Sun Protection Tips: From a Carolina Beach Traveler

Every visit to Kiawah Island usually involves a painful lesson in sunburn. These “ouch” moments always return to rear their ugly head despite bringing adequate supplies and varieties of sun block and sunscreens. While lotions are most common, I will pause and give kudos to the sunscreen manufacturers for coming out with canned “sprays” that make application a slam dunk time saver.  These easy spray-on applications go on evenly and oily messes are avoided. The process is great for families as kids can be lined up and sprayed in a matter of a minute. The spray on style of sunscreen also makes it easier to spray one’s own back when there is no assistance available. That being said, we still packed our thick 50 spf lotion as “back up”. The lotion is much cheaper, but I will still gladly spend the extra money to get the spray on stuff. Stores will usually carry these items on sale early spring (right before spring break). I was able to get two cans of spray on SPF50 for about eleven bucks back in March.

The painful lesson learned on our beach trip last year was getting a sun burned back. On my first trip to the beach that year I was under the false pretense I was adequately coated  with block all afternoon. The return to the umbrella was met with gasps from others stating how red my back was. It was evident the salty and sandy surf had washed away the lotion off my back leaving it exposed for a few hours. Sleep was a challenge for two nights during that trip. This year, I went into our vacation prepared with a u/v protected swim shirt.  The shirt set me back a measly nine dollars and did the job. Trying to find a swim shirt for kids is a snap at large retailers such as Target, Kohl’s, or Wal-Mart. Trying to find swim shirts for adults is not as easy.  Search engine pursuits under adult swim shirts had me directed to upscale beach attire e-stores that were pretty pricey, though a little over the top. I resorted to purchasing a black u/v protected workout shirt at Meijer for a paltry nine bucks. It did the job all week!

This June 2013 trip to South Carolina did not disappoint. I got burned again but in a different spot, my head and feet. The feet and head seem to be the last places I would have considered “covering up”, but they were exposed. My head was exposed as I had worn a visor to the beach. My feet were never sprayed so they were lobsters at the end of the day. Taking away a few burns from the past few years I have managed to highlight key reminders to myself to stay burn free at the beach:

Keys to staying burn free on the beach:

1.       Umbrella – Spend adequate time under the umbrella.  Bring one or rent one if you have to. It is money well spent and you will return home burn free. It is also a great way to catch up on your reading and keep your snacks and beverages cool.

2.       Sun block Sprays – This is a great way to quickly and frequently stay protected from solar rays. Perspiration and frequent trips in and out of the water will remove the initial application of block. Spray on screens or blocks will make this step a breeze. Many people get burned because they avoid re-applying protection when it involves creams or lotions because it is such a hassle.

3.       Sun block on Hands and Feet – The two most forgotten areas must be protected. Remember to apply block on tops of feet. Sandals and water socks are not enough protection as they still allow small holes to expose feet. Keep the head protected by wearing a light breathable hat. Leave the visor at home. Also spending adequate time under the umbrella will protect the head.

4.       Use Water Resistant Sun Screens and Blocks – Opt for the lotions and sprays that hold up to water. Some of these products will resist water for up to eighty or ninety minutes. In the Carolina sun and surf, I would reapply every hour. Reapplication is also mandatory when salt and sand remove the protective screens.

5.       Swim Shirt – This extra protection from the sun will be a lifesaver for the shoulders, back and chest. Go with a swim shirt or workout shirt that has u/v protection label. Light t-shirts or undershirts will not work as they allow harmful rays to penetrate the skin, especially if the top gets wet.

2013 Summer Trip to Kiawah

The 2013 family trip to Kiawah was fun as always and included a few new activities.  The temperature for the last week in June averaged a high eighty degrees Fahrenheit and was extremely humid. The water temperature of the Atlantic appeared in the low 80’s and the tidal pools were even warmer. It is interesting as the tide recedes and leaves behind several of these little pools for the kids to play in. One of these tidal pools left behind several horseshoe crabs resting on the pool bottoms. These crabs sort of camouflage themselves by burying themselves on the sand bottom floor and are very difficult to spot. These prehistoric looking crabs are very sinister looking, but totally harmless as they do not bite or sting.

As fun as the beach was, I had my limits with a very hot low country summer sun. Day one of vacation was spent almost entirely on the beach. Despite the constant re-applying of sun block, I managed to get the tops of my feet and my head (was wearing a visor) burnt. Next time I will dedicate more time under the umbrella.

We managed to get in some biking on day two. We biked the trails in the East Beach area through Tennis Club, Turtle Point, and up along Dolphin Way. We found a few golf balls by the Turtle point golf course as we biked. We also managed to circle back by Night Heron Park. We took a stroll through the Night Heron Nature center to show our youngest the cool island critters on display. He was enamored with the Alligator pen featuring four young gators. This trip also allowed me to check out the recently added Night Heron water park which was very impressive. The downside to this water attraction is that the resort does not allow non resort guests to pay daily admission for use of the pool. You have to rent though the resort to get access to the pool. Biking back to the villa, we saw several species of birds along the trail including Osprey and a few herons.

The golfing for the week included a trip to Kiawah’s Oak Point just off the island. The course was in pretty decent shape and played very quickly as there were not too many golfers pushing us during mid day. It was a very hot round of golf, though we had a cooler of several bottles of ice water to keep hydrated. Our other round of golf for the week was at Legend Oaks in Summerville (over an hour from Kiawah).  That course is also in decent shape due to numerous rains the low country has experienced in June.

One of the highlights of week was the Wednesday trip to Bohicket Marina for the Children’s fishing derby. The marina hosts this event every Wednesday in the summer. The derby lasts one hour and costs only five dollars. The admission includes use of fishing poles that are already baited with squid. The top anglers in their respective age category receive a t-shirt. I am proud to say two of my three kids won. My youngest caught a 13 inch Whiting and my daughter caught an eleven inch toad fish. Toad fish are very ugly and seem to have numerous teeth. I was happy that the staff unhooked  that little monster and spared  me that unfortunate task. Our middle child came up empty at the fishing derby and was a little upset. He was a good sport congratulating his siblings, but I felt I had to make it up to him. His grandfather and I took him to Rhett’s bluff pier/boat launch later that day to try and catch him a fish.  His good sportsmanship paid off as he caught a baby shark off the pier. He was elated to finally land a fish.   

This was our 12^th or 13^th trip to Kiawah (I have lost count) and it was as fun as our previous trips. We added a few twists and turns this time around such as Kiawah River fishing, Marina fishing, and a half day trip to Folly Beach.  I am already missing the low country and look forward to the next trip and creating more family memories.

Seven Fun Things to do on the Beach when the Water is Too Cold

February and especially March start to get much warmer in the low country with temperatures teasing from sixties to occasional eighty degrees Fahrenheit. The weather is optimal for biking, golfing, tennis and whatever else a coastal Carolina visitor fancies. The beach can also be a fun retreat, but the colder Atlantic can put a damper on things if you plan on going swimming. The water temperature usually hovers in the fifties in February and March. That is a bit cold for a Spring break plunge. I have been down to Kiawah Island for Spring break numerous times and have seen the brave and willing go for a dip (head to toe) into the water.

No thanks, I make it as far as walking maybe knee deep into t he water then turn back. The cold ocean temps should not deter anyone from visiting the beach. The miles and miles of sand allow the perfect environment for warming up from a cold winter. I put together a list of five fun things to do on the beach when the water is too cold:

1.       Sun Bathe – Yes. This is obvious! Bring a towel or your favorite chair and a good book. The water may be cold but the sand is usually warm and feels good on the feet. Even consider a nap to the sleepy sound of the waves. Just don’t forget to bring the sun block. You do not want to wake up red like a lobster. Quiet time on the beach allows for an opportunity to clear the mind and worries.

2.       Search for Treasures in the Sand – Bring an old bucket and walk along the surf and set out to find that one in a million sand dollar or conch shell. I am not sure why but the shell selection seems better during the spring months as opposed to my visits in the warmer months. Another popular way to search for treasurers is to roam the beach with a metal detector.

3.       Sand Art – Test your abilities to make your very best sand castle or sculpture. The beach is your canvas ready for the perfect masterpiece. Just bring some assistants along to help tote the water and tools.

4.       Volleyball – Bring a net, a ball, and some friends for a fun afternoon of seaside volleyball. Volleyball is always much more enjoyable in the sand. Just don’t forget the cold drinks and a snack.

5.       Bicycling – Depending upon which beach you are at, consider bicycling along the waterfront. Kiawah beaches are ideal for bicycling as the sand is densely packed. Just be cognizant of the wind conditions. What may appear to be an easy glide or coast in one direction (courtesy of the wind) could turn out to be a very tiring pedal on the way back.

6.       Fishing the Atlantic from the Beach – Consider shore fishing. I have never fished the surf, but will occassionally spot a shore fisherman during the morning bike rides. The Atlantic is teeming with a variety of fish just waiting to be caught. No boat needed.

7.       Running and Walking the Beach – Running in sand is a great workout. Taking a jog or long walk along the seashore is a great way to get the mind off the exercise and keep your vision on the sand and surf ahead of you. I usually combine a run/walk over a few miles which allows for great opportunities to look at some really nice homes and golf courses along the oceanfront.

2013 HGTV Dreamhome Sweepstakes: Blessing or a Tax Burden?

Okay. If you haven’t heard so far this winter, HGTV is running their annual dream home giveaway. This year the special home is in Kiawah. I have been entering to win this home ever since the Sweepstakes was launched back on December 28^th. I enter twice a day (once on HGTV and secondly on Frontdoor.com). I have viewed this home numerous times observing the different panoramic photos and wishing daily I will be the lucky winner. A 3,000 square foot coastal retreat seems like the great getaway from the rat race. As much as I covet winning this contest, the numbers guy in me encouraged a further drill down of the prize (benefits and costs). This analysis revealed painful expenses that hide within this too good to be true prize.

What does the lucky winner get? Grand prize is of course the Indigo Park dream home on Kiawah Island ($1.700,000.00 approximate value). Adding to this prize is $500,000 cash and a GMC Arcadia valued at $53,565. The total prize package is valued at $2,253,565. Then there is the cash option in lieu of accepting the home. The Cash option substitutes $1,000,000 for home, additional cash prize of $500,000 and the GMC Arcadia valued at $53,565. The total prize package valued at $1,553,565. The substitute cash option is a difference of $700,000.

But, there is more to it than that. The federal government is going to get their fair cut. Sweepstakes always appear sexy and enticing, but the winners will surely get gouged by federal taxes. This lucrative prize is considered taxable income. For simplicity, let’s say the feds will tax about one third. We will ignore the additional possibility that you have to pay state income tax (depending upon your native state).  Let’s revise the prize picture.

You just won the HGTV dream home in Kiawah, $500,000 cash and a vehicle. You can expect to pay in taxes about $743,676 (one third of $2.2 million). That is an extremely heavy tax burden requiring liquid cash immediately. You already have $500,000 covered per the cash prize, but now you need an additional $243,676 to pay that immediate tax burden. I guess one option is to sell your other home and move to Kiawah full time or take equity out (cash out refinance) on the new Kiawah home to pay the initial taxes. Now you have a mortgage payment again. Then there are the excessive real estate taxes and payments for assessments and services (Kiawah fees).  Seems like a lot of stress to endure that gets lost in the beauty of that large expansive deck, pool, game room, and beautiful marsh view from the back..

So suppose you opt for the cash option. Your total winnings are $1.5M (car included) but you will get hit with tax of about $512,676 which leaves you almost a million.

As dreamy as this Indigo Park home is, I think I will take the $1.5 million cash option. Even with the tax hit, I would still have  close to a million bucks to spruce up my current home, purchase a Kiawah villa (for about a quarter of the dream home price) and enjoy driving down to the low country three or four times a year in my new SUV. So I will keep entering every day!

Save Money on 2013 Charleston Tee Times

I am pleased to announce that the 2013 Charleston Tee Times Golf Passbook is now on sale. I posted this announcement last year with respect to the 2012 golf season. For those unfamiliar with this passbook, it is a really great deal for Charleston golfers as well as those that visit the low country. What is this deal? Simple, it is a golf passbook or coupon book that gets you a one-time play at nineteen different courses in the Charleston area. (The area consisting of select courses within Charleston, Summerville, Mount Pleasant, Kiawah, and Seabrook). The passbook runs $169 (not including shipping and handling). The only additional fee you will need to pay is for cart fees which run anywhere from $20 - $50 depending upon where you play. The ocean course on Kiawah will charge a $100 additional fee for caddy services (gratuity not included). All in all, the golf passbook is a great way to save money and even more valuable to those travelers staying on Kiawah or Seabrook and want to play the immediate resort courses in the area without paying a fortune. That’s right, you can play all five Kiawah courses and two Seabrook Courses using the vouchers in this book. The only negative attribute to this golf passbook is that the golf tee times passbook vouchers are not transferrable to another individual, so if you do not use up all your vouchers, you cannot “lend” the unused one to a friend that may plan on going to Charleston area. Each passbook is designated with your name; and the clubhouse attendant will make sure you present identification when presenting voucher to cover green fees. Also, when playing the Kiawah resort courses, the passbook vouchers are only valid when playing after 11:00 am, so early morning play is ruled out.


I would recommend this purchase for those that live in the immediate area and even those that plan on getting in at least three tee times during their time in the Charleston area. (I figured it takes at least three plays to get your money’s worth with this passbook. This 2013 Charleston Tee Times golf book is also a great gift for the upcoming holidays.

Tips for Purchasing a Beach Cart

A beach cart or beach stroller is definitely one of the most useful items to have for those that live near or frequently visit sand and surf. For those that make the back and forth trek from the car or condo to the beach carrying chairs, umbrellas, beach toys, and water gear, you know this is quite exhausting; especially on a hot and humid day. Every time I have visited the Kiawah area, I have had the luck of renting a villa that included a beach cart to tote the family water and sand gear. I would have probably made fewer trips to the beach without this useful cart. . Beach carts simplify the transport process by carrying all these items down to the sand in one simple trip whether traversing sand, gravel, dirt or low standing water.

Shopping for a beach cart can be overwhelming if you are not sure exactly what you are looking for. There are numerous makes and models of beach carts with prices ranging from around $40 upwards to $600 for a giant loader. Before heading off to the store or shopping online, first assess what your beach carts needs are, and then go from there. Are your needs just a simple chair or two and a few towels? Are are you looking to transport lots of sand and surf toys along with a giant cooler for the day? Also consider the cart sizes and how well you can manage storing it. Keep the following criteria in mind when shopping for a beach cart: Size, tires, weight, storage capacity, durability, and of course, price. The two main types of beach carts are the utility carts and the folding cart.

Beach Utility Cart 

Let’s discuss the beach utility cart first. This cart is heavy duty in design and typically has large pneumatic tires, though there are other options for those that fear tire puncture when rolling over sharp objects at the beach. Most of these carts contain large buckets to hold an enormous amount of gear with generally a weight capacity between 100 and 400 pounds (some even heavier).This cart not only comfortably carries umbrellas, chairs, and toys, but usually has enough room to also tote the large cooler and ice. These carts are highly recommended for the frequent beach visitor or for one that lives within a short distance of the water and has room in the garage or crawl space to store this larger cart. This cart also doubles as a garden or yard cart due to its enormous capacity and large tires. Makes and models of Beach Utility carts include the Beach Buggy Cart and Gorilla carts series.  When shopping for these carts. You may need to search these by title of “garden carts” or “fishing carts”. These carts generally start at about $150 and go up. Some commonly sold beach utility carts include the Beach Buggy Cart and the Gorilla cart models.

Folding Beach Cart

If your preference is portable, and a less bulky beach tote, I would recommend a folding beach cart. The design of these carts is usually a lightweight aluminum frame that collapses or folds thin for easy storage in trunk or crawlspace. Some models will even fold into a table! Depending upon make and model, these carts typically have pneumatic tires, though some may be plastic. Tire features also include being removable for easier storage. Generally these carts are recommended for most beach travelers. Do not be fooled that these carts are weak due to being smaller size than utility carts. Folding carts can be very durable with the right frame and tires, though the mesh containment may wear quickly after numerous trips to the beach with sharp objects. These smaller sized carts still have the potential to lug three to four chairs, an umbrella and a few toys and towels. The containment of cargo is usually a strap and mesh bag. Frequent beach visitors may realize wear and tear with these carts and consider stronger baggage capacity or opt for the beach utility cart. Typical folding beach carts include the Rio Beach Wonder Wheeler cart series. Like all other products read the product reviews on Amazon and other sites to get comfortable before purchasing your desired make and model.

Ideal Family Photo locations on Kiawah Island

Kiawah has numerous picturesque settings to snap some really great photos of the family. A family gathering in the low country is not complete without capturing the moment with several memorable photos. The ideal island photo spots include the ocean/beach area, the river marsh, golf courses and the hotel/resort grounds. If there are no constraints with money or time, consider hiring an island photographer to capture the moment. Most of the Charleston area photographers are accustomed to meeting you at Kiawah or Seabrook to take some awesome family photos. We have outsourced our picture taking twice in the eleven years I have traveled to Kiawah. All the other times, we snap the pictures ourselves. We typically set up a tripod or enlist the help of in-laws or strangers to take the family photos. I put together a list of my favorite places to shoot family photos.


Beach – A sunset setting on the beach is one of the best places to get a picture of the family. We hail from the Midwest and the warm Atlantic is one of our main draws to coming back to this beautiful prestine beach every year. Beach front is accessible through numerous paths throughout the island. We usually come out along the beachfront in front of the Sanctuary hotel. If you choose to do photos on the beach, try and arrange to get there an hour or two before sunset. This extra time will allow numerous shots.

Marsh – Another great location for taking family photos is along the Kiawah river marsh. This large open setting is one of the crown jewels when approaching the island. One can travel all along the eastern seaboard of the United States and see beautiful coastal views of the ocean, however the sunset views over the inter-coastal marshes are the real treat for some amazing panoramic pictures. A dusk picture session by the Kiawah River bridge or Mingo Point will make for some awesome sunset photos. If your stay on Kiawah includes a family canoe or kayak trip along the river, make sure to bring the camera (as long as it is strapped around your neck so it doesn’t fall in the water). The water voyage may even include a dolphin sighting or two.

Golf Courses – Take the family out for round of golf at any one of the great resort courses and bring along a camera when you go. These courses are some of the finest around and also provide great colorful backgrounds for some good portraits. The Ocean course is one of the best courses for family pictures.

Resorts – Take a walk over the Sanctuary for some great photo shoots. The gardens, lawn and walkways provide some excellent backdrops for family portraits. Beautiful landscaping includes numerous palmettos, ancient oaks, Spanish moss, and lovely flower gardens along the walkway to the hotel.

Kiawah Island site of 2013 Dream Home

As if the 2012 PGA Championship is not enough to put Kiawah in the spotlight, along comes the well known cable channel HGTV to set up camp on the Island. That’s right; Kiawah will be the site of the 2013 HGTV Dream Home sweepstakes. The site of the home’s construction will be at the new development of Indigo Park which is located in a secluded eastern section of Kiawah just off Governors Drive near the River Course. I have biked past this beautiful stretch of marsh and river on numerous occasions and can easily see why Kiawah would develop a quaint neighborhood in such a picturesque setting. The Indigo Park developers are keeping the marsh environment and scenery intact as these homes are built with the marsh still as a focal point of the neighborhood.  This dream home like the others within Indigo Park are built upon LEED concept guidelines, which means every facet of environmental stewardship and sustainability will factor into construction.  I am excited to see how this environmentally friendly project turns out and will definitely enter this contest as many chances as I can get. Keep the pictures coming, HGTV!

Kayaking the Kiawah River

While we were down in Kiawah this past June, I picked a balmy evening to take a post dinner bike ride out to Freshfield’s. The bike is one of my favorite modes of transportation on the Island and allows me to burn some calories as I tend to eat more while I am down here. The ride was peaceful and gave me a great opportunity to soak in Kiawah’s wildlife. The round trip excursion took about an hour but included spotting a bobcat (climbing up a tree at Cougar golf club), a few deer running across the fairways, and finally a dolphin spotting. The bike trail pretty much follows Kiawah Island Parkway (getting on and off the island). One great stopping point along this trail for pictures is the bridge over the Kiawah River. This river is a good place to stop and take in some great sunset views over the picturesque salt marsh. It isn’t uncommon to spot a few photographers setting up for some dusk shots just about every evening. The bridge over the river is also a great place to observe fish and an occasional dolphin coming in to feed. I witnessed a few dolphins that seemed to enjoy the company of neighborly kayakers that just departed Mingo point (just down the road).

While I swear by the bicycle being the best way to navigate the island; I would add the canoe or kayak to that statement. Small boats whether canoe or kayak appears to be the only way to get into those unreachable but picturesque places along the marsh. It also affords the opportunity to pal around with the dolphins. I did notice the fifteen minutes spent on the bridge dolphin watching included the nuisance of the no see ums that can be relentless, and I was unarmed with pest repellent lotion. I will definitely have to add a Kayak excursion to my itinerary next time I am down in the lowcountry.

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.