expect people to feed them. This can lead to alligators being aggressive and a “nuisance species." Bad for them, bad for us. The American alligators habitat ranges from coastal North Carolina to the Everglades in Florida.

Visit the South Carolina Aquarium for a rare treat, an albino alligator. Its name is Alabaster. Alabaster is very rare because in the wild, albino alligators only have about a 24-hour survival rate. Alabaster is the newest addition to the Blackwater Swamp Exhibit. Visit the Aquarium and learn about this rare creature. See you there. Ticket prices for the Aquarium and 4-D theater.

Woodlands Inn And Resort of Summerville-Come For The Party On The Lawn

Today, November 8, 2011, it is 74 degrees and sunshine, sunshine, sunshine in Summerville, SC. Could it get any better? Maybe, alittle wine with the sunshine, and how about some song. Reminds me of a famous quote, "Who loves not wine, women and song, remains a fool his whole life long.” Let's take it a step further. Another quote, “I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” Now you have all the ingredients for a goodtime: food, wine, and music.

Sunday, Nov 13, 2011, The Woodlands Resort Inn of Summerville, SC will be bringing all of these amenities together for their second annual Wine and Art Under the Pines. Regardless of the weather, you are invited to gather with other guests on the Woodlands Inn lawn for wine and food tastings, art displays and sales, a silent auction and musical entertainment.

The musical entertainment will be provided by former Summerville local singer/songwriter, Eddie Bush of One Flew South. That in itself is worth spending money on a ticket. Tickets are $35 per person until November 7th and are $50 thereafter. Time is 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Location is 125 Parsons Road Summerville, SC, 800-774-9999.

Eddie Bush is a standout favorite to all those familiar with the local music scene. For over two decades he had been a regular in local clubs as a solo performer and as the lead singer of the Eddie Bush Group. A self taught guitarist, his guitar skills earned him several first place honors in local battle of the bands contests in the 1990's.

Several years ago a solo release caught the attention of Nashville producer/songwriter Marcus Hummon. Eddie Bush was paired with Royal Reed and Chris Roberts. The result was the formation of pop country band, One Flew South, formed in the tradition of the Eagles, Poco, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, with a little Alabama and the Beach Boys thrown in for good measure. What is there not to like about that.

The Woodlands Inn and Resort of Summerville is a restored 1906 Charleston estate. It has been restored to become a Five Star, Five Diamond Inn that rests on 42 private acres amidst a grove of palmettos, moss-draped oak, and towering magnolias. One of only four lodging properties in the United States to receive the Five Star and Five Diamond hotel awards for both lodging and dining.

It offers a dining experience that is world renowned, not to leave out, a local favorite. Its New American cuisine incorporates the freshest, most exclusive ingredients gathered by private gardeners, day-boat fisherman and farmers. The service by the dining staff is superlative, and I can personally vouch for that. The resort also has a two-bedroom, 1,300 square foot Country Cottage.

Morris Island Lighthouse-Once A Beacon Of Light, Now A Symbol Of Survival

The phrase "shifting sands of time" is an old saying usually associated with an hour glass. Its meaning forebodes a change in circumstances. A famous lighthouse outside of Charleston Harbor, once a proud guardian of the coastline, now a vanquished sentinel, was victimized by the shifting sands of time, literally. The lighthouse residents and visitors see today was constructed beginning in 1873 and completed 1876. It was named the Morris Island Lighthouse because that is where it once upon a time stood. Sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale, but this is no fairy tale.

The Morris Island Lighthouse no longer stands on Morris Island. The sands upon which it was built are no longer there and this is where our story has a twist. Once upon a time Morris Island was actually three islands that stretched from Folly Beach to Sullivan's Island, and the lighthouse you see today was not the first Charleston lighthouse. The three islands were named Middle Bay Island, Morrison Island, and Cummings Point.

The first lighthouse tower built in 1767 stood 102 feet and had a revolving lamp with a range of 12 miles. In time, changing tidal currents altered the channel leading into Charleston and the three islands slowly merged into one and became just Morrison Island, later shortened to Morris. Then, the Civil War came and the lighthouse suffered an explosive ending. Fleeing Confederate troops blew up the lighthouse so Union troops couldn't benefit from it.

The lighthouse we see today was the replacement for the destroyed lighthouse. It stands at a height of 161 feet. This is where the story takes a twist. The channel shifted once again. This time threatening the Charleston Harbor, which could not be allowed to happen. Jetties were built, saving the harbor, but the result caused severe erosion on Morris Island. The island shrunk. Many of the buildings, which included the keeper's house and a school house, were destroyed by other powerful natural forces or moved. Slowly, the shifting sands retreated from around the lighthouse. The light was automated in 1938 and the Fresnel lens was removed. It continued to operate until it was eventually decommissioned in 1962.

The lighthouse address is now several hundred feet in the ocean. Yes, literally surrounded by the deep blue sea. The Coast Guard planned on destroying it, but local residents came to the rescue. It is now privately owned and efforts are underway to preserve it.

The Morris Island Lighthouse is just one of many in a system of lighthouses built up and down the East Coast--standing as protectors and guides. Some of them are still active, some of them are not. Some of them are open to the public, some are not. They are great subjects for photographs and their history is fascinating. To see what life was like for the caretakers and keepers of the lighthouses, visit one and take on the experience of climbing the hundreds of stairs to the top. The view is spectacular.

The Morris Island Lighthouse, for obvious reasons, is not open to the public. You can view it from the shores of Folly Beach. Another historical site affected by the erosion was Fort Wagner--the famous Confederate fort featured in the movie "Glory" with Matthew Broderick as Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. Although the jetties caused the erosion of Morris Island, it saved Charleston Harbor. It is a great place to fish.

The lens installed at Morris Island was a first-order Fresnel lens--the largest, most powerful and expensive lens with an illuminating apparatus fueled by mineral oil. A Fresnel lens is a multi-part lens developed by French physicist and engineer Augustin-Jean Fresnel. When compared to a conventional lens it is much thinner, larger, and flatter, and captures more oblique light from a light source, thus allowing lighthouses to be visible over much greater distances.

I recently went on a trip to Corolla, Outer Banks and toured the Currituck Lighthouse, which heightened my interest to check out Charleston's lighthouses.

A Great Time In Corolla At The Outer Banks, NC-Fishing, Golfing, Wild Horses, And A Lighthouse

Never turn your back on a seagull. You may say that is a strange way to start a travel article, but in this incident it is quite fitting, as you will see. So, I will continue with my analogy. Seagulls are bold, opportunistic thieves. Their boldness goes way beyond rudeness. I was surf fishing in Corolla at the Outer Banks. As I tended my line in the water, trying to anticipate the slightess nibble, which takes complete concentration, the notorious bandits made their move on my unattended bucket and bait behind me. The incursions forced me to divide my attention between my submerged hook and the gulls. It was a frustrating cycle. Despite the unwelcomed distraction, it was an excellent fall day on the nearly empty beaches of the Outer Banks.

The temperatures have cooled, the crowds departed, many of the shops closed, and the numerous transplanters from Europe have left, but the Outer Banks is still a good choice if you like the beach, fishing, sightseeing, and just plain old relaxation. I stayed at one of the numerous houses available for rent in Corolla, which is on the north end. I stayed for free by invitation from a friend. It is here the main road, Ocean Trail or 12, comes to an end. You can drive out onto the beach and continue north for a distance of 10 miles until you can go no further, if that is what you want to do. Signs are posted warning you not to park your vehicles on the side of the road and also one that tells you not to feed the wild horses. Yes, wild horses, the very same horses that were featured in the movie "Nights in Rodanthe." The movie gave the impression the Spanish Mustangs were in Rodanthe, but that was incorrect. The mustangs are at the north end near Corolla in the National Estuarine Research Reserve. The majestic breed is teetering on the brink of extinction, so if you would like to see them running free, do it immediately if not sooner.

I spent a few hours at one of the main tourist attractions, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is still in service and totally automated with a beacon that flashes in 20 second intervals, 3 seconds on, 17 seconds off. Open to the public, I traversed the 214 steps up to the tower walk at 158 feet, a task the keeper did every 2 1/2 hours to pull the weighted chains before it was automated. My companions, Gary, Marcus, and Addison, along with several other tourists made the climb up to the top where an iron platform and rail encircled the top, some of them hugging the outside lighthouse wall, fearful of looking down to the ground far below. While at the top I met Michelle, a photographer from Virginia, who I conversed with for a short time. She had visited many of the lighthouses up and down the East Coast, including one near Charleston, SC on Morris Island. This was her fifth visit to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Her photographs of the Outer Banks are beautiful.

The panarama on top was awesome. You could see across Currituck Sound to the Mainland and out over the Atlantic Ocean some 18 miles. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse Station, which includes numerous other restored buildings, is located in a park with a excellent view of the Currituck Sound. The Center for Wildlife Education and the historic Whalehead Club are also here. The Sound is the largest body of brackish water in the area with an average depth of 5 feet, pretty shallow. If you are a person who fishes, there are some species of salt water as well as fresh in the Sound. At one time it had a huge population of large mouth bass. In the park there are placards placed in strategic locations that tell the whole history and facts of interest, including why the lunker bass have disappeared. Be sure to visit the park at sunset for some pretty panaramas.

I could write alot more about my 9 day visit to Corolla and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but you just have to check it out for yourself. It is worth a visit, and bring the family along too. If you are a golfer looking for incredible golf, take on the Currituck Club challenge, I did and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a breezy day to say the least, with 35-40 mph wind gusts. If you would like to learn more about what happened to the Rodanthe house read this article. If you would like to learn more about Corolla and attractions, check out the Corolla Guide. Hotels in Corolla, Hampton Inn. Vacation home rentals information, click vacation rentals.

The Coastal Carolina Fair Is Near-Family Fun Time

Time sure passes by quickly, especially when you are having fun, as the saying goes. And it's already that time of the season for the 55th edition of the Coastal Carolina Fair at the Exchange Park in Ladson, October 27th thru November 5th to be exact. There is plenty for everybody to do to pass the time quickly at this years fair, if you are a fair goer because not everyone is. Plenty of the three reasons why people go to the fair- food, rides, and entertainment. Sorry beer lovers, one thing there won't be plenty of is beer. It is a nonalcoholic fair, but you don't need beer to have fun. This is a family-oriented event.

Personally, the best time to attend is at night, after the sun sets. The lights are brighter, the sounds are louder, the smells more intense. The thick smoke and various aromas from the line of vendors encircling the inner perimeters like a wagon train under attack, hangs in the air as an advertisement of their offerings. The choreographed flashing lights of the numerous carnival rides hynotize are young ones, drawing them into its control. The music and song from the scheduled entertainment more easily drifts through cooler night air. In turn, all of this aforementioned activity causes those in attendance to happily empty their pockets of their hard earned money. And not to be forgotten, an explosive mixture of nightly fireworks displays are scheduled.

When it comes to the food there will be everything from peanut butter and jelly to oriental and Italian food. Ah, the simple pleasure of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a brown bag favorite and now at the fair. Gyros, the "g" is silent, is what alot of people go to the fair to consume along with elephant ears, corn dogs, and cheese and nauchos.
  
The ferris wheel is a landmark of the fair and stands out prominantly as you approach the fairgrounds. Aside from the ferris wheel, this year's fair will have 64 ride attractions. Some new ones like the Spin Out along with popular favorites like The Fire Ball and Mega Drop. There will also by nearly 30 kids rides. Carnival Ride Tickets (20 Coupon Book) $17.00 up to October 26 and $20.00 October 27 at the gate-11.25 up to October 26 and 13.25 books October 27-at Piggly Wiggly only. Handstamp Ticket (Ride all day) 17.00 up to october 26 and $20.00 october 27 at the gate-11.25 up to October 26 and 13.25 October 27 at Piggly Wiggly only.

The 2011 Coast Carolina fair will feature a variety of musical entertainment including American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox, country singer Easton Corbon and The Guess Who. Other entertainment will include impressionist Rich Little, and show featuring live brown bears. For a complete list and times click scheduled entertainment. For ticket information click admission tickets.

Daniel Island Welcomes The Zac Brown Band For Three Days Of Festivities

Daniel Island, a 4,000 acre island, is located within 15 miles of Downtown Charleston between the Cooper and Wando Rivers. The recently developed island, starting in the 1990's, was once used for farming, cattle ranching, and a private hunting retreat. The developement of I-526 changed all that. Daniel Island now offers residents access to hundreds of acres of parks, 23 miles of rivers and creeks and more than 12 miles of leisure trails.

It has been called a “pedestrian-friendly island town located within historic Charleston,” recognized as One of America’s 100 Best Master-Planned Communities by Where to Retire, and a recipient of the Urban Land Institute’s prestigious “Awards for Excellence”. There are two professional sports facilities, the Family Circle Tennis Center and Blackbaud Stadium, located on the island, along with a private country club, the Daniel Island Club, with golf courses by Tom Fazio and Rees Jones. The island’s downtown is a popular address for a growing array of schools, churches, shops, restaurants, medical offices and other conveniences, as well as a destination for area festivals and special events.

The Southern Ground Music and Food Festival is one of those events hosted at Blackbaud Stadium you will want to seriously consider attending. The three-day event will feature several well-known artists from different genres, including country star Eric Church, rock/pop band Train, and rock group My Morning Jacket, among others. The main attraction all three days, October 21-23, will be the Zac Brown Band.

Along with the music you will be able to sample some local cuisine. The festival will provide high quality concessions with a variety of different local Charleston Vendors.  Zac Brown Band Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin will also be serving up items featuring Zac and Rusty’s signature recipes. Click here for ticket information. Click here for travel packages. Click here to preview the lineup for all three days.

So, the temperatures have cooled and the humidity has faded, but the action is just beginning and there is plenty to do in Charleston in the weeks to come. Let's do it.

Charleston's Fall Events And Activities-Ramping Up

It's fall in Charleston, although it doesn't feel like it when you factor in the high humidity we have been experiencing these past few days, but it is what it is and it is Charleston weather. Despite summer 2011 having wound itself down and bid us farewell, the activities in Charleston are just beginning to ramp up. Of course, it is still warm enough to catch a few more rays and a few more waves on the beaches, if that is what you want to do, but there are plenty of events scheduled September thru December to keep you and your family happily occupied.

The Fall Tours of Home and Gardens is already underway. It started September 21 and will last to October 22. This is a Top 20 Event as selected by the Southeast Tourism Society. Tours are scheduled Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. This is where owners open up their homes and private gardens to the public for them to enjoy the rich history of Charleston and experience the distinctive architecture built into their historic residences from the Georgian period to the 21st century.

The Moja Festival will take place September 29 to October 9. This is another Top 20 Event. The festival is a celebration of African-American and Caribbean arts. MOJA is a Swahili word meaning "One" and is representative of the Lowcountry where these cultures have been fused into the Charleston culture. Nearly half of MOJA's events are admission-free and the remainder are offered at very modest ticket prices, ranging from $5 - $20. The wide range of events include visual arts, classical music, dance, gospel concert, jazz concert, poetry, R&B concert, storytelling, theatre, children's activities, traditional crafts, ethnic food, and much, much more. One notable event is the Reggae Block Dance. Friday, September 30, 2011 from 6:30-11:00pm at Brittlebank Park, Lockwood Blvd. & Fishburne St. Admission free.

"Ghosts and Pirates OH MY!" is an obvious choice if you are looking for fun and excitement for you or the whole family. It is hosted by Thriller Charleston, a bright yellow power catamaran. You will be introduced to the spooky side of Charleston from the historic front door of the Holy City-beautiful Charleston Harbor. Classic tales of haunted places and infamous battles and the notorious people who were a part of it. This event is scheduled throughout October only, 3pm, Thursdays and Saturdays only and tickets are $35/adult, $25/children 3 – 12, children 1 – 2 are free.

Taste of Charleston will take place October 8, 9 at Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, SC. This celebration of Lowcountry cuisine will feature more than 40 of Charleston’s top casual and fine dining restaurants serving sample size portions of their signature dishes plus beer and wine. There will be live entertainment from Homemade Wine, the legendary Waiters’ Race, Children’s Area and Beer Garden featuring 40 or more craft and specialty beers. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate and are good for admission only. Children 10 and under are free.

This just a sampling. There is much more to come. Get out and enjoy your Charleston.

Charleston Restaurant Week-Celebrate Eating

I was checking out what is considered the top ten activities people love to do and the results totally surprised me. There was one activity missing I thought should have easily been included hands down and considered number one. This was the list: Sleeping, listening to music, reading, watching a movie, playing, gossiping, arranging their home, visiting old friends, shopping, and idling. At this point, it must be acknowledged this list is subjective and depends on who you talk to, but these were the most common responses.

This huge faux pas is just eating me up. As you scan that list, do you see what's missing? It is an activity most likely incorporated in some way, shape, or form either before, during, or after stated activities. In fact, you may be engaging in that activity presently, at this very moment, while you are on the computer, and I must point out, I am doing it as I write this article. This huge oversight is just all too consuming. Are you now digesting my references as to what I am all stirred up about? Everyone does it and everyone loves it. The overlooked, most popular activity is eating.

Which brings me to the subject of this article. Places where people go to enjoy this activity, restaurants. And not just any restaurant, but the top ten in the world according to the Michelin Guide, and that doesn't have anything to do with tires. You may already had the privelege of dining at one of these establishments or maybe you would like to consider it. I am only going to briefly talk about the first four.

Number one is a two Michelin star restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark called Noma run by Chef René Redzepi. He is noted for his work for the reinvention and refinement of a new Nordic cuisine and food that is characterized by inventiveness and clean flavors, which leads to an emotive, intense, liberating way of eating, unlike any other. Put simply in layman's terms, food visually stunning that makes your mouth water profusely and your taste buds dance. Number two is El Celler De Can Roca in Girona, Catalonia Spain. Founded in 1986 by the three Roca brothers, Joan Roca is the head chef. They have created some dishes and desserts based on famous perfumes. So, no matter how much the temptation may be, try to avoid smearing it on your body.

Number three is Mugaritz in Errenteria, Spain. Chef Andoni Aduriz uses the term "techno-emotional cuisine" or "culinary physics", as some like to refer to it, to describe applying science to his way of cooking. "Culinary physics" is the study of how ingredients are changed by different cooking methods and the unconventional innovation in its preparation and presentation. Now that is a mouth full. Number four is Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy run by Chef Massimo Bottura. His kitchen offers a menu of traditional food alongside more left-field creations inspired by the art world. After leaving his establishment you will see the Mona Lisa in a different way. The rest of top ten are The Fat Duck in UK, Alinea in Chicago, D.O.M. in Brazil, Arzak in Spain, Le Chateaubriand in France, and Per Se in New York.

So, go out and celebrate eating. It is Restaurant Week. Charleston Restaurant Week is an opportunity for diners to take advantage of special discounted menus, a price fixed menu of three items for either $20, $30 or $40, from Charleston area restaurants. All your favorite places to eat in Charleston are participating. Click on restaurant for a complete list. The event runs from September 7 to 18.

Travel Traditions And Legends Abroad And Here In Charleston

Would you like to have the ability to deceive without offending? If you do, this ability can be acquired by simply kissing a stone, but not just any stone, a particularly popular stone, and simply is an understatement when it comes to the dangers involved in doing so. If you are a resident of the Lowcountry, you will have to travel over 3700 miles to do this.

The place is Cork, Ireland where Blarney Castle is located and the infamous stone is the Blarney Stone. People from all over the world descend upon this castle to kiss the stone built high into its battlements. Of course, all of this supposed ability obtained by caressing a stone with one's lips is in itself nothing but a bunch of blarney, so to speak.

Still, visitors to this castle brave the dangers involved in this practice. To touch the stone with one's lips, you must ascend to the castle's peak, then lean over backwards on the parapet's edge to reach the bluestone. Presently, bars you can grasp have been installed to make it safer, but before safeguards were installed, the kiss was performed with real risk to your life. Participants were held by the ankles and dangled bodily from the height. Another sobering thought is the idea of putting your lips on something millions of other people have planted their lips on. Before doing so, you may want to ponder this question: Did all past participants brush their teeth and goggle with mouthwash before performing the ritual?

This is just one of many practices or traditions travelers engage in for fun. Another famous allegory involves the practice of throwing coins into Trevi Fountain in Rome. The traditional legend states if a person throws a coin into the fountain they will return to Rome, throw two and you will experience new romance, a third and you will get married. Depending on what results you want, the idea would be knowing when to stop.

Charleston has a fountain of its own located in Waterfront Park called Pineapple Fountain, which represents the welcoming hospitality for which Charleston is so well known, but I don't know of any practice of throwing coins into it, and to take it a step further, I don't know of any practice of kissing any stones either. However, I have become aware of one tradition in Charleston, if that is what you want to call it.

The place is the Vendue Inn and the custom is writing a letter and sticking it into one of the bedposts in the room. The specific room I will leave a mystery. I first heard of this while sitting at the pool in my neighborhood talking to a lady whose daughter was staying there.

The Vendue Inn is a downtown Charleston hotel located right in the heart of the French Quarter of the Historic District not far from the Battery and Waterfront Park. It is a small boutique hotel with wrought iron beds, exposed brick walls, and Egyptian cotton sheets, to name just a few of its unique features. It is host to a popular rooftop bar that overlooks Charleston Harbor, which is a local hot spot in the evenings. There is live music six nights a week with no cover charge. Hotel specials and packages are available including a "Charleston Romance Package" and a "Hysterical History Package".

So, make your mark in history. Stay at the Vendue Inn and write a letter to stick in the bedpost for future occupants to read, but try not to get too personal or descriptive. If you know of any other customs or practices unique to Charleston, I would like to hear about them. Send me an email describing it.

Hurricane Irene Will Be Kicking Up The Surf on The Shores Of Folly Beach

All eyes are on Hurricane Irene as she makes her slow trek toward the East Coast of the USA. When and where Irene makes her turn is crucial as to where she may be headed. The predictions have been fast and furious and the scenarios changing everyday. The latest prediction, as I write this article, puts landfall in North Carolina near the Outer Banks, taking Charleston out of the danger zone. This would be good news for the surfing crowd, particularly the most hardy of the group, who are always looking to the next big wave. Hurricane Irene's presence offshore will make Folly Beach their focus of attention.

Folly Beach, referred to by locals as the "Edge of America," is Charleston's premier beach for surfing. The most popular spot on Folly Beach for surfing is an area called the Washout, where the biggest waves are to be found. In fact, experienced East Coast surfers tend to agree that the Washout is one of the top 30 surf spots on the East Coast. Another popular spot is near the Folly Beach Pier.

The beach on Folly is six miles long and easily accessed anywhere on the island. The most beautiful area of untouched beach is at the Folly Beach County Park at the west end of Folly. There is plenty of parking, a snack bar, retail area, and all the necessary amenities needed for a day at the beach. From the park, you can walk to the end of the island where the waters rush in and out of the channel with tremendous force at the beginning and end of high tide. Often, you are able to watch dolphins riding the fast moving currents. Center Street Beach is located on both sides of the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. In season, this is always a very busy beach. Here you can rent jet skis and boogie boards, purchase food and beverages from the Holiday Inn's Tiki Bar and restaurant or the Starfish Grille on the Pier, take a walk on the Folly Pier or watch the surfers.

If you looking for a place to stay, there are plenty of beach homes with the best of everything for a comfortable stay and cozy cottages with a more simple touch located up and down the island. Charleston's only full-service oceanfront hotel, Tides of Folly Beach, is a newly renovated hotel located right on the beach. The hotel has 132 ocean front rooms with private balcony overlooking the ocean. It is also host to the BLU restaurant with oceanfront dining. What will it be? The choice is yours to make. There are many other places to dine and some have entertainment scheduled throughout the week.

Just a final side note. Where did Folly get its name? It doesn't have anything to do with an act or instance of foolishness. Folly comes from an old English word meaning clump of trees or thicket.

There Is Still Alot Of Summer To Enjoy In Charleston And Its Beaches

School is in, but the beaches are still hot. I spent Friday afternoon on the Isle of Palms near Coconut Joe's taking pictures. The beach was lined with sunbathers as far as you could see. The beach houses appeared to be occupied. There were some decent waves breaking offshore for the surfers, and tide was up, so skimboarders were taking advantage of the surf along the shoreline, skimming the waves as they rolled on shore.

Although, Folly beach is the better choice when it comes to surfing, the Isle of Palms offers the beachgoer a lot of sand and a shoreline for swimming, particularly when the tide is up. This day's crowd mainly consisted of older teens and adults soaking in the afternoons hot sun with a few throwing the football around. As I perused the beach for some good photos, I zeroed in on three skimboarders near the pier, Lizzy, Simone, and Matt, who were willing to show me what they could do with their boards. Simone, who appeared to be the more skilled of the three, executed a near perfect 360. Then, upon request from me, the three of them attempted to jump a wave at the same time, of which I was able to get a good shot of the result. Good execution and form by Lizzy and Simone, but it was Matt who stole the show.

Isle of Palms is a seven mile long island with approximately six miles of beach access for residents and visitors throughout the island. Isle of Palms County Park, located at the center of the island as you get off the connector, offers beautiful ocean frontage with lifeguards on duty seasonally along a beachfront designated swimming area. Parasailing and wave runners are available for the more adventurous beach goers to rent. For those who would like to explore the intercoastal waters, kayaks are just the ticket and available for rent at the marina. The IOP Marina is also where you can charter both offshore and inshore fishing trips as well as eco tours of nearby uninhabited islands.

Isle of Palms is also home to the Wild Dunes Resort that occupies 1,500 acres on the northern end of the island and offers residents and visitors two 18 hole Tom Fazio golf courses, 17 har tru tennis courts, and numerous pools. Wild Dunes has many private residences as well as condominiums often rented on the vacation rental market. Other options available are the many colorful beach houses with waterfront views for friends and family to relax in and enjoy the sand and surf.

For entertainment, the Windjammer is a popular hot spot on the beach offering good food and live music with a view. Three suggestions that top the restaurant list are the Boathouse at Breech Inlet where you can enjoy sunset and a drink on its rooftop bar before seafood dinner, Long Island Cafe on IOP, and Poe's Tavern on Sullivan's Island famed for its burgers and casual party atmosphere.

What Goes Together?-Hootie and the Blowfish Return To Charleston

"Love and marriage, love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage." These famous lyrics are from a song written by Sammy Cahn and music by Jimmy Van Heusen. Not many today would remember those names. Later, the song was introduced by Frank Sinatra in the 1955 television production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" that aired on Producers' Showcase and recorded by Capital Records. Now, Sinatra is a name many no doubt still remember. The lyrics were also chosen as the theme song for the sitcom "Married with Children". The lyrics play on the idea that some things are just made for each other or to put it another way, go hand-in-hand. Although, the couple in "Married with Children" defied that simple logic.
 
There is an endless list of things you can think of that go together and they don't have to be just inanimate objects. Peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots, salt and pepper, rum and coke, Jack and Jill, Rhett and Scarlett, Bogey and Bacall, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, stock market and bankruptcy(thought I would just non-chalantly sneek this one in), and we get the picture. You probably could come up with many, many more of your own than this quick list. This can also apply to places, like New York and Broadway, Seattle and Pike Place Market, Orlando and Disney, LA and Kodak Theatre, San Francisco and Golden Gate, and Rainbow Row and Charleston.

Well, there are many things I can think of that go with Charleston, and one of them is Hootie and the Blowfish with lead singer Darius Rucker. Hootie and the Blowfish formed in 1986 when the quartet met when they were freshmen at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. There origin may not have been Charleston, but Rucker is home grown Charleston talent. They will be in Charleston this weekend for the "Hootie and the Blowfish Homegrown Weekend" event at the Family Circle Stadium.

This will be their ninth anniversary at Family Circle Stadium and come together for a two-night musical engagement kicking off Friday, August 12th. The opening act will be Toad the Wet Sprocket. Don't know who Toad the Wet Sprocket is? They are an American alternative rock band that formed in 1986. Then Saturday, August 13 beginning at 2 PM, Ken Block and Andrew Copeland of Sister Hazel as well as other national and regional acts (TBD) will be featured. Hootie and the Blowfish will wrap up the festival with a performance Saturday night at 7 pm. Ticket information and times.

Charleston And Sacramento-Similar In Many Ways But Different Histories

The most pleasant thing happened to me recently. I reconnected with an old girl friend. Pleasant, in that we have alot of shared history, and old, in that we first met when I was nineteen and she was seventeen. The last time we saw each other was 24 years ago back in Ohio. It has been enjoyable and enlightening catching up on the missed years and recalling past events. Unfortunately, all of this has thus far transpired over the phone because she lives in the Sacramento area of California. I have been to California, but not Sacramento. So, I decided to do some research on what Sacramento offers to the vacationer. I know this takes me out of the boundaries of Charleston and the Southeast, but it was worth a look-see and may be useful information to anyone interested in visiting the Sacramento area.

The first thing that caught my attention as I began to research, and I should have known this, was the fact Sacramento is the capital city of California. I pride myself on knowing the capitals of each of the states and this threw me for a loop because it somehow escaped my notice. In its early years, John Sutter played a large part in its establishment with the contruction of Sutter's Fort in 1839. Sacramento grew quickly and during the California Gold Rush was a major distribution point, a commercial and agricultural center, and a terminus for wagon trains, stagecoaches, riverboats, the telegraph, the Pony Express, and the First Transcontinental Railroad. In 2002, Time magazine featured an article recognizing Sacramento as the most diverse and integrated city in America.

In one of our conversations, my friend told me about an old part of Sacramento located along the Sacramento River where there are carriage rides and riverboat excursions. It is rightfully called Old Sacramento and is one of the top points of interest you would not want to miss when visiting the city. Old Sacramento consists of historical attractions and world-renowned museums set within the time of the California Gold Rush. There are also Underground Tours, Steam-Powered Excursion Train Rides, plenty of shopping, and plenty of dining with a river view. The Firehouse Restaurant is a popular Sacramento dining spot and is rated among the best in the city. The Melting Pot is considered one of the top romantic dinner restaurants and Biba's is highly rated for Italian cuisine. For a complete list check these out. Places to stay, check these accommodations.

Golfland Sunsplash is a popular family fun center located in Roseville outside of Sacramento. The main attractions at the park are the miniature golf courses and the water park. The water park contains some of the top water thrill rides called the Vortex, Revolution and StormRider. Other must-sees include the Tower Bridge, Sacramento Zoo, McKinley Park, Crocker Art Museum, Fairytale Town, Sutter's Fort, and Miller Park.

Sacramento is also centrally located near other places of interest in California such as Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, and San Francisco, each within a two hours drive. One of its biggest celebrations will occur 9/2/2011 when more than 200 tons of dirt will be dumped on the streets of Old Sacramento as the annual festival, Gold Rush Days in Old Sacramento, "turns back the clock," transforming Sacramento’s historic district into a scene straight out of the 1850s with costumed re-enactors and gun fights.

Sacramento is similar to Charleston in many ways including its weather, with hot summers and no snow, but with different histories that influenced its growth and culture. I hope to be visiting soon.

Seinfeld Paying Charleston A Visit For Some Lowcountry Laughs

Very few half hour sitcoms have ever grabbed my attention, but there was this one that caught my interest and to this day remains my all-time top favorite. I can watch rerun episodes over and over and still find something to laugh at. That being said, I must be completely forthcoming on my total feelings at this point. When it first began I thought the script was alittle slow and the characters somewhat unbelievable, but after the actors began to meld together as one cohesive group, with their own distinct personalities, I couldn't stop watching. The name of the show was "Seinfeld".

The premise of the sitcom evolved around the idea that life is meaningless. Many of its episodes focused on the minutiae of everyday life, minor or incidental daily happenings that when all is said and done mean absolutely nothing in the grand scheme. Often it is these little minor happenings we find humorous because they are the spontaneous, unscripted part of our lives we don't plan for, requiring nothing more than a knee jerk response from us.

Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer were a cross section of our society that displayed qualities we are often repulsed by. Individuals who are at times completely without any moral conscience, superficial in their relationships with other people, often lying about what they do for a living, unappreciative of gifts given to them, rude, inconsiderate, and a host of other social abnormalities. Despite their disturbing behavior, you couldn't help but laugh. We see these quirks in our own acquaintances and if we are honest, in ourselves. I often find myself referring to various episodes when I see something simuliar happen in my own insignificant, mundane, everyday existence and yada, yada, yada, no explanation needed.

Jerry Seinfeld, prior to his popular sitcom, was a successful stand-up comedian and since has returned to his roots. He has written several books, the most notable being "Seinlanguage". He has received numerous awards, all associated with his sitcom. Recently he was hailed as 'the master stand-up comic of his generation' and 'the best comedian of our time' in a Washington Post article by Tom Shales. If you are a Lowcountry Seinfeld fan, he will be appearing at the North Charleston Coliseum Performing Arts Center August 12, time 7:00 PM. You can click on this link for ticket information.

Don't forget American Idol is coming to the North Charleston Coliseum July 20-22. Fun for everyone.

Charleston Is An Attractive Place To Play In More Ways Than One

One recent Friday night I sat outside of the Southend Brewery to watch the crowds of people go by. As a refresher, I ordered the popular beer sampler the brewery makes available and sat back. The purpose behind this was to satisfy my curiosity that Charleston is the city with the most attractive people. My rather insignificant study evolved around the female gender because in my narrow male thinking the poll done by "Travel and Leisure" based their results on women only. The reason for that conclusion was derived from the fact that pictures published in articles about this study showed exclusively women, but the usage of the word "people" would seem to imply including both genders. Anyways, it goes against my grain to see it any other way.

The female nightlife crowd did not disappoint. The challenge was distinguishing between vacationers and locals. Vacationers obviously wouldn't count since they are not from Charleston. Groups of four dressed to the hilt and around the same age was pretty much a given they were locals. Other groups consisting of various ages were more difficult, but there are obvious indicators that give away visitors, one being cameras and another alot of pointing. Couples presented the greatest challenge. With the sampler polished off and my evaluations completed, my final summation was ready. The poll done by "Travel and Leisure" in my thinking was verified, if attractive was based solely on looks. Other cities may disagree, like Miami and San Diego, but somebody had to be number one and it might as well be Charleston.

Other top honors pulled in by Charleston were in categories such as antiques shopping, cool boutique hotels, cozy bed and breakfasts and awesome neighborhoods. These results were based on what visitors had to say. Charleston was also ranked number one in friendly. Like every thing in life, these findings are subjective. I am also from Northeast Ohio and if you were to plant yourself outside of Playhouse Square in Cleveland or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame you may come to the same conclusion. Although, there is a huge difference in what you may call a city, because I do not consider Charleston a city type city, meaning high rise buildings, concrete structures, huge city streets, business people focused completely on self, and all else.

So, what do the attractive people of Charleston do on a Friday night? There is no shortage of partying in Charleston. Vacationers looking for a good time, college students looking to blow off some steam, and knowledgeable locals all converge on the downtown area where the watering-holes and sports bars are willing cater to their needs. If you are seeking a more sophisticated release the district's higher-end restaurants, such as High Cotton and McCrady's, and swanky cocktail joints like Torch Velvet Lounge are there to please. Also, local bars and music halls offer an enviable lineup of live entertainment. Topping out the long list are Pavillion Bar and Cafe, King Street Grille, Henry's on the Market, Rooftop at the Vendue, Music Farm, Torch Lounge, Blind Tiger Pub, Windjammer, McGrady's, and JB Pivot's Beach Club.