A Myrtle Beach kayaking trip to remember! Bald eagle, dolphins, egret, cormorant encounters

My first time seeing a bald eagle in the wild! We love kayaking in the marshes near North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove inlet to be exact) because is so peaceful and you get to watch a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. This was indeed icing on the cake… We started out at sunrise [...]

Walking the Nature Preserve, Cherry Grove Beach fun free things to do

Ever wonder what is like to be in the middle of a saltwater marsh? Visiting the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve is the perfect way to find out. The preserve is feet away from Cherry Grove Beach and provides a mile long roundtrip boardwalk through a beautiful and diverse ecosystem. Admission is free and the park [...]

Kayaking at Cherry Grove Beach: amazing scenery, great bird watching and fishing bonanza

Ahhh! Kayaking at the beach…This past weekend we got our feet wet at saltwater paddling with our 7 years old. With its calm and relatively low water the Cherry Grove inlet was a great choice for out first family kayak ride. We enjoyed beautiful scenery and up close encounters with egrets, pelicans and seagulls. Things [...]

Carolina Children’s Garden, Columbia free, fun and magical things to do

Recently we visited the Carolina Children’s Garden inside the Clemson Research and Education Center, right across the Sandhills shopping center. The garden is open daily from dawn to dusk and admission is free. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leash at all times. The view from inside the park is spectacular. I’ve seen [...]

Dolphins swimming at Springmaid pier, free wild things to do in Myrtle Beach

Best things in life are free…amen! Want to watch dolphins swimm in the ocean? Save the $40 or so on dolphin cruises and instead take a stroll on the beach. On my second trip this winter we stayed on the south side of the Grand Strand at historic Springmaid Resort. Once again we were delighted [...]

Trout hatchery tour, free things to do in beautiful Pisgah National Forest

One fish two fish red fish blue fish… Western North Carolina, the land of the waterfalls, is truly breathtaking in the fall. Recently, we spend a weekend hiking between Hendersonville and Brevard. We had fun visiting the Bobby N. Setzer Fish Hatchery and Raceway Exhibit housed at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. This is [...]

Dorchester State Park, old English settlement near Charleston

“I passed Dorchester, where there are the remains of what appears to have once been a considerable town: there are the ruins of an elegant church, and the vestiges of several well-built houses.” – A 1788 account by a passing traveler Few months ago I had the opportunity to visit Dorchester State Historic Park, a [...]

Happy ferry ride from historic Southport to Fort Fisher

Thinking about visiting the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher? Then get there in style! Take the ferry from historic Southport (home of the North Carolina 4th of July Festival). Cars, bicycles, pets and even horses are welcome! You will enjoy spectacular views of the Cape Fear River, lone barrier islands, ships of all sizes and [...]

Life is good at Sea Pines! Hilton Head free fun things to do with kids

On our second Hilton Head vacation I finally got a chance to explore the amazing Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Admission is free, however visitors need $5 all day guest pass to get inside the Sea Pines Plantation. In less than 2 hours we came close to alligators, anhingas and blue herons, and stepped back in [...]

Fun free family time at the Cheraw Spring Festival: arts, music and Civil War demonstrations

Cheraw is Pee Dee’s jewel, a vibrant little city filled with music, arts and magnificent historic houses and churches. Cheraw is famous for the SC Jazz Festival that celebrates her beloved son, Dizzy Gillespie. This weekend the city will open its arms to welcome visitors to the 34th annual Spring Festival. Historic Events • Living [...]