Run For The Fun Of It-The Cooper River Bridge Run

Run, Charleston, run. That's exactly what it will be doing April 2. Something it has been doing since 1977. The 34th annual Cooper River Bridge Run registration has reached 40,000 participants, where it was be cut off. So if you haven't and you want to, it is now too late to register. But don't let that minor setback prevent you from joining in the fun.

The first run took place on, and this is a fitting piece of information, April 2 1977. At that time there were two bridges crossing the Cooper, one called the Silas Pearman Bridge and the other the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge. The Silas Pearman Bridge hosted that first run, but later it was switched over to the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge. Over the course of time the starting locations and ending locations changed as well as the distance. The two bridges eventually met their demise, but the race continued to grow. The run is now a 10K(6.2 mile) race on the new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

People from all over the States and other countries will participate. Action will begin on Coleman Blvd near Simmons Street and end on Meeting Street near George Street. The race for the first time will have a wave start, which will include 12 unique starts categorized by color, alpha and numeric. Runners with the best times are set in the front. The cost is $40 dollars.

It no doubt was an experience running across the old bridges, which were substantially narrower and old. I remember the first time I came to Charleston crossing those bridges and wondering if at any moment they would collapse into the Cooper. The Author Ravenel Jr Bridge offers a beautiful panarama of Charleston Bay and surrounding areas. When the gun goes off a wave of humanity will be set in motion and will continue for some time. When the race is over the fun will not end there. Music, drinks, food, and celebration continue long after the race is over.

So, for those who registered, make preparations and get ready to strap on those running shoes. The weather has been quite warm. Be prepared to sweat out all that sweet tea and bottled water. If you do not plan to run, go for the festivities and fun times. Charleston will be at her glorious best with other events planned for that busy April weekend, no fooling.-Vacation Rick Travel

Spring Is In The Air-Summerville's Flowertown Festival

It's spring in Charleston and it's surrounding areas. Winter has come to an abrupt end. The warmer weather has brought residents out of hibernation and energized the flower buds in a big way. Not even the higher gas prices can put a damper on the festivities. Stiff upper lip and all that there such stuff. Oh well, can't do anything about it, so you might as well just go out and enjoy the activities.

Spring in Summerville brings something else in an abundance. Has all the green haze coating your cars and lawn furniture got you sneezing and wheezing? If it hasn't, you are one of the fortunate. Still, you are faced with the daunting task of combating the green wave and washing your car has become a daily ritual. The culprit is the numerous pine trees. It was all those pine trees growing in Summerville that made it world famous at the beginning to the 20th century. The International Congress of Physicians in 1899 proclaimed Summerville one of the two best places in the world for people suffering from lung disorders. The turpentine scent emitted by the pine trees was considered to be the cure for a variety of respiratory ailments.

Since, Summerville's popularity has grown and is now host to a nationally acclaimed festival called South Carolina's largest Arts & Crafts festival and named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. The event has become known as the Flowertown Festival and is scheduled for April 1-3. The family-oriented 3-day event is staged in Azalea Park. More than 200 craft artisans and vendors will display their creative wares throughout Azalea Park. Food vendors, live entertainment, a children's carnival, a tennis classic, and a tour of historic homes and gardens will ensure that everyone has something to do, see, or eat. Bring your cameras to record the fun. The azalea bloom should make for some colorful pictures.-Vacation Rick Travel

Other events in the area include:
Rockfest 2011-Apr 3, 1:00 pm, Exchange Park Fairground. Tickets
Cooper River Bridge Run-04/02/2011. To register for the Bridge Run, go to bridgerun.com.
Family Circle Cup-April 2-10, 2011
Festival of Houses and Gardens-March 17 - April 16