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.

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.