Review of Patriots Point Naval Museum

One of the highlights to our Kiawah summer vacation back in June was a trip to Patriots Point naval museum featuring the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey. The Yorktown is a retired WWII aircraft carrier located just off the Cooper river bridge in nearby Mount Pleasant. It is the first exit right off highway 17. It is pretty tough to miss the turnoff as there is signage indicating the exit just after crossing the river. The aircraft carrier along with other historical naval craft is located in the Patriot’s Point area right across the river from downtown Charleston. The Patriot’s point area is also located adjacent to the Charleston Harbor Marina.
The cost of admission to the USS Yorktown exhibit is $18 for adults. The admission for children is eleven dollars with those under age six being free. I would recommend seeking out a coupon found throughout various downtown Charleston establishments to save a little extra money. Also consider looking on the website for specials or discounts when making advance purchase. If living in the area or plan on being in Charleston area more than once during the year, there is a seasonal pass that is reasonably priced and may be ideal to really take your time exploring the ship.
This was my first visit on an aircraft carrier. The tour immediately captured my attention when walking upon the top deck for a fantastic view of Charleston harbor and the Cooper River Bridge. The tour turned even more impressive as we navigated through the various galleys, sleeping quarters, and strategic mission rooms that were once inhabited by the brave US sailors that fought in World War II. The information comes at you through numerous plaques, aircraft displays, movies, models, artifacts, and audio clips located throughout this floating city.
To really explore the ship, I would recommend a good pair of walking shoes and be prepared to ascend and descend several stairs. Be warned that though some stairwells are gradual ascent, there are a few that go straight up and down through narrow openings. Keep these physical demands in mind if you plan on taking this tour with young children, the elderly, or have a member in your group that is disabled.
This tour has it all and even includes a “mess hall” that actually serves meals. (We had to pass up the mess hall in favor of some southern barbecue in Charleston later that day). There is so much to see between the USS Arizona and the adjacent destroyer across the pier. This exhibit could technically require more than one day to really absorb all the information and appreciate the history of this amazing carrier. The views off the deck of the Cooper river bridge also make for a great photo. Overall, I highly recommend a visit to Patriots Point.

Summer Vacation at Kiawah Island

This past June marked my eleventh year of visiting the low country. Of all the visits, this one was the first time I have experienced Kiawah and Charleston in the month of June. My fears of extreme southern heat and humidity were put to rest as we had very agreeable temperatures in the mid eighties all week long. There were actually four days of which my native Chicago area was much hotter than Charleston. The highlight of the trip was enjoying very warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures of eighty degrees. Without a doubt, the kids (and parents) enjoyed the beach and surf every day. The kids had a blast as did I catching waves and riding them back into shore on the little boogie boards. Not sure where the boogie comes in, but these little boards (a mere five dollar item purchased at the dime store) proved to be a fun way to enjoy the waves. As fun as the beach and water was, we found the uv rays to be pretty extreme so I cannot emphasize enough, plenty of sun block and swim shirts! The swim shirts are great as they reduce the amount of time spent re-applying block or sunscreen.

Kiawah 2012 was a fun time for all that included golfing, bicycling and walking the streets of Charleston. The trip was not without the obligatory Thursday visit to Sticky Fingers and also to Bessingers Barbecue. If going to Bessingers with kids, I would recommend visit on Thursday nights as the little monsters get to eat for free! This is the place to go for some delicious pulled pork served in a tasty Carolina mustard based sauce. The commonly ordered sandwich known as the Big Joe has a signature sweet donut battered onion ring served along as a side kick…….to die for.
The other perk to visiting the low country in June was the numerous farm stands positioned off Bohicket road when venturing to and from the Kiawah and Seabrook area. The produce was plentiful whether shopping for tomatoes, melon, or greens. I strongly recommend the locally grown heirloom tomatoes; while not pretty to look at, they are very delicious and full of flavor.

Did I mention we played golf? Yes, kudos to the Kiawah Island golf courses that have a twi-light parent and child rate for around fifty bucks. My father in law and I partnered up with my two children and played nine holds at Turtle point for the low price of $100. The youth and parent format is as follows; play is from a specially marked “youth” tee that is approximately 100 to 160 yards from each hole (depending on the hole). Everyone takes their turn teeing off from a designated youth tee box and the rest is played in best ball format thereafter. Everyone had a blast and the kids really enjoy the ride in the cart and a cold drink. I believe the evening golf was a definite highlight for the kids (aside from playing on the boogie board in the surf all week).

The other fun day trip we squeezed in was a trip to the USS Yorktown. This was a fun and educational visit that merits its own post which I will write fairly soon. I highly recommend this tour. Unlike past visits to the lowcountry, we did not squeeze in a plantation tour, dolphin cruise, or even a ghost tour. We have taken those excursions in the past and prioritized lots of beach time for this trip.

June is one of the best times of the year to visit Kiawah. The water is perfect and the summer extreme heat does not appear until the months of July and August. Just remember to bring the boogie board, a beach umbrella, SPF 50 and golf clubs.

Common Wildlife on Kiawah Island

After a day or two spent in Kiawah, one gets quickly acquainted to the island wildlife. These inhabitants include the friendly (and not so friendly) faces of alligators, herons, egrets, bobcats, turtles, and deer. These critters meander daily throughout the coastal marshes. Even the “once a year” tourist (like myself) stands a great chance to view them all with the exception of the bobcat which I have only been fortunate enough to spy once in my previous eleven trips to South Carolina. Hopefully this year I will spot one again.

Alligators are typically found sunbathing on the various golf courses next to the water hazards. They appear pretty docile unless approached closely. If one is startled, he or she may begin to hiss or growl and turn their bodies. If you shank golf ball on one of the Kiawah fairways close to an alligator, best to let it alone and give yourself a free drop somewhere safer. Also keep your eyes open when trekking down the bike paths; I had to take a bike trail detour by Night Heron when one of the gators was camped out on the bike path right in front of a bridge crossing. I have also spotted these large reptiles swimming in the various lagoons on the island. As menacing as these gators appear, I find their prehistoric demeanor fascinating. My kids also enjoy them, from a distance. Small gators can also be found during a visit to the Night Heron Nature Center.

Herons can be spotted throughout the numerous lagoons and salt marshes on Kiawah and Seabrook. They have a pretty white or gray coat and stand about three to four feet high. The snowy white egrets (or small white heron) are also found in these areas. The American crow also is found throughout the island and can be distinctively identified by its “uh-oh” call. These birds are pleasant to watch and hear during a morning cup of coffee on the patio.

Turtles are spotted in the various lagoons. They are usually perched upon rocks and large fallen trees that emerge out of the water. They can also be found sunning themselves on some of the golf courses. For being labeled a slow creature, they can move remarkably fast when started and will jump into the water upon surprise.
There are a handful of bobcats on Kiawah. I w as shocked to learn that the bobcat is not really that large of a cat as its weight out at about 30 pounds and do not stand much taller than the domestic tabby cat. They have a pretty leopard pattern on their coat. Several of these bobcats have been tagged by local conservationists and their population is being constantly monitored. I hope to see more of these critters soon.
Deer are prevalent on Kiawah. Where you spot one, you may usually spot many others not too far behind. Take extra caution when driving down Kiawah Island Parkway early in the morning and late at night. These mammals are busy out and about. They are not as timid as they deer we have back here in Illinois. Some deer on the island will venture very close to homes and villas. My kids always seem to spot them before I do.
The coastline and inlets of Kiawah and Seabrook will occasionally be a good place to spot dolphins. These animals are sometimes mistaken for sharks given the grey appearance and similar body size. I have spotted these playful creatures a handful of times during afternoons on the beach. One also stands a good chance of spotting a dolphin during a kayak or canoe trek down the Kiawah River.

Five Tips for Saving Money When Visiting Charleston, South Carolina

A trip to Charleston, South Carolina and the surrounding low country can be a rewarding and fun experience whether visiting for the first time or thirty-first time. The city is ripe with opportunities for great dining, tours, and local attractions such as plantation visits and local museums. The experience will be much more enjoyed when one is able to save money in the process. There are numerous ways to save a buck here and there before you visit the area. Check out these great money saving tips before your next visit to Charleston.

1. Use Groupon and Living Social for Charleston Deals

I became a member of Groupon and Living Social a few years back to take advantage of dining and golf deals in the Chicago area (as that is where I live). The good news is that these sites cover just about every location across the globe. Groupon and Living Social do not require any money to become a registered user. You simple create a login and password and provide the site with your personal interests, which will include geographic places of interest, whether it is your hometown or vacation destination, or both. These sites will then e-mail you daily specials on extreme coupons for dining, accommodations and many other fun activities. For the Charleston area, I will get occasional groupon deals on two for one dinner specials, discounts on tours and golfing, and accommodations discounts.

2. Save money on vacation by using Retailer websites for printable coupons

If you have a pretty good idea of those places you expect to visit during your trip to Charleston or, Kiawah, or any surrounding cities, consider visiting the retailer websites. If your itinerary includes specific restaurants, golf courses, and tours, go ahead and check out their websites for discounts or coupons. These sites occasionally have printable coupons that can save the tourist some serious money. I usually come down to the low country with printed coupons for the various walking tours (Ghost tours) which saves me anywhere from $12 to $15 for our group five.

3. Save Money on Vacation Events or Tours by knowing the discount Days

There are always those days of the week for which customers are charged a higher price than others. A great example is golfing. Just about every golf course will charge a premium to play on weekends. Consider booking your vacation tee time whether it is at Patriot’s Point or Stono Ferry on a weekday. Also consider the time of day as the golfing tends to be cheaper also during twilight rounds which start anywhere between 2 pm and 4pm n the afternoon. Consider the costs associated with restaurant reservations and times. Some restaurants may offer a happy hour or complimentary appetizer depending on the time of your visit.

4. Purchase Coupon Books or Entertainment books for Charleston visit

Last year I purchased a Charleston Golf Directory Book that saved me some serious money and allowed me to play some great Kiawah Courses at a significantly discounted rate. The coupon book serves numerous Charleston area golf courses. Also consider purchasing the Entertainment Coupon (www.entertainment.com) books that usually retail for about $25 but provide good savings for local entertainment and dining. Entertainment also has online membership that provides printable coupons and deals for $19.99.

5. Purchase Souvenirs at the Market

One of the best places to peruse t shirts, sweat shirts, towels, and other touristy items is the Charleston downtown market. Usually the vendors will undersell the same shirt you would buy at a resort gift shop or downtown store. A trip down in Charleston is not complete without taking an hour to peruse the market for knick knacks. If you do not see any eye catching deals at the market, the visit the Target located at the Citadel Mall.

Review of Cougar Point on Kiawah Island

Last year I finally seized the opportunity to play Kiawah Island’s Cougar Point after several visits to the island in the past eleven years. The resort courses I had played up this point were Osprey Point, Turtle Point and Oak Point. One of these days I will bite the financial bullet and play the famous Pete Dye Ocean course.
This Gary Player designed course was initially known as Marsh Point built back in 1976 during an era of Kiawah’s golf course development infancy. Criticism and drawbacks led Player to comeback in 1996 to change the course by adding yardage to a total of 6,875 yards (distance from gold markers or back tees). This par 72 bermuda grass course has a slope rating of 134 and course rating of 73 (from the golds). Water plays in on every hole with the exception of #4,# 6,# 11 and #16. The crown jewel of playing Cougar are holes #4, #5, and #6 that run alongside the Kiawah River and tidal marshes. Regardless of skill level, it is hard not to enjoy the awesome scenery of the Kiawah wildlife just off the fairways and greens. The holes are as pretty if not prettier than the ocean view holes of #15, #16, and #17 at Turtle Point. The most entertaining hole at Cougar Point is number 17 that is a shorter par 4, but offers up a healthy dose of water along the right side (tee box to pin) along with fairway bunkers that can be avoided with a healthy straight drive off the box. I don’t really see any downside to this course other than the few holes that run along Kiawah Island Parkway. The accompanying road noise is easily forgotten once you get away from this hole. The clubhouse staff, ranger, and beverage cart service were all friendly and accommodating. The clubhouse seemed modest in comparison to Turtle Point, Osprey and the other resort courses.

Like all other resort courses on Kiawah, you will pay through the nose on greens fees, so consider purchasing the Charleston Golf directory book for a discount, or just bite the bullet and play this one just once. I played Cougar last spring and fell in love with this course ever since.

Easy Tips for Skimboarding on Sand

Skimboarding is a relatively new beach and surf craze that appears to be gathering steam with each passing summer. I have seen children and teens at the Kiawah beach try their luck with these boards. Skimboards are larger than bodyboards but smaller than the traditional surf board. The beauty of skimming sand and water is that there are numerous locations throughout the U.S. where you can find t low (almost flat) pitches of sand meeting water which is ideal for skimboarding. I have seen numerous beaches in Florida and the Carolinas (e.g. Kiawah Island) that are ideal places to try this sport. The equipment needed is the flat sand skimboard. Most of these boards are made of either wood or fiberglass. The wood options tend to be heavier but also go at a much more reasonable price. For sand skimming, choose a board that is relative small and flat. The longer curved boards are better served for skimboarding in deeper water and turning into a wave which requires more experience and master of the sand skimming. If you are interested in trying out this sport ask a fellow beachcomber if you can try his or her board for one turn before heading to the store. I would consider checking out used options at local surf or sporting goods shop. The first step to sand skimming is the board drop. As I mentioned before, the best beaches to skim are those which have relatively low pitch where the sand and waves meet. Find the area of sand that has a very low level of water on it and drop or slide the board out in front. Now, give yourself a running start and run on and with the board. Avoid a sudden jump on the board as you will wipeout. It is crucial to remember you are trying to skim the sand and water and try and propel the board forward instead of straight down. I have attached a video of a Kiawah beachcomber trying his luck out at skimboarding on sand. Give it some practice and you will be ready to start skimming the waves!

Where Does One Grocery Shop When Staying on Kiawah or Seabrook?

When staying on Kiawah or Seabrook for the week, one needs to consider stocking the fridge with the necessities. Yes there will be dining out options, but there are those days when eating a quick self prepared meal is the better option when coming back from the beach or golf course. When I am down here in the low country on vacation, I usually pick two spots to buy my weekly provisions. The first is Newton Farms. This market is located in the Freshfield’s Village between Kiawah and Seabrook. It is the largest retailer of the village so it is pretty easy to find. A visit to Newton Farms will take you to some really good quality produce, meats, and tasty bakery items. The large salad bar is the excellent way to go if you want to stop in for a healthy meal on the run; or even eat out on the Newton Farms patio. I love this store because it is a convenient five minute drive from our villa or about a fifteen minute bike ride along the Kiawah Parkway bike path. I would recommend against the bike ride to the store if you are staying on the island during the hot summer or plan on purchasing perishables or ice cream.

The other location I prefer to shop for food is Publix in the West Ashley. This Publix is a fairly new store (under five years old) that is about twenty minutes off the island. The store is located by taking Bohicket or (Main road) straight back towards Charleston. The store is located one block past the stop light of where Bohicket and Savannah Highway intersect and on the left side. The prices at Publix are significantly lower than Newton Farms which really justifies the extra time spent driving. The store is large and has a pretty friendly staff. The store even offers up its own Publix brand of items whether shopping for bread, cookies, cheese……whatever. The Publix brand cheesecake is to die for. I typically purchase the majority of my week long needed items at this store, and the remaining 10% from Newton Farms. When driving out to Publix during the summer, I would highly recommend bringing along a large cooler for the trunk to keep items cold for the trip back.

Dolphin Watching in Kiawah

One of the local wildlife treasures in the Charleston area are the dolphins that can be spotted swimming the Atlantic coastline. It is pretty common to view these amazing creatures up close whether sailing the Charleston harbor, taking a ferry to Fort Sumter, or even walking the beaches of Kiawah and Seabrook. One ideal location to try and spot dolphins is over in the Captain Sam’s Inlet area. This inlet is at the beginning of the island where the Kiawah River feeds into the Atlantic. One can get access to the inlet area at Beachwalker County Park which is just before the Kiawah security gate. It is this location that is teeming with abundance of fish, birds, and of course dolphins. For those that want to dedicate a few hours to really seek out dolphins, there are a few local guides that will take you on a dolphin watching cruise . These cruises are a great way to explore the salt water community and see numerous animals besides dolphins, and view some really pretty homes that are situated along this vibrant inter-coastal waterway.

Usually when you see one dolphin walking along the beach, you will surely see a few more. Dolphin pods are sometimes mistaken for sharks until you get a closer look at the fins. Here is a fun video of dolphins beaching or “stranding” themselves along the Kiawah River. Dolphin or whales stranding typically means the mammal has beached itself with intent to die due to disease or orientation complications with sonar. These critters seem to be just acting playful perhaps in pursuit of a mid day lunch of small fish swimming along the shoreline.

Review of Charleston International Airport

Getting in and out of the Charleston airport is a pretty darn quick process. That process holds true for public parking, check in, baggage claim, and car rental. I usually make my excursion to the low country via minivan (ala fifteen hour road trip), but there have been those times when a two hour flight from Chicago to Charleston is the ideal way to travel. While the selection of carriers flying to and from this smaller market destination can be limited, I find it encouraging that the popular discount carrier, Southwest airlines has added Charleston to their list of cities for travel. This no frills airline has stood behind their reputation of keeping rates competitive and not gouging the customer with baggage fees as all other carriers seem to be doing. Other airlines traveling into Charleston include US Airways, United, Continental, Delta, and American Airlines.
Coming into Charleston from a larger airport such as O’Hare, I am amused, if not intrigued by the small jet way stairs that greet the passenger as you depart the plane. The quick walk to the gate has you getting to baggage area for clubs and suitcase in only a minute or so. Then there is the matter of car rental if you do not have someone there to pick you up.
There are seven rental companies represented at the car rental counter located within the arrivals area of the terminal. I have rented cars from Enterprise and Avis and experienced good overall service. The car rental lot is located just outside the terminal baggage area. No need for a shuttle, train or long walk to get your rental car and get out; this fleet of cars are about a minute’s walk away. Leaving this airport, it is pretty easy to get your bearings when heading out on International Drive and into the Charleston area via interstate 26.
The public parking lot is also a breeze to find as it is located just across from the terminal. The parking deck allows pickups and overnights to park at $15 per day with a surface lot located behind it at $8 per day. Excess parking can be found on busy travel days as these overflow lots are located at the end of the circle (proceeding away from the terminal drop off area). Here is a web link and map of the airport.
If I did not have a large family, I would most likely opt to fly instead of drive to the lowcounrty for every annual visit.

Vacationing in Seabrook and Kiawah in 2012

Merry Christmas! As we approach another year end, it is time to start thinking about making those vacation plans whether they are for Spring break or even during the summer season. It is never too early to start looking at rentals whether through vrbo.com, resort quest, or the Kiawah golf resort. The villas, condos and vacation homes get reserved early; especially when considering popular getaway dates such as Memorial Day weekend and the week of the Fourth of July. Also remember the August 2012 season will the time of the year when Kiawah Island hosts the PGA Championship. Rentals will be practically impossible to find if you have not reserved one already for this big event.

Don’t overlook the early season of February and March to come down to the lowcountry for a nice relaxing visit. The temperatures are cooler to borderline cold, (though not even close to the cold that I experience up here in the Chicago area!) The early season also offers some of the lowest rates of the year for rental accommodations. The Carolina coast is also susceptible to a few warm sunny days during these months where a nice round of golf or two is definitely possible. This is also good season for doing a few walking tours and exploring the sites and sounds of downtown Charleston and Savannah.