View Larger Map
I worked for thirty-five years making brass line musical instruments, such as the saxophone and trumpet, and then the pistons for all valve instruments. When I wasn't making instruments, I worked the trades, mainly carpentry. I built my own home in Leroy and when landscaping the property, I took an interest in plants and flowers, mainly varieties best suited for rock gardens. I wanted my property to look like the Canadian landscape of northern Ontario. I vacationed there often through the years. The whole front of my property was rock gardens, fashioned to look like a river scene, filled with red hot pokers, lupine, black-eyed Susan's, asters, cone flowers, salvia, and low growing phlox with a host of other various plants and flowers.
I vacationed in the Charleston area on several occasions. Prime locations I stayed at were on the Isle of Palms and in Summerville. I enjoyed the beaches and visiting charming downtown historic Charleston with its many cobblestone alleys. I was fascinated with the antebellum history and Charleston's link with the Civil War, a subject that has always interested me. I decided it was time to move away from the long, snowy Northeast Ohio winters and made the move to sunny Charleston.
While becoming familiar with my new surroundings, I decided to write about the history I was learning and the landmarks I visited in historic Charleston. Charleston is rich with history and filled with top notch dining establishments, old hotels with spooky pasts, entertaining tours, and its beaches are beautiful.
First, my blog targeted mainly family and friends. Now, I am attempting to expand its base to cover everyone interested in learning about Charleston and the many things it has to offer the traveler and vacationer.
When I started my Charleston blog, the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine designated Charleston a "Top 10" travel destination in the United States. More than 26,000 readers voted, honoring Charleston with the No. 2 slot-topped only by San Francisco by .04 of one point. This ranking maintained Charleston’s spot as the No. 1 east coast destination. Now, Charleston is the number one destination in nation.
From time to time, I expand the articles to cover other places of interest close by, such as Myrtle Beach and Savannah. I am also an avid Disney fan, so you may see articles having to do with anything Disney.
I appreciate your patronage and hope you become a permanent follower of my blog by subscribing. It is here to inform you and entertain you. Please come back often. Thank you.