A One Day Visit To Enchanting Savannah, GA-Charleston's Sister City

It was a beautiful southern morning for a one day trip to Charleston's sister city to the south, Savannah. We headed up Central Ave to 17A going toward Walterboro, a sleepy old town, where we would pick up I-95. By the way, if you are a person who likes antiques and collectibles, Walterboro's old Washington Street is lined with shops filled with these items. At the present, they are renovating the sidewalks and road, but when it becomes finished, it will be a centerpiece for residents and visitors alike. But I am getting ahead of a very important controversy and challenge that arose while on our way to Walterboro.

While chatting about Savannah my traveling partner, who has never been there, brought up the name Paula Deen. She said, "Paula Deen is a big name in Savannah." Even though I tried to look like I knew what she was talking about, she caught the underlying puzzled look in my eyes and followed up with the remark, "You don't know who Paula Deen is, do you." She lives for these moments. She continued, "She has a cooking show and a restaurant in Savannah." I innocently responded, "Well, I'm drawing a blank on the name right now, but I am sure I have seen her before." I could see she was basking in the moment.

So, to account for my apparent lack of knowledge on the matter, I quickly formulated a plan for redemption and presented a challenge. I contested, "When we get to Savannah, I bet you the first man I stop on the street and ask if he knows who Paula Deen is he will draw a blank just like me." "I'll bet you they will know who Paula Dean is," she reaffirmed. The challenge was on.

A hour and ten minutes later we crossed the Savannah River into Georgia and in a few moments were making our way to the heavily touristed Bay Street. Our first objective-finding a parking spot. It was a Saturday, so locating a parking spot could have been difficult, but we were fortunate and found one quickly. Our first stop was the ticket office for the River Queen located on the historic and very popular River Street near the Hyatt. We bought two tickets totaling $85.90 for the Saturday Luncheon Cruise. Boarding would begin at 11:30am. Since it was 11:00am, we had time to walk around and do what Keri does best, shop. There were already plenty of tourists milling around on the street and in the stores.

We boarded the old riverboat and selected our table on the restaurant deck. It was elegantly decorated with fancy dressed waiters. We noticed the drinks being brought to an older couple seated next to us and I inquired about their selection. Her drink caught my curiosity. Conversation continued from that point. The couple was on a three month vacation traveling up the East Coast.

I decided it was now time to put my challenge to the test. I asked the older gentleman if he had ever heard of Paula Dean. I was feeling pretty confident I had this one in the bag seeing he was an older man from Iowa. He smiled, but his wife answered, "Funny you should ask. We have plans of going to her restaurant called The Lady and Sons for dinner." I looked at Keri, now grinning from ear to ear. She toasted her victory with the declaration, "See. I was right." I quickly sought a recovery. The waiter had just then arrived with our drinks. I asked him, "Do you know Paula Deen?" Wrong person to ask. So, I figured it was time to put the controversy to rest and accept the defeat.

It was time to eat. The buffet had a selection of honey glazed barbecue pork loin, Southern fried chicken, Chef's special, creamy squash casserole, fresh fruit, assorted salads and deserts. The Captain related the history of Savannah and the riverfront as we cruised up and down. The food was excellent and the warm sun on the upper deck was great. Most of the scenery was uninteresting, consisting mainly of old docks and rusted warehouses, except for the section along Old River Street, which was more picturesque. You can take a picture of The Waving Girl Statue as the boat passes by. It honors the bittersweet life of Florence Martus, Savannah's legendary "waving girl." She had a tradition of waving at all the ships that passed by her cottage with a handkerchief by day and a lantern by night. She did it for 44 yrs. It remains a mystery as to why she did this, but there are unsubstantiated stories of a lost love with a sailor that never returned to Savannah.

After the cruise, we spent a considerable amount of time checking out all the old stores and candy shops along the riverfront and up on Bay Street. We did some wine tasting at a shop that sold wine from the Horse Creek Winery in Nashville, GA. I bought a bottle of strawberry wine called Red Jewell and Keri bought a bottle of blackberry wine called Blackjack. We had some brews at the Moon River Brewing Company on W. Bay Street. Very rustic atmosphere and attentive bartenders. Regrettably visited Paula Deen's restaurant and asked the question one more time. Kissed Paula Deen goodbye. More shopping in the City Market, a four-block area of restored warehouses and shop fronts adjacent to Ellis Square. Listened to some live entertainment while having a free beer on a rooftop bar. There is a story associated with the free beer, but I'll save it for another time. Walked through some of Savannah's famous squares taking pictures.

We ended the day back on River Street where it was packed with people enjoying the lights and nightlife. Ate at the Exchange Tavern. More shopping and picture taking. Bought a t-shirt at the Blue Parrot. Watched a trumpet player annoy a bride with the "Wedding March" song. Solo musicians playing for tips are common along the waterfront at night.

What I learned-There are two things you will see plenty of when you visit the shops and stores of Savannah, Paula Deen and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", a movie filmed in Savannah and directed by Clint Eastwood. You can even take a tour called "A Walk Through Midnight". Sadly, there is also a "Paula Deen Tour". Savannah has been rated by Walking Magazine as "one of the 10 Best Walking Cities in America." A city of tree-lined streets, beautiful squares, and magnificent parks.

It was a fun day visiting the sister city of Charleston. Two very different and very similar cities of the South.

Disney World Is Never Too Far From My Thoughts-Always Entertaining And Fun

It is amazing how certain smells and sounds can evoke memories. It is a sense similar to deja vu, but not as haunting. Deja vu is a sensation that a present experience you are undergoing has genuinely happened in the past, but the exact circumstances of the prior encounter are uncertain and were perhaps an illusion. It's the "I've been here before" syndrome. I have personally experienced such feelings, but I assure you it had nothing to do with having seen the future. Some things appear familiar because they remind us of a similar event or happening that resides deep in our memories and overtime became vague, but not forgotten.

There was a film, perhaps you have seen it, bearing the title "Deja Vu" that featured Denzel Washington in the lead role. In the movie he worked as an ATF agent, Doug Carlin, who was investingating a horrific bombing of a ferry in New Orleans. While investigating, a woman's body was found near the site of the bombing and he makes a connection between that and the ferry incident, even though the timming of the two incidents didn't corralate. Soon after, he is approached by a man, played by Val Kilmer, who was involved in a secret government project and asked if he would be interested in assisting the group in their investigation. The project experimented with folding time over itself through the use of worm holes, so they could view the past, and by such a method, solve the crime.

At first, Carlin thought he was just watching videos from cameras and satelites. He suggested they follow the woman's everyday past activities. He had a hunch it would lead them to the bomber. Then, he realized it wasn't just video tapes he was watching, but was the actual past. To make the long story short, he gets sent back in time, prevents the bombing, saves the girl, but he himself gets blown up in the process, that is, his future self. Then, his past self is called to the bombing scene and meets for the first time the woman his future self just saved, in the past. He experiences a moment of deja vu and ends the movie with the word, "Naw."

Well, that's deja vu. The feeling I am refering to is more likely a deja entendu. A response to a scent or sound that triggers a memory of a real past experience or place. You may wonder where am I going with this, and rightly so.

I get this overwhelming urge to travel, and more recently, I have been contemplating on taking a trip that is long over due. So, I have been preoccupied with thoughts of places I have been and those I would like to return to. Today, I had one of those captivating moments. I was at Starbucks and just put in an order for my usual green tea frappuccino. While I waited at the end of the counter for it to be blended, the store atmosphere and chatter of the patrons evoked a memory. For a brief interim of time I was transported to the dining facilities in the French Quarter of Port Orleans, Disney World Orlando. I think it was the sweet smell of the pastries more than anything else that summoned the recollection.

Then there was the other day, I was watching "Braveheart." The clansmen were playing the outlawed bagpipes in a tribute to William Wallace's father who was murdered by the henchmen of Longshanks. Suddenly, I found my myself, not literally but figuratively mind you, whisked away to Disney Worlds Epcot World Showcase area. I was sitting in the cantina by the water in Mexico, sipping on a margarita, listening to the legato sounds of Scottish bagpipes drifting over the water from across the way in Canada. The Celtic band, Off Kilter, were performing one of their nightly sets.

Disney World is never too far from my thoughts. I have traveled there often through the years and have built up quite a repertoire of fond memories with the family. The most memorable being the year I was in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney Hollywood Studios and also chosen to participate in the Studio Backlot Tour. Time marches on and all things change, even Disney.

All my kids are on their own now. That is good thing. As a parent, it is what you sacrifice for, to finally see them make their way in the world and succeed at it. I am now an empty nester and a senior citizen. It is strange to say that because I am truly a kid at heart and always will be. I am anxiously waiting for my grandchildren to become of age, so I can take them to "The Happiest Place on Earth."

Disney has long positioned itself as "The Happiest Place on Earth", and it goes to great lengths to maintain that illusion. I have watched and experienced its growth through the years with great enthusiasm. As the technologies advance, Disney embraces them with a ummatched passion dedicated to the idea, "If you can imagine it, you can do it." And 2012 is no exception.

Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland is undergoing a transformation and guests may get their first glimpse of the changes by summer. Star Tours re-opened May 20 to rave reviews. Its experience has been enhanced and now provides over 50 ride combinations, so riders will likely see something new every time they ride. Rapunzel, along with Flynn Rider from the Walt Disney Pictures animated feature "Tangled," are now greeting guests of all ages in a new interactive "play and greet." Two new eateries opened this past fall in Epcot's World Showcase Italy and Mexico pavilions. For the runners, there is Disney's Princess Half-Marathon Weekend-February 24-26, 2012.

Enough talk, enough dreaming, I'm ready to go. I just need someone to go with. Say the magic word and we are off. And when you do finally see me there, be sure to say hello.
Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
All Disney World accommodations

Swinging On A Hammock At Pawleys Island, SC-That's My Story And I'm Sticking To It

Looking for an unspoiled, unsophisticated, casual place where you can stick you toes into some soft sand or stretch out in the sun and take in some tanning rays? A place where a shoeless, carefree, laid-back life style swinging in a rope hammock is the norm? Look no further than the small, non-commercial resort island situated on the coast of South Carolina. It is 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach and twelve miles north of historic Georgetown. Pawleys Island is known as one of the oldest summer resorts on the East Coast and carries a reputation for being "arrogantly shabby".

The four miles long and a quarter of a mile wide island was first inhabited by the Waccamaw and Winyah Indians. In time the area became populated with rice plantations on the creeks and backwaters during the colonial era. To escape the mosquitoe infestation and malaria common in the salt marshes, the planters sought refuge on this little breezy island. A man named George Pawley owned it during that time and sold portions of it to those rice planters.

It was the Cypress sided cottages built on the island that gave the community one of its monikers: arrogantly shabby. The island has stayed unpretentious with a ban on commercial and industrial buildings, allowing only a condominium complex and a few inns to be built. Some of the oldest, most classic homes have stayed, such as Beachaven, owned by William Brigham Sr., and the PCJ Weston
House, which is now the Pelican Inn. One for the record, Pawleys is the birthplace of the rope hammock, which was invented by Joshua John Ward in the late 1800s

The accommodations on Pawleys vary greatly, some brand new and modern, others simple and rustic. The list include the Sea View Inn, a 20-room Inn serving three meals a day, the Pelican Inn, an 8-room bed and breakfast and Pawleys Pier Village, a 42 unit Condominium Complex and many residential homes for weekly rental. All cater to the family experience. Other accommodations for Pawleys Island.

There is crabbing in the adjacent creeks, fishing, surfing, and stories of ghosts. Just ask any local about the "Gray Man". If you are looking for nightlife action, Myrtle Beach isn't that far away and Charleston is only a little over an hour south. The spring and fall seasons are magnificent and offer uncrowded beaches and nature at its best. So, take the plunge and swing on down, or up, whichever applies.-Vacation Rick Travel

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 Brief Walk In History- Willoughby, OH Revisited

"Willoughby, next stop, Willoughby". This famous quote from a Twilight Zone episode makes reference to an actual place in Ohio, although not one in the same. Many, many, many years ago, when I was a very young mischievous boy, Willoughby was a favorite stomping ground of mine. My aunt and uncle, who I visited often, lived there on a typical suburban street called Chestnut Hill Drive near Willo Plaza. Anyone familiar with Willoughby, then and now, knows of Willo Plaza. Chestnut Hill was a fitting name for their street because, and this shouldn't surprise you, it was built on a hill. The house they lived in was at the bottom of it. Ideal setup for a kid looking for exitement.

We spent many a summer day traversing that hill with our simply built go-karts dreaming of speed records and seeing whose would travel the farthest. Mishaps and crashes were common. We would recount in full detail our experience and near brushes with death. Their backyard was our Cleveland Stadium. We would compete in homerun derby with a wiffle ball or pick up teams to play a quick nine. If you hit it over the roof of the house it was an automatic homerun. When not outside, my cousin Gary and I spent numerous hours crashing model trains into structures we would build across the tracks and fighting battles with tiny plastic soldiers and rubber bands. Sometimes my uncle would put me to work cutting their grass. I almost got my feet cut off one time when the bolt holding the blade on sheared. The huge gash in the grass was the only evidence at which I could point to confirm my harrowing encounter.

Back when, Willoughby was also home to a well known celebrity who every Friday night put on a fake beard and mustache, horn-rimmed sunglasses with a missing lens, blew up things with firecrackers, told everyone to turn blue, and asked the question, "Whose that knocking on my phone." His name was Ghoulardi and he hosted a show that played reruns of scary movies. The house he lived in was old, secluded, and overgrown with bushes and trees. The perfect edifice for a haunting. The house is no longer there, but the story still lingers for those who remember.

"How sweet it is." My Uncle Glen's favorite saying. He was fun loving and still is. Always a ham for the cameras and a prankster. My Aunt Marge was a quiet, hard working mother of two who put up with having a nephew around making a mess and eating their food. My cousin Sandy to this day tells of an outragous story, a pure fabrication that I have no recollection of, where she accuses me of throwing her Raggedy Ann Doll into a lake we vacationed at for many years in Canada. All a part of the memories, real or imagined.

My aunt and uncle no longer live in Willoughby and the city has morphed with time. Some years later, my son lived there for a period of time. We would walk to the main street of old Willoughby to look in the shop windows and visit a place where you could have a glass of wine and a snack. The aged cannon was still there in front of the old school and the sled riding hills were still in use. Willo Plaza expanded and the old, ever popular putt-putt course we played at has long disappeared. Next time you visit the Cleveland area remember the name Willoughby and this story. It's to the east, next to Mentor. If not, enjoy your visit to "The North Coast", home of "The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame" only twenty-five minutes from Willoughby. Here are some links on Willoughby and Cleveland attractions.

 

Accommodations-The Homestead House Bed and Breakfast

Accommodations-Cleveland

Historic Willoughby

Things to do in Willoughby

James A Garfield National Historic Site

Rock "n" Roll Hall of Fame

Great Lakes Science Center

Playhouse Square Cleveland

Internationally Renowned Cleveland Museum of Art

Summer fun-Famous Cedar Point Amusement Park-Roller Coaster Capital of the World

Charleston Fishing-The Right Charter For the Greatest Success

Charleston is settling into fall and making preparations for the coming brief southern winter us northeners amusingly refer to as nothing more than a late fall or early spring. People are exchanging bathing suits for sweaters, so the beaches are less crowded. Only the hardy soul is willing to take a dip into the cooling waters at the Isle of Palms or catch one more curl off the shores of Folly Beach. As warm weather activities on shore are winding down the cooler intercoastal waters are creating an opportunity of another sort.

Just ask Captain Marvie Benford of Benford Fishing Charters and he will tell you the time is right. The spottails are going on a frenzie because they too are making preparations for the winter soon to come. Marvie is new to the charter business, but not new to Charleston saltwater fishing. Although a young captain, having fished the Charleston waters for years, he is very familiar and well educated on the hot spots and techniques of Charleston coastal fishing. To top it off, you cannot beat the enthusiasm he brings to the fishing sport business.

Benford Charters first excursion, a group from Wisconsin, was a major success. The group caught 25 spottails. Four reds ranged from 26 inches to 30 inches. As an added bonus, they caught six sheepshead navigating around docks and a few trout. They fished the outgoing tide, in the morning, and all the reds were caught on cut mullet or live shrimp on the bottom and under a cajun thunder popping cork. Personally speaking, I have fished other charters in the Charleston area and have been disappointed. Catching 25 spottails in one morning, I would have been ecstatic.

Charleston waters contain plenty of structure and plenty of opportunity for the enthusiastic angler. Couple that with home grown experience and you have a killer combination. For reservations contact vacationrick@hotmail.com or Captain Marvie Benford at mrford250@yahoo.com or call 843-729-8079 and tell him Vacation Rick sent you. Spottail bass or red drum are probably one of South Carolina's most sought after fish and are plentiful in Charleston waters. Set the hook and keep your rod tip up.-Vacation Rick of Charleston.

The Cajun Thunder-a float rig with brass beads on the bottom that ads the correct amount of weight, that allows you to make a very long cast.  

The Wild Dunes On Isle of Palms Has It All Covered

The Isle of Palms has always been one of my favorite spots in the Charleston area for beachcombing, kayaking, and just hanging out for a day. Its beach was the first I checked out while vacationing here. One spring I stayed at a beach house off of Palm Blvd. It was a memorable time. That was before all the improvements were made around the pier and Ocean Blvd between County Park and 10th St. I still like to stop for a beer on the upper deck of Coconut Joe's around sunset or an ice cream cone at one of its shops after sunning or throwing the football around on the beach. Just up the road on Sullivan's Island is Poe's Tavern, a nostalgic place to eat.

The Isle of Palm is also home to the Wild Dunes, an oceanfront resort nestled on the northern end of the island. Here are some interesting facts for the history buffs before it became a resort. It was a staging point where Lord Cornwallis commanded 2,000 British troops in an attempt to take Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island. The Confederate submarine, H.L. Hunley, rammed and sank the Union warship, USS Housatonic around the island's waterways. The Isle of Palms Beach and Racquet Club was established in 1972, a tennis resort on 1,600 acres. In 1980 came the first of its two golf courses. In early 1990, Wild Dunes Resort became part of Destination Hotels & Resorts. The 1998 opening of the Boardwalk Inn provided guests a hotel stay in AAA Four Diamond style. Early 2008 large-scale beach erosion led to the depletion of the beachfront area of Wild Dunes wiping out the 18th hole of the Links Golf Course. Not to worry, it has since been repaired by pumping approximately 900,000 cubic feet of sand from offshore.

The resort now caters to everyone and every occassion. Couples who are looking for romance, families looking for together time, tennis players and golfers, meetings, weddings and celebrations. Specials and packages are available throughout the year for your convenience and affordability. Wild Dunes offers many accommodation styles, including condo rentals and vacation homes. Choose from six different dining spots from the simple to the elegant. The Grand Pavilion Café & Bar serves sandwiches, snacks, drinks and cocktails with a panoramic view of the ocean. For a suggestion of activities ranked among the best family recreation programs in the country check out Island Adventures.

Charleston's Walking Tours- An Intimate Up Close Look At Its True Personality

Charleston has carriage rides, sightseeing helicopter rides, scenic harbor cruises, and a host of ghost tours. All of them are dedicated to acquainting you to the charm and wonder that is historic Charleston. But if you want to get an intimate, up close look at the Holy City, the walking tours are the best way to go. The guides are knowledgeable and entertaining.

Nathaniel Russell House

It was on a walking tour I first learned about the strange, green, bouncy rocking boards found all over Charleston called the joggling board. Also, learned some of the more intimate details of the homes and families of Charleston past that I didn't get on the carriage rides.

The Nathaniel Russell House has a self-supporting elliptical spiral staircase that ascends three floors and is an example of the ingenuity and craftmanship typical of early Charleston. There are two notable stories associated with the Edmondston-Alston House. I will only tell you one has to do with Fort Sumter and the other Robert E. Lee. Book the tour for the fine points. Both houses are part of the walking tours.

Want to learn about and sample Charleston cuisine? Schedule a culinary tour featured by Bulldog Tours. The guides will immerse you in the history of Charlestons unique southern cuisine while you walk and taste your way through local eateries, markets, bakeries, restaurants, and culinary landmarks. You will also get a behind the scenes look into top chef’s kitchens and the fine dining establishments at which they conjour up their own unique creations. Bulldog Tours offer two different culinary tours.

Ednondston-Alston House

There are tours aplenty, something for everyone. Tours designed to raise the hairs on the back of your neck from a little innocent scare and tours to raise your eyebrows as your learn about the seedier side of Charleston's history laced with stories of brothels, prostitutes, corruption, crime, scandal, and sordid affairs, an uncensored glimpse meant for adults only. Also, a tour where you can raise a glass of cold brew. All have one common thread, to inform and entertain. All tours last anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.

 

-Bulldog Tours-Savor the Flavors Tours of Downtown Charleston and Chef's Kitchen Tours of Charleston

-The Original Charleston Walks-offer the greatest variety of routes, historical themes, utter historical accuracy, and the most outstanding guides in Charleston.

-Charleston Strolls-Home to Charleston's first and finest walking tour.

-Dark Side of Charleston-Take an uncensored look at Charleston's true history.

-“Charleston – Behind The Scenes Tour” with John LaVerne - $1,000 per person-This is really decadent.

To Cruise Or Not To Cruise-Carnival's Fantasy And Charleston Unite

Would you go on a cruise ship that holds over 6,000 passengers? Wow, that is alot of people in a confined space of 1184 feet and sixteen decks. Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is a cruise ship of gargantuan proportions featuring seven distinct nieghborhoods and departs out of Fort Lauderdale. Yes, you heard it right, neighborhoods. Sounds like living in the burbs. The Allure of the Sea, its sister ship, will debut in 2010 with a capacity of over 5,000.

Disney will be releasing into service in 2011 its third ship called The Dream that will accommodate over 4,000 passengers departing out of Port Canaveral. It will feature the first water coaster at sea, called "The Aquaduck" and will have a 9 hole mini-golf course. The adult-only Quiet Cove Pool will include a swim up bar and a series of connecting pools with hot tubs for adults & families. Has your interest peaked with those little or should I say huge tidbits of information?

I have been on cruises with over 2,000 passengers and crowds have never been a problem until the last day when you are departing the ship, but over 6,000 passengers? Although, considering I have been to some sporting events with 60,000 to 70,000 spectators, 6,000 or 4,000 doesn't sound like alot and again the crowds were no problem until exiting at the end.

However you may answer the proposed question at the beginning of this article many will say yes or cruise lines would not be building bigger ships. The fact of the matter is cruising has become very popular and Charleston is on the list of cruise ports.

Carnival's Fantasy has made Charleston its home and is now sailing year-round from our beautiful port offering a variety of 5 to 7 night Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean cruises. Fantasy has been fully refurbished and ships capacity is over 2,000. Quite modest in comparison to 6,000, but emphasis is still on non-stop fun and excitement. Check out Fantasy's itineraries with destinations including Freeport, Nassau, Grand Turk, and Carnival Cruise Lines' own private island paradise, Half Moon Cay. Take a 360 degree virtual tour of the ship.

The Old City Market-Important To The Charleston Experience

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, home again, home again, jiggety jig. To market, to market, to buy a fat hog, home again, home again, jiggety jog. To market, to market, to buy a plum bun, home again, home again, market is done. This nursery rhyme came to mind when I thought of writing about the Old City Market. Now I don't know about buying fat pigs, fat hogs, and plum bun, but the Old City Market originally sold foodstuffs, including meat, fish and fresh produce grown locally.

Today, the City Market is definitely the center of attention and on any given day, especially the warmer months with cruises in port and tourists in abundance, quite crowded. Many of the carriage rides begin their tours here and on both sides of the Old Market numerous specialty shops and restaurants cater to the many visitors needs and wants. Locally crafted sweetgrass baskets, clothing, artwork, jewelry, local souvenirs, perfumes, food, T-shirts, and other gift items are displayed by numerous vendors.

Coming down Meeting Street from the interstate there is no mistaking you have arrived at Old City Market because Market Hall stands out rather distintively compared to the surrounding structures. It was built in 1841 from a design by Edward Brickwell White and is a copy of the Temple of the Wingless Victory in Athens, Greece. Charles Cotsworth Pinckney ceded the land to the City of Charleston in 1788. So far his wishes that a public market be built on the site and remain in use as a public market into perpetuity has been honored. The low buildings that stretch from Market Hall to the waterfront have survived fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and bombardment.

Even now, as a resident, when taking new visitors or relatives to Charleston I invariably end up at the Old City Market like it is "Go" on the Monopoly Board. All my favorite restaurants and sites are a short walking distance. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co is there with their "Bucket of Boat Trash" and at one time offered you a chance to embarass yourself or show off your hula hoop skills at its entrance. Around the corner on East Bay Street is Southend Brewery where I stop for a sidewalk lunch and sample their great microbrews. Charleston Place, one of Charleston's finest hotel venues graces this area and also the Market Pavillion Hotel with its rooftop bar overlooking the Market where on a hot, humid evening you can catch the slight breeze coming off the bay while leisurely consuming a cool alchoholic concockshun.

The Old City Market is an intricate piece of the Charleston experience. Parking can be a challenge and patience is a must if you are looking to park on one of the streets, but there are lots and parking garages in the area as an alternative. By the way, if you see a man hosing down the street creating a sudsy, foamy looking substance, don't ask him what he is doing. Looking forward to seeing you hobnobbing around beautiful Charleston.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston

Ladles Homemade Soups In The Charleston Area-Soup Around Town

One of my favorite Seinfeld episodes was the "Soup Nazi". "No Soup for you!" When I recall that I think of Ladles and not because of the catch phrase, but because their soup is so good it makes you knees go weak, or maybe just a little bit weak. Anyways, if you haven't visited Ladles and sampled the soups as of yet, give it a try. I have been a regular customer since I discovered them and Ladles wedding soup has been a personal favorite.

Ladles Homemade Soups is a locally owned and operated restaurant filling a special niche in the areas market. Stop in at one of several locations throughout the Charleston area. The Summerville location is convenient for me, at the corner of Main and West Richardson, next to Town Hall. The restaurant is small and unpretentious. The menus are simple and uncluddered. You can sit down or take it with you. You can order combination soup/salad or soup/sandwich. You can order whole sandwiches and salads.

An informal setting ideal for meeting up with someone for a chat and a quick lunch. Afterwards, do a little shopping or just take a relaxing stroll around downtown Summerville. The old Summerville Theater on the Square is right across the street. The historic plantations on 61 are about twenty-five minutes away. Woodlands Resort and Inn is only five minutes away.

Other Ladles locations around Charleston include West Ashley: 3125 Bees Ferry Road located at the corner of Bees Ferry Road and Highway 61, John's Island: 190 Gardeners Circle in Freshfields Village at the crossroads of Kiawah & Seabrook, and soon to open in Mt Pleasant. If you are interested they are offering franchises. "Yes, there is soup for you."-Vacation Rick Travel

Charleston's Saltwater Provides Some Of The Best Fishing Around

Some of the best fishing in the Lowcountry can be found right off the shores of our very own Charleston. Just ask Marvie Benford, a local fisherman who knows the coastal waters like the back of his hand. When not working you will find him cruising the big blue looking for the next big strike. But with today's technology finding it can be easy, the challenge is catching it. No problem for Marvie. If it lives in the ocean and has gills and scales he will find it and catch it.

When I first came to Charleston I spent three hundred dollars for a fishing charter that took us around the inner coastal waters of the Isle of Palms. It turned out to be a huge disappointment because we didn't get a single strike, not even a nibble the whole three hours. The guide even tried for some shark and we still came up empty handed. "We are going to catch something?", was the constant inquiry. Probably could have caught something right off the pier for the price of a dozen shrimp or a bucket of menhaden where the boat was moored. The disappointment was not due to the fact there wasn't any fish, there was plenty of fish. It unfortunately was our guide whom we came to find out was from Boston and new to the area.

Three years later I was invited to go on another charter. This time it was free because my friend payed for it, so if I didn't catch anything, at least I wouldn't feel like I just got my pockets picked. As we headed down to the pier the boat came into view and it looked eerily familiar. Lo and behold, it was the same guide. I didn't say a word about our previous encounter, but the look of concern on my face was evident to my friend. At least this time he looked more like a fishing guide than a salesman from Boston and we did catch alot of shark that day trailing behind the shrimp trollers combing the waters in the bay. So, the lesson learned is make sure you get a good charter with an experienced guide like Marvie, and you will not be disappointed.

Spot-tail Bass are probably one of South Carolina's most sought after fish and are plentiful in Charleston waters. Spanish Mackerel arrive in the spring and stay until fall. From spring through fall, the Flounder is a highly prized catch. King Mackerel are excellent fighters on light tackle and are caught trolling the offshore structure and wrecks. The Jack Crevalle show up in Charleston around the beginning of June. Other species are Bluefish, Bonito, Spotted Seatrout, and Sheepshead. Set the hook and keep your rod tip up. For detailed information on fishing in Charleston and a list of charters visit Charleston Fishing.-Vacation Rick Travel

A Folly Good Time-Folly Beach, SC Near Charleston

Top down, drive to the beach weather is here. Folly Beach is a favorite destination for sun bathers and surfers alike. Locals refer to it as the "Edge of America", which makes sense since it is on the coast of Eastern United States. It is more than just sand to park yourself on to get a tan or a place to catch a curl in the wild blue. It is rich with history, good food, and good times.

When we think of the word folly, foolishness comes to mind as a likely meaning. But folly actually is an English word meaning an area of dense foliage. Folly was referred to as "Coffin Land" on a 1780 map, but a map dated 1800 shows "Coffin Land" as the western end of Folly Island where the State Park is now. It was customary for ships with plague or cholera victims to leave the ill travelers on barrier islands before they entered the Charleston port and pick them up later if they were still alive.

The ship Amelia wrecked on Folly Island while sailing from New York to New Orleans in 1832. In 1930’s the new Atlantic Pavilion, Boardwalk, Pier and Oceanfront Hotel were built, but in 1957 The Oceanfront Hotel and Pavilion and Joe’s Restaurant burned. The Holiday Inn was built on the spot. The island played a part in the Civil War--first shots of the American Civil War fired by Citatel Cadets on Morris Island. The first surfboard on the island was introduced by Pat Thomas.

Now the fun begins. If you like to fish, there is a 1,045 foot fishing pier that hosts fishing tournament and you can rent everything you need at the shop on the Pier. There is plenty of sand to place your towel or chair upon to take in the rays or read a book. If you are so inclined, take a walk to the tip of the island past the state park and watch the fast moving currents flow in and out of the channel. You may catch a glimpse of a dolphin cruising the rapidly surging waters appearing as if it is stationary in the current. If you have a boat or a jet ski, beach it on the backside of the island and have a picnic. The surfing is some of the best on the east coast and Folly hosts a number of surf events throughout the year.

Looking for a place to stay for more than a day? Accommodations range from charming cottages, modern beach houses, to affordable condominiums and a luxury hotel. You can stay at Water's Edge Inn; top rated by Conde Nast Traveler, or the Tides; Charleston's only full-service oceanfront hotel. Also, plenty of ocean front vacation homes to choose from for the all-around package.

When hunger strikes you after a day on the beach there are a variety of restaurants such as Rita's Seaside Grille, Locklear's Beach City Grill, Folly Beach Crab Shack, and BLU Restaurant with an ocean view and delectable food. Folly Beach recreational activities include kayaking, jet ski rentals, parasailing, boat charters, and whatever else.

Charleston is only minutes away with one of America’s premier downtown historic districts. Angel Oak Park, just a short drive from Folly Beach, is home to "the oldest tree east of the Mississippi." Well, you get the picture. Visit Folly Beach for a day or a week. You may see me there, Vacation Rick. Please don't forget to say hello, southern style.

Cypress Gardens In Berkeley County, SC-Nature And A Movie

When I moved to the Summerville area of South Carolina and first heard the name Cypress Gardens mentioned as a place to visit, Florida automatically came to mind. Little did I know, at the time, there was a Cypress Gardens right here in the surrounding area of Charleston. So, I checked it out. No glass bottom boats will you find there and if you are also thinking the Florida connection, I have come to learn the Cypress Gardens of Florida is now closed, but the Cypress Gardens of South Carolina, is alive and doing great.

Spring is an ideal time to visit Cypress Gardens with its beautiful azaleas in bloom along with a host of other wildflowers common to the area. Birds and butterflies too numerous to mention in a blog also begin to make their presense known as the weather begins to warm in the month of March and continuing on into April when the azaleas are at their peek and the dogwoods abundant with color. Every month from there on out will bring its own steady procession of plants in bloom and new arrivals of the bird kingdom as well as butterflies and a host of other wildlife, including the earth-shaking bellowings of the territorial, breeding alligator in June.

Cypress Gardens is composed of approximately 80 acres of open swamp filled with bald cypress and water tupelo trees and 3.5 miles of beautiful nature trails for you to explore. Flat-bottom boats that hold 4-6 people are provided for your use to be paddled along a marked route through the shallow swamp. You can listen to a guide tell about the swamps history and its aquatic residents. A large greenhouse called the Butterfly House filled with flowering plants, live butterflies, birds, a pond, an arthropod exhibit, and an observation beehive is located on sight along with the Swamparium, an aquarium/reptile center, with tanks and terrariums featuring fish, amphibians, and reptiles (including venomous snakes) native to the swamp and nearby waterways. As you leisurely walk the trails you will find interpretive and plant identification signs all along their route widing around the black water swamp.

Cypress Gardens has been featured in numerous national magazines. It has hosted over 16 major movies and television series. While taking the guided tour through the swamp I learned various swamp scenes in the movie, "The Patriot", were filmed there. Other notable movies were "North and South", "Cold Mountain", and "The Notebook". On the humerous side, who would have thought "Swamp Thing" was also filmed in its swamp. Go figure. Engage yourself in a challenge. Visit Cypress Gardens and then rent the movies out to see if you can identify those particular scenes.

Beautiful Cypress Gardens in Berkeley County, South Carolina is worth your time and be sure to bring your camera. Check upcoming events, admission, and directions. Located at 3030 Cypress Gardens Rd., Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Phone: 843-553-0515.-Vacation Rick Travel