Ocean Lodge, St. Simons Island-A Taste Of Old World Italy.

For this article, I am going to head down along the coast to our southern neighbor. I first heard of this cultured place while watching a fishing program. The place is St. Simons Island.

St. Simons Island is one of four barrier islands along the 100 mile-long coast of Georgia on the Atlantic Ocean. Travelers are drawn to the islands for their beaches, wetlands, sub-tropical forests, and water recreation every year. Its elite resorts are frequented by some of the nations wealthiest families.

The first inhabitants of St. Simons lived there during fishing season about 2,000 BCE. Later, the island was inhabited by a coastal tribe of Indians who became known as the Timucuan and related groups called Mocama and Guale. They were present when the island saw its first Europeans, likely the Spanish, who founded missions there. With the establishment of Charles Towne, the Spanish influence on the island became threatened and English pirates terrorized the settlements along its coast. Eventually the Timucuans abandoned the island and were absorbed by the Yamassees in Florida. English colonists cultivated the island for rice and cotton that was worked by large populations of African slaves, who created the unique Gullah culture. The island since the early 20th century has been developed as a resort community.

Ocean Lodge, just a few short steps from the ocean, is detailed to give your stay the look and feel of being immersed in the traditions of Old World Italy. It has fifteen spacious and well-appointed ocean view guest rooms. Each room is detailed with the romance and mystique of European villas with a full kitchen, separate bedroom area, and beautifully furnished sitting space all open onto your own private veranda hall. All are equipped with large-screen televisions and WiFi. Ocean Lodge also features a rooftop terrace and lounge.

Enjoy a massage from their certified massage therapist, take a bike ride on the beach, enjoy a workout, play a round of golf, or go boating. To top it all off, it is ideally located close to St. Simon’s finest restaurants, and the historic lighthouse. If you decide to venture away from all the luxurious amenities of Ocean Lodge, you can stroll about the shops in the quaint village of St. Simons. Read the reviews from Tripadvisor. 

A February Day At Charleston National-One of Many Charleston Gems

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to golf Charleston National in Mt. Pleasant with my regular golfing buddies. The weather was perfect, in the high seventies. The wind was somewhat brisk, adding an ingredient of challenge. It was Charleston sunshine throughout the whole day. While the weather was perfect, my game was far less than perfect or to put it aptly, not up to par. I had a good day driving off the tee, but my second and third shots were contributing factors to my downfall.

The course was crowded. Everyone obviously had the same idea. It was a Friday and a game of golf looked more appealing than a day in the office. Alot of out-of-state plates lined the parking lot as well. The picturesque fairways were pleasant and the greens were well groomed. At first glance, the fairways at Charleston National are more forgiving than other golf courses, until you get to the back nine, especially from fifteen to eighteen.

There you cross the weedy marshes over bridges to arrive at the next tee box. An ominous warning sign posted along the edge stated, "Spiders, snakes, and alligators inhabit the marshes, do not enter." I think its real intent was to discourage golfers from retrieving their badly placed balls because if you didn't hit a good tee shot, your ball would be swallowed up by the natural wetlands the course is carved out of. You can look at it two ways, either the course designer wanted to save the worst for last or the best for last. It would depend on your point of view.

Adjacent to the tee box on seventeen, overlooking the waterway, was a beautiful mansion-like home. The owner was out manicuring what appeared to be a man-made beach that ran along the side and back of his beautifully landscaped property. The hole itself was a sharp dog-leg to the left with the marsh in front and bunkers lining the fairway beyond. Too short, you were in the weeds, too long, your were in the sand. The eighteenth hole was a complete surprise. I have never golfed a course that ended with a par three. Overlooking the intra-coastal waters, the eighteenth green was about 140 yards on the otherside of a marshy channel of water with the flag placement close to its front edge.

Sulking somewhat over the muffed three wood shots and failed excecution of some easy putts throughout the afternoon, I was anticipating the end to the misery and cracking open a Yuengling for a final farewell. I pulled out my eight iron and watched my fellow golfers pitch their balls into the grassy waters short of the green. I then decided to switch to the five. I set myself, took a final gaze at the flag, and let it rip. The ball sailed high into the air with a slight draw to the right. It was a thing of beauty to watch as it landed and rolled about 14 feet passed the flag. Finishing the day with a par on a tough hole helped in recovering some of my battered pride. The final analysis proved once again a bad day of golf is better than a good day at work.

 

Charleston National is a Rees Jones designed championship golf course that is open to the public year round. Rated by Golf Digest as the best non-resort course in the Charleston area. Another course close by is Rivertowne Country Club, an Arnold Palmer’s signature design with low country hospitality. It is given high 4.5 Star Rating by Golf Digest’s Places to Play. Still another is Dunes West Golf Club,  an Arthur Hills design located on the site of the historic Lexington Plantation.-Courtesy Vacation Rick Travel

Charleston's Festival Of Houses And Gardens- An Intimate Look-See

One of my favorite movies through the years was "The Time Machine", not the new version, but the old version. Possessing the ability or technology to step back in time is a fascinating concept, impossible, but none-the-less fascinating. We have only bits and pieces in the form of paintings, reliefs, historical writings, books, artifacts, ruins, photos, and homes left to us that have stood the test of time and give us a glimpse of what preceeded us. But most often we have to fill in the missing blanks using our own imaginations to complete the picture of a by-gone era. Imagining is the fun part.

As I rode for the first time one of the many historical carriage rides Charleston had to offer, I listened intently to the tour guide convey the collection of stories associated with each passing landmark. I was fortunate to get the tour that runs along the waterfront. We were at the junction of East Battery and South Battery. I mentally transported myself back to an earlier period of time. It was April 12, 1861. I was on the porch of the old home at the corner where Battery Park now resides witnessing the bombardment of Fort Sumter. It was pre-dawn. I was up early enjoying the spring quiet of the morning. The first burst of mortar came from the direction of Fort Johnson. Then the air over Fort Sumter turned black from subsequent streams of the countless vollies of exploding shells. I wondered what my expectations would've been as I scrutinized the telling event. Would it have been one of awe or one of fear for what was yet to come?

Charleston is an easy place to experience life as it once was, especially during its most popular antebellum era, because you are surrounded by it everywhere you go on its streets. It's in every stone, rock, timber, rail, window, and street post. The 64th Annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens makes it even easier to experience the intimate charm and elegance of the Holy City. The Festival offers you the opportunity to step through the iron gates into the private gardens and cross the sacred threshholds of Charleston's most beautiful historic residences. The Festival is set to take place March 17 to April 16. It coincides with the peak of the city's blooming season making it extra special.

There will be period concerts, oyster roasts at Drayton Hall, Harbor Cruise, and plenty of wine and spirits. The main attraction is the award winning tours showcasing the architecture, the history, and the culture going back to the early colonial period. Featured each day will be 7-10 properties in one of 11 neighborhoods. Neighborhoods include Meeting Street, King Street, Church Street, East Battery, and South Battery to name a few. Each Thursday is reserved for the Glorious Garden Tours, which include a wine and lemonade reception at the Nathaniel Russell House. Tickets are now available for purchase.-Courtesy of Vacation Rick Travel.

Charleston's Golf Courses Are High On The List For Golf Destinations

Mark Twain once said, "Golf is a good walk spoiled." Now, I don't know if Twain ever golfed, and it appears he had or he wouldn't have said this, he must have set his expectations too high to arrive at this negative conclusion because another quote recalls it this way, "A bad day of golf is better than a good day at work." Twain was a rather cynical man and he knew how to turn a humorous phrase.

Golf can be rather comical. On one hand, you can have a big strappin' guy taking his wacks at that tiny white ball sending it 300 yards in all different directions, and on the other hand, a little old lady methodically hitting the ball a little distance at a time up the fairway. More times than not she will arrive at the green with less strokes and more balls. I'm being somewhat facetious.

Here is another quote you hear me often repeat, "You drive for show, you putt for dough." Finally, this quote is rather Mark Twainish, but not of his making, "Golf is a poor mans simple pleasure and a rich mans aggrevation." You have to think a bit on that one.

Some of the top destinations for golf in North America according to golf.com are right here in the Southeast. Topping off the list are places like Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Ocean City, and Pinehurst. Golf courses in Myrtle Beach are as numerous as the Northeners who visit the Grand Strand. The area is home to more than 100 courses. If you are looking for a challenge the five toughest courses are Barefoot Golf Resort (Dye Course), Rivers Edge Golf Club, Pawleys Plantation, Dunes Golf and Beach Club, and Grande Dunes (Resort Course).

Orlando has been voted "North American Golf Destination of the Year 2010" by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. It has over 75 courses to choose from. Ginn Reunion Resort, Florida designed by such legends as Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus is located just minutes away from Walt Disney World Resort and the Orlando International Airport.

Golf Digest readers named Hilton Head Island No. 10 on its list of the world's best golf resorts. If you are looking for a specific category such as most challenging, most scenic, and most player-friendly Hilton Head has it. Other notables near Hilton Head are The Melrose Course at Daufuskie Island Resort and Breathe Spa, a championship Jack Nicklaus “signature” layout and Bloody Point Course at Daufuskie Island Resort and Breathe Spa’s.

One of the top courses in the country is right here in our own backyard. Readers of Golf World Magazine voted Kiawah Island Golf Resort "#1 Resort in the U.S." where Kiawah Island Resort (Ocean Course) is located. Also was ranked No. 4 in the Top 100 list on golf.com and notibly home of the 2007 Senior PGA. Golf enthusiasts of Charleston are happy to know August, 2012 the 94th PGA Championship will be held at the Ocean Course. Another top Charleston area course is Wild Dunes Links Course consistently ranked by Golf Digest and Golf magazine as one of "America’s Top 100." Patriots Point Links right on Charleston Harbor offers spectacular views of the city and Fort Sumter. Coosaw Creek Country Club accolades include a "Must Play" by Golf Magazine, and a "4 Stars" from Golf Digest. These are just a few of what Charleston offers to the golfer.

So, the only thing a golfer needs is more daylight, and money. In closing, maybe you will appreciate this observation- The difference in golf and government is that in golf you can't improve your lie. A travel note of significance- Southwest Airlines will start serving Charleston on March 13th. Now there are seven new direct flights to CHS. Remember golf bags fly free! Get out and golf.