The Yorktown is an aircraft carrier packed with history, and for me, memory. This grand lady is on display in the Charleston Harbor and can be seen while you cross the Arthur Ravenel Bridge or while you take in some sea air from Waterfront Park in Historic Downtown Charleston. I have been to the Yorktown a few times and every time I go the sense of thankfulness, awe and sadness fill me from head to toe. My family on both sides are military and I have had many experiences with people who serve and have served our country. All of these experiences come back to me while I walk through the halls of remembrance that they have tastefully set up.
Watch our video walk through of just some of the things you will see when you visit the Yorktown!
They have several experiences available for the $22 admission fee. Beside the Yorktown low and stealthy is the submarine USS Clamagore. If you want to experience a cold war era sub, don't skip this! They also have The Vietnam Experience that gives you an idea of what our boys went through during that troublesome war. They sometimes also have the USS Laffey. This destroyer was given the nickname, "The Ship That Would Not Die", and is named after a civil war medal of honor recipient. All of these are covered under the $22 admission fee.
Something you should not skip when you go is the documentary that plays in the theater to the right of the entrance. In this movie they interview people who served on the Yorktown. In those shared experiences what stuck with me was the way the men called the ship mother. For them, it was a steady area of safety that could always be relied upon. To these men the Yorktown kept them safe and brought them home. When you go remember, as I do, the people who now sit on ships. Whose metal mother glides through the waves keeping them safe and bringing them home to us.
Important tidbits:
The Yorktown is located: 40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
Bathrooms are located in the gift shop.
It is wheelchair accessable, to a point.
There are no water fountians
Except for certain special occasions, pets are off limits.
Part one of my series of traveling with introverts! My husband and I are both introverts. We are different levels of introvert but find we share many things in common when it comes to our introversion. The first being our own space. As much as we enjoying seeing our family the question always comes down to; where will we sleep? Where could we have time to decompress, relax and recharge? We don't like taking over someones' space; so, using a guest room is nice but not ideal (especially if it's one of our family members rooms they are very nicely giving up for us). That is where having an RV would come in. You can define your own space in an RV. You would have your own bed and area that allows you to recharge after a hard days interactions. Beds come in all sizes from single to king and the living area is just as nice.
The second thing we share in common with each other is the amount of time we are able to be around others. We both have a max of about two hours. With an RV we have a separate area that allows us a quiet space to do whatever we need to recharge. Even when parking in a close area to those we spend time with, it's an obvious separation that allows us the comforts of home and the joys of seeing family and friends on our terms.
An RV that I like:
Now lets talk space. Rv's can be small pop ups that you can pull behind your 4-cylinder car or larger ones that need a truck. Depending on what you want to do and where you want to go, either of these can be ideal. I personally like the brand Cedar Creek by the company Forest River. I can bring my kitties in this thing and we will all fit! I like the idea of being able to take everything I love, wherever I want and have my area when it's time to recharge.
Playlist of RVs' that I like. So many options for your home away from home!
If you are anything like us, it's not about staying away from people; but being able to enjoy the people we want to see. This way we have the best of both worlds and find more of a desire to travel. Go to your local RV store and check out what they have. You might be surprised at just how spacious they are!
I participated in my first heart walk this year. The walk itself is only three miles, 1.5 one way and the same 1.5 back all along some of the most well known areas of Downtown Charleston. This walk is dedicated to survivors of heart disease, raising money to help fight heart disease and stroke, and raising awareness for living a healthy lifestyle. I went with three friends and had a good time trying to beat their time from last year and waving at the volunteers that cheered us on while we walked. Film crews from local news stations and college students recording for film class were also present. We had several photo opportunities which included Batman, the Heart walk Heart and the Stingrays mascot. We got our picture with Batman! :)
Enjoy the video below!
When you go you want to get there early as traffic was crazy! You are allowed free parking in the parking garage of the Aquarium util 12pm that day, it is suggested that you carpool if you can. According to my friends there are a bunch of freebies that are also given away before you start the walk. Those include but are not limited to: free water for the duration of the walk, cookies and coupons provided by Subway, face painting and bounce castle for the kids and more! This event is open to everyone and is pet friendly. You don't have to pay to walk and it's a good way to see the iconic places of Downtown Charleston.
Important tips:
Water is provided free of charge to walkers and bathrooms are located in the parking garage
Parking is free in the Aquarium garage.
This is a pet friendly event. Your pet must be leashed and you must pick up after said pet.
This event is handicap accessible. Watching the video you will see everyone is included in this walk.
Get there early!! Traffic is terrible for this event as thousands of people are going. Plus you want to get in on these freebies :)
Be aware that there are many people filming and taking pictures.
To find out more about the Charleston Heart Walk visit there website: Charleston Heart Walk
Our final thoughts on this free event is that we will be back next year and early!
I recently had the pleasure to revisit Colonial Lake Park. Before it was redone by the Charleston Park Conservancy it was basically a tidal pond with some cement around it. There were a few palm trees here and there, but to my recollection there was no seating and the area around the pond was very hot. My husband and I found it by accident one day. We could find no sign for the area and had no idea what we had really come across. With the improvements made to the area by the conservancy I now think of it as a park, rather than the cement pond we found. Images of the pond in it's different forms can be found here. This park has been around since the late 1700's and has it's history wrapped up in the changing shape and ideas of freedom that molded Charleston since it's founding.
What I most liked about the revamp of the park was the greening of it. Now you can walk around this pond, get some sun, and then rest in the gathering cool of the trees that are on the corner and sides of the pond itself. In doing research for this park I came across several articles that showed the people of the area are heavily invested in what happens to it. They have, several times, stopped different types of beautification from happening siting many reasons it should not be done. For us this means the park is dearly loved by many people. It's not a place that was changed solely to attract to visitors, but, to be agreeable to those who live around it. I have read stories that people regale about coming to this tidal pond and swimming, taking picnics and just generally enjoying themselves outdoors at the park across the street called Moultrie Playground.
I would recommend this area for a good half hour walk to stretch the legs. It has some very nice green spaces, you are surrounded on all sides by the classic Charleston homes, and when the wind is right, you have the smell of the sea with the lapping of the water making for a very relaxing area. We plan to visit it again with our dog.
Now down to the important wonderings:
Colonial Lake Park is located at 41 Ashley Ave., Charleston, South Carolina 29401 {This is actually the address to Moultrie Playground, when I put in the original address, it takes you to someones home. If you are using a different GPS system change the 41 to a 42}
This park is wheelchair accessable. The park is level and well kept so no extra planning is needed.
There are no public bathrooms available. Plan accordingly.
Although the water is said to be swimmable, we can find nothing that says it's ok and nothing that says don't do it. Swim at your own risk.
We could find two water fountains, so no worries there.
Thank you for reading and joining us on this wander! If you want to learn more about this historic Park, click here.
