What is Wanderlust?

What is wanderlust? Oxford dictionary describes it as a, "strong desire to travel", with use begining in the early 20th century as a German word. Merriam Webster has an even better definition of wanderlust: "a strong longing or impulse toward wandering". I love this definition because it brings into the equation the definite physical pull towards wandering away through the world that I feel. Merriam webster also puts the first usage of the word in 1875. While looking up the definition I found a site with other words that help to define what goes on in a mind like mine. My favorite one is also german, it is:
Fernweh (n.)
Origin: German
An ache for distance places; the craving for travel

This mixed with the Merriam Webster definition I think is the best way to describe what it means when I say the wanderlust has me and I can't wait to get out of here! :D There are many places I want to go, just because I haven't been. Do you ever look down the road and feel you could just keep going? Are you ok with leaving everything behind for adventure? Do you want to see a place, no matter how glamorous or developed? (maybe even it is better if it's just a forest :) ) Then you too may be struck with Fernweh or wanderlust!

How does this effect us? Well, like I've said before I have to do it or I get real grumpy! lol You could compare it to the same drive you feel to eat or sleep. The same drive that you have to create or bond. It just one more driving factor in our lives that determines how we live our life. Because of this I'm not interested in fancy living spaces, just ones that move with me. I'm not interested in having lots of things, but things that help me get down the road like a well maintained vehicle and something to sleep in while I move from place to place.

We've talked about the Introvert Cave before and how we believe this will give us the best chance of seeing the length and breadth of this country we love so much. We both want to see places across the pond, but seeing the amazing landscape of our home is where we are starting. This is just the begining of our travel life. We are so happy you are with us as we settle our wanderlust!

List of words that can also describe wanderlust: http://www.geckosadventures.com/tales/24-inspiring-travel-words-youve-never-heard-of/
Merriam Websters definition of wanderlust: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wanderlust

Our Store: http://www.zazzle.com/sleepybluekitty/products
X: Introverted Traveler
Instagram: Introverted Traveler

Why we travel debt free and how you can do it too

Today we're talking about traveling debt free! We'll be going over two reasons we want to do it this way, a story about why debt lets you down and how you can travel debt free!

Reason 1: We're Christians and the bible says it's not the best. The one that is heard the most is Proverbs 22:7 that says, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender."
Reason 2: When you purchase something with debt it doesn't belong to you. It belongs to whoever you borrowed money from to make the purchase. For example: when you purchase a home traditionally, you get a mortgage and then purchase the home with the amount the bank says you qualify for. Until you pay the bank back, your home technically belongs to them and you can lose it. We want to purchase something and have it be ours. That's another reason we want to do the cargo trailer. They are built the same quality or better as rv's, they cost less and we can design it the way we want it.

Story: When my dad was younger he would travel around and use a credit card instead of taking cash. He would pay it off later. On one of his trips the whole credit card system went down for about a week (if I remember correctly), he did have a bit of cash to get back home. Cash saved the day!

How to travel debt free:

Utilize the free events and parks in your area. This doesn't sound very spectacular, but they are a great way to get out and explore. Most of the travel we do utilize these two things. This is especially good if you have kids and just want to get them out of the house and create some great memories. One of my favorite memories was an over night camping trip we took with my dad to the middle of nowhere.

Be frugal. A budget each month or even each time you get payed helps you see where your money is going and helps you control it. Coupons, discount racks, and some sales can help keep you under budget and set aside that money for travel.

Save. I've mentioned this before but just sitting down and calculating how much it would cost, like a travel budget, and then saving towards that goal. What's great about this is that it can be a big goal or little goal, wherever it is you want to go. I've met a couple who save two months worth of bills and however much they needed to go on their trip. This way, they go on the trip they want to go on and don't have to worry about whether or not the bills would be payed.

That's all I've got for today guys, thanks for joining us we really appreciate it! See ya next time :)

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sleepybluekitty
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sleepybluekitty
Instagram: @sleepybluekitty

Why Knowing Laws and Getting Engaged matters

Today I want to talk about why staying informed about the laws in not only your area, but the country is important. Here is a quote from RoadTreking.com about find free places to park overnight and how these places are slowly going away due to legislation.
"What so many of us object to are discriminatory laws and local ordinances that prohibit traveling RVers from overnighting in places like rest areas, Wal-Mart parking lots and other places. I'm not talking about setting up camp, putting out the chairs, starting a campfire. I'm talking about spending a few hours sleeping overnight before hitting the road again as we are on our way somewhere. Often, we're on our way to a campground where we'll stay for several days. Overnight Parking is not camping, it's parking. Lots of places welcome us. Wal-mart company policy, for example, is to allow overnight RV parking. Sam Walton, the founder, was an RVer and also realized that the RVers who overnighted in his lot bought groceries and supplies from his store. But corporate policy is trumped when a local ordinance bans overnight parking."
http://roadtreking.com/finding-free-places-overnight-in-rv/

Whether we are talking about camping or larger issues, staying up to date on the laws of a country, state, city or town is important. I think it's also important we realize where these laws are coming from. Who wants to put these laws into place? Do they want to help people or does the law create problems? In the example I just read larger camp grounds like KOA are getting together and attempting to make this law everywhere. This way no matter what you are doing, you have to stay in a camp site.

I'm a small government conservative and where I can understand the desire to keep people from stopping over in a neighborhood, stopping for a few hours at a rest stop shouldn't be prohibited. Isn't that what we are constantly encouraged to do? If you feel sleepy; stop and rest. Better to stop and rest than be on the road endangering people. Isn't that why rest stops were created?

When it comes to businesses allowing over night stops, shouldn't that be allowed according to the business policy? I'm not a fan of creating laws just to line pockets or because someone just feels the need for it. Instead I would like to see the camp sites be creative and provide the service that Wal-Mart does. Make a place to stay over night where I can also load up or get a bite to eat. I wold be more likely to patronize your camp grounds if I have this good interaction in the first place.

Being able to maintain freedom in your area is why it's so important to pay attention to what laws are being passed and who we are putting into office to pass or reject those laws. Ultimately we are the guardians of our own freedom. What do you guys think?

Our Store: http://www.zazzle.com/sleepybluekitty/products
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sleepybluekitty
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sleepybluekitty
Instagram: @sleepybluekitty

Story time | We were followed, stay safe while traveling!

So, one of our first trips we went to Savannah Georgia to experience their river walk. After walking around looking like tourist for about half an hour, I noticed a person walking behind us and stopping to sit and watch us. Not completely weird, for all I know he likes to people watch, same as me. I continued to keep an eye on him while we walked and my husband took pictures. By this time we made it to the restuarant/shopping/hotel covered area and this guy had been ducking behind trees and sitting and waiting then following us after we had walked a bit. I don't know who this guy is or what his intentions are, so we walk past the covered area and duck into a shop and wait. When we walk back out he's gone and we continue the rest of our journey, keeping our eyes open for him or anyone else who would do the same thing. The thing for you guys to keep in mind is to always keep a weather eye out for the people who are looking to hurt you. My dad taught me to always be aware of my surroundings, to travel armed and in a group of trusted people (if you can find them). Listening to that advice kept us from who knows what with this guy. Just remember to always be aware of your surroundings. Just take a minute and look around. What do you see? Can you see the potential for harm? If you do or you become uncomfortable, just leave, you can always come back again if you want to.

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/sleepybluekitty
Our Store: http://www.zazzle.com/sleepybluekitty/products
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sleepybluekitty
Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/sleepybluekitty
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sleepybluekitty
Instagram: @sleepybluekitty

Wanderlust and Disappointment

We recently visited Finlay Park in Columbia South Carolina. It's a beautiful park with many sitting areas. You can enjoy the breeze and the sun set while listening to the squirrels scurry across trees and the fountain splash water on the man made lake. Although it's cooler weather made for an excellent break from the heat and humidity of Charleston, we did run into some disappointment on this wander. We went here specifically to see the waterfall fountain they had created. We did some research before leaving, but during our digging didn't see that the fountain had been broken for a year. Sometimes you can do research and still not know how things are until you get there. That's part of the wonder of travel as well, your eyes are opened to how things really are.
That brings me to the second, but different, disappointment. During the research phase of our wander we saw comments that the homeless utilize the park and what we saw when we got there broke my heart, but in a way also revitalized it. When you walk the park there are the expected locals and kids that have nowhere to else to go. When we came to the second stage they have we saw at least two lines of people sleeping. You could tell by the state of their clothes and the bags they were carrying they have been homeless for awhile. While walking through we saw what appeared to be a recent vet scoping out a place to sit with only his pack and some water. He looked as though he had been without a roof over his head in awhile. We also saw the homeless in the tree seating for the grass island stage.
These are the people touched by disappointment, by hard times and forgotten futures. Seeing them reminded me that the human spirit, although crushed, can be revitilized when we help each other. So, I was reminded that when you travel through this life to help your fellow man. Don't be part of the disappointment that others go through, but instead be part of the rekindling of the human spirit that exists in us all. You can do this by volunteering time or money to outreach programs and through prayer God can lead you to the right place. I think it's important to remember when we wander that disappointments are part of life, it's what we do about them that determines whether it's a lesson or a pit.

Our Store: http://www.zazzle.com/sleepybluekitty/products
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sleepybluekitty
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sleepybluekitty
Instagram: @sleepybluekitty

Introverted Traveler | Travel IS for everyone a response to Sian Ferguson on Matador Network

I think what bothered me the most about this article was the negative tone of it all. You can't, you can't, you can't; when people have been over coming you can'ts for as long as the human race has been around.

1. When you don’t come from money, the idea of travel rarely ever crosses your mind.
Response: I do not come from money. I have been so poor that many times I ate once a day and I have also been homeless. I never believed anything was out of my reach. If anything the poverty levels that i experienced drove me to work hard to reach my goals. If that meant working extra shifts or sacrificing what I want in the "now" to reach those goals, that is what I did.

2. “Traveling on a budget” doesn’t always cut it.
"At this point, you might point me to a guide on how to travel on a budget. For sure, some of those money-saving tips are super useful – but they seldom cover airfare, passports, and other unavoidable costs. They also don’t account for the money you lose out on when you take time off work to travel."
Response: Traveling on a budget DOES always cut it. You must take your budget and add travel in. You can reasonably predict what it will cost you in gas and food to do something. There are several ways to budget for travel. I met a couple who saved a pay checks amout of money to cover the bills while they were gone so they didn't have to worry about being able to pay them. Then saved for the travel event itself. They traveled every 2 years to wherever they wanted. Think about where you can save money and then put that money aside toward your travel goals. Another way to do this is to live simply and save as much as you can for several years. That's only 3 ways, but there are more and I may do a video on that.

3. The ability to travel depends on your level of privilege.
"Having a disability, whether physical or mental, can make it incredibly hard to visit new places."
Response: *buzzer to the negative* I will give it to this writer that disabilities make it difficult, I would however, draw the line at incredibly hard. Again, this is just one more hurtle for you to overcome. Many if not all places that you can visit are handicap accessable. They are also handicap accomidating as long as they know you are in need. As far as the transgender issue; don't go places that would be detrimental to your health to go. There are places I will not go because I am a woman and just don't want to risk it. We all have to make those decisions. I would love to climb Everest; will I? No. Why? Because my asthma and physical ailments prevent me from doing so. Staying safe is just as important as the other things I have discussed in this video. Planning your trip is a must, but that doesn't make it incredibly hard. I personally know several people in wheel chairs that participate in charity walks, travel state to state and have been across the pond. If you set your mind to things, plan and save you can make your goals happen. Will you be traveling every week? Probably not. Will you get to where you want to go? Definitely!

Link for reference: https://matadornetwork.com/life/lets-stop-pretending-travel-accessible-everyone/

Our Store: http://www.zazzle.com/sleepybluekitty/products
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sleepybluekitty
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sleepybluekitty
Instagram: @sleepybluekitty

The Yorktown at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant

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.

A post shared by Eisling (@sleepybluekitty) on Jan 11, 2017 at 9:21pm PST

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:

1. The Yorktown is located: 40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
2. Bathrooms are located in the gift shop.
3. It is wheelchair accessable, to a point.
4. There are no water fountians
5. Except for certain special occasions, pets are off limits.
6. To find out more and buy tickets visit there website: The Yorktown at Patriots Point

Check out our store!

Mepkin Abbey - Peace on the Cooper River

Mepkin Abbey is an active Trappist monk monastery located on the Cooper River. It has lovely gardens, a small contemplative maze and, of course; a reception center gift shop. The history of Mepkin is tied into the plantation land that it sits on. You can find graveyards, old oak trees that stretch across the water, statuary, a large pond and several picnic worthy areas.

Mepkin Abbey is a former rice plantation. At 7,000 acres there is more than enough room for anyone who wants a peaceful and reflective time in nature. People of all faiths are welcome to enjoy the grounds and hold discourse with the monks. It has been owned by three families and was eventually passed on to the church in the 1950's.

The first summer I went on this adventure, I went back four times. It's serenity and beauty calls me back every year. As I wander the grounds, look at the flowers, statues, visit the gift shop area and enjoy the rows of angel oak trees peace overwhelms my soul. When you go, you seem to be able to forget about the big wide world outside and just exist in that moment with nature. We can not wait to go back!

1. Mepkin Abbey is located at: 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd, Moncks Corner, SC 29461, USA. Click here for more directions.
2. Bathrooms, waterfoutains and bottled waters for purchase are all available at the gift shop.
3. This area is wheelchair accessible for most of it. They have built up roads for a good portion and the views from the top where you can not access from the wheel chair are stunning. Everyone will have a great time.
4. Don't forget your sunscreen, water, and possibly even a hat if you are out here during the summer. You may be covered by trees, but it still gets plenty hot.
5. The monastary does have various times it is closed, multiple events during the year and tours you can take. Don't be shy and ask at the gift shop for a list of all of these events.

Final conclusion: we will return every year. There is always something small but different to see when you go, and the peace of the area never changes.

Check out our store!

Colonial Lake, Charlestons Oldest Pond

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.

Check out our store!

A wound down weekend at Deep Water Vineyard

Deep Water Vineyard is located on Wadmalaw Island at 6775 Bears Bluff Rd. I've never been to a wine tasting before that was from the winery itself and I wasn't sure what to expect , especially being someone who doesn't drink. Why go to a wine tasting then? Because Deep Water Vineyard makes everyone feel at home. I took my friend who loves a good wine and we had a great time. I know some might be worried about going to a place like this at first. Am I going to be around a lot of loud drunks who can't respect my personal space? Is this a safe place to go being way out on the islands? I can tell you it definitely is safe and your personal space is definitely respected. If I were looking for a place to wind down from my week, this would be the place I would go. It has southern style and charm and even with all the people there, you are not crowded in the least.

The drive out there takes about an hour from the Charleston area. It is a serene escape hatch that really starts to get you into the mood for an island adventure with an oak lined road that keeps the southern heat at bay. On our way there we came across other interesting sites such as the Angel Oak and when you go further down the road you run into the Tea Plantation.

Deep Water Vineyard is best described as a big backyard that they have invited everyone to come and enjoy. The vineyards are open to everyone to walk through with a breeze that is sweet and light. They have animals to interact with and we actually got a chance to sample the food trucks that we missed out on before (you can read about that here). The wine tasting and moonshine tasting costs you a total of 11$ and they card you at the table where you buy your tickets. With that cost you are given: a wine glass and a shot glass, a sampling of four wines and six flavors of the famous Firefly moonshine.

They do events as well!

The wine tasting was informative, fun and lasts about 30 minutes. We then moved on to the moonshine tasting which had a significant line. Be prepared to wait in this line for a little over 20 minutes because the moonshine tasting takes about as long the wine tasting. All of their products are for sale and they also have a gift shop with wine or southern related things on display.

Tips and tricks for this adventure:

1. This area is wheel chair accessible. It is not on ground that is developed so plan accordingly.
2. It can be tough to find the entrance. Go slow down the road and be on the look out for a black gate with a wine glass on it. It also has two different signs on the sides of the gate. One for firefly and the other for the former name of the Deep Water Vineyard which is Irvin House Vineyard. This sign will be changed in the next couple of years, but until then that is your marker.
3. It is hot out there so be sure to bring water with you.
4. They do allow dogs as long as they are well trained and on a leash.

When you go I would recommend the event they have called Weekend Wine-Down. This is the event that my friend and I attended. I will be going back to this idealic area as soon as possible! To learn more about Deep Water Vineyards visit their website or Facebook Page.

Check out our store!

YMCA Flowertown Festival - a taste of everything Summerville

The Flowertown Festival, also known as the azalea festival, is a yearly event put on by the local YMCA and several supporters. It's designed to be a fundraising event and that lets you experience everything that Summerville has to offer!

There is a lot going on at the Flowertown Festival so lets just jump into the need to know's:

1. The event is mostly wheelchair accessible. They have done better this year than in previous years, however, the wheel chair accessible area is limited to the main road. After that you have dirt/gravel walk laid down to facilitate wheel chairs, prams, and strollers. When it rains this walk becomes muddy and difficult to maneuver, so plan ahead.
2. It is hot out there! This festival takes place during the Spring. Here in South Carolina that can mean temperatures between 75-100 degrees. This area is semitropical so rain is also not out of the ordinary. Be sure to take sunscreen, plenty of water and a hat just to be sure you are covered.
3. Animals are not allowed at this event. Even though this is an outdoor event, they do not allow recreational animals. Service animals are welcome and should be properly tagged so everyone can see.
4. Friday is the best time to go. People coming from out of town are settling in and haven't made their way to the festival just yet and locals are still working. If you want a less crowded experience, this is what we suggest.
5. Parking can be a chore. Several churches around the festival provide all day parking for $5 a day. The free parking is vast, but can fill up quickly if you don't get there early.

There are many things to see at this annual festival. People give away free samples and it is a great way to add some southern decor to your home. This is an international festival and that means some of the vendors you see will not be from South Carolina. If you are wanting something authentically southern be sure to check with the vendor before purchasing. As locals, we continue to go for the food. Several different vendors hand out free samples and if you get your picture taken by the Summerville Journal Scene they will give you free ice cream! A little tip for staying out of the sun: if you go beyond the table set up behind the food you will notice an incline and a then a side walk. This is a great place to sit in the shade and enjoy your food. The only thing asked is; you do not go into the yards of the people who live on the street and please pick up your trash!

We suggest that you take a least two days to participate in this event because of how large it is. This is a free admission event and you are not required to purchase anything. My husband and I go and have a lot of fun just looking at everything that people have to offer. This type of festival also lends itself to great photo opportunities for families and friends a like. I like to always get a picture with the big cup of sweet tea that McAlisters Deli has sitting next to their booth. This festival sits in middle of Azalea Park for which the festival was originally named. The park includes gazebos, ponds and statues to enjoy, take pictures by and generally have a great time.

Overall this is an enjoyable event that you can attend every year and one we hope you will enjoy on your next wander!

Check out our store!

T.I.G.E.R.S Preservation Station, a lasting impression

T.I.G.E.R.S is an experience I had been waiting to attend for about a year. I went with a friend and my husband expecting to hold or pet baby tigers and interact with larger ones. This is something I expected because of the way a couple of brochures I was able to find read. However, when you get there it's not exactly what you might expect. Don't get this traveler wrong; it was still a great experience. It was simply dampened a bit by my dashed hopes of interaction.

T.I.G.E.R.S Preservation Station is located at Barefoot Landing Hwy 17 N, North Myrtle Beach, in what we unofficially dubbed, a mini Broadway at the Beach. It's a lovely area with dining, shopping and no crowds. Perfect for anyone who wants to do basically the same kind of thing, but in a low key setting. The tiger show starts at 5 p.m. and is designed to be a preview of the Myrtle Beach Safari. As a result you will be able to see and hear two adult tigers, several baby tigers, a baby wolf cub and a monkey. If you would like to hold the babies the price for the first person is $100 and any subsequent person is $25. This is where the brochure and initial website reading gets tricky. The website clearly states that holding and feeding cost a fee; however, the brochure reads little different. It can lead you to believe that you may pet said animals without a fee, but holding them and getting a picture costs money. And so, therein, lies our disappointment.

Enjoy the slideshow below of the tigers!:

Even with said disappointment, we stayed a good half hour just listening to the baby tigers mini roars and watching the adults nap, play, and generally do tigery things. You can see the baby wolf and monkey when they bring them out for pictures.

Tips for finding the tiger viewing:

1. there are no signs for it so the closest thing you find for a sign to indicate you are in the right area is the one for Alligator Adventure.
2. Once you turn there, go down the road till you hit a parking lot and your tiger destination is on the left.
3. Another way to know you are in the right area is to find the Longhorn Steakhouse and make the turn directly across the street from that restaurant.

This adventure is wheel chair accessible and they have plenty of parking and bathrooms. Be aware that people do bring their dogs and small children here. They also have an unofficial Facebook page that contain more reviews for the safari: Myrtle Beach Safari Wild Encounters.

My final conclusion is that I would go there again. It wasn't what I expected, but, it was awesome to see these animals as close as I was able to and to hear the babies and watch them play. You will definitely find the trip worth your time.

Check out our store!

Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park - A resort park

This beautiful resort like park is admission free and one of a just a few places for families to enjoy the view of the Cooper River and International Waterway that South Carolina is known for. Mount Pleasant Waterfront Memorial Park is located at 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr Blvd in Mt. Pleasant South Carolina. Directly across the street from Patriots Point, it's an area that boasts many different experiences for every visitor! Here you will find structured areas of play for children, grassy areas for more free form play (for adults and children alike) and a pier that gives you some amazing views.

The pictures that I have taken simply don't do it justice. Here you can find cultural events, dancing and fishing all on the same day. It is located just outside the area of Mt. Pleasant with relaxed fine dining. So, our suggestion: have a meal in any one of Mt. Pleasants' great eateries and then take your dessert on the go for a lovely breezy walk about the pier and enjoy the sites and sounds of this lovely area.

Don't forget to stop by the welcome center! They have friendly staff that can direct you to the events happening that day as well as provide you with coupons and information about the general Mt. Pleasant area. This is a stop you can not afford to skip! This park is wheel chair accessible and pet friendly. There is plenty of parking and the only downside that I could think of for this adventure was the gnats. When you go be sure to take sunscreen and some bug repellent. If you forget those things the gift shop at the pier carries all those things and more.

Take our virtual walk and learn more about this resort like park by watching the video below. You can also see more photos by taking a look at our slideshow!

Check out our store!

Charlestons' 5th Annual Food truck Festival

Food from a food truck may not be the most exciting outing. However, here in the south, it is equal to the food stands found in other parts of the world. You can find them just about anywhere with all kinds of different foods. They are held to same standards as restaurants so you should have no fear of eating from the fabled roach coach. There were pros and cons to this festival so lets just get right into it.

Pros:

1> This was an open air festival. There were many beautiful dogs and many children. If you had a festival like this indoors it would start to get pretty nasty pretty fast.
2> The variety of food. There was everything from an all bacon truck, to a cupcake truck, a little gelato car and a greek food truck. Just about any type of food that you could want you were able to get.

Cons:

1> The lines! I was looking forward to the all bacon truck and the mac'n'cheese truck. The lines for both was almost to the entryway. I went with two other people who also were looking forward to different trucks that were there. By talking and listening to the other people around us the wait for some was thirty minutes. In the end we left without getting any food.
2> Parking. As with most of the events in Downtown Charleston the parking is not ideal. Best case scenario you pay for parking in a parking structure and were bused over in a free trolley they had running for the majority of the event. What this travel ended up doing is parking in a an empty lot down the road and walking into the area where the food trucks were staged.
3> As seen in the video below, the crush of people was also pretty bad. This con ties in with the first one. There weren't enough tables or places to stand or sit to eat so people just stood wherever they could to eat the food. Granted that food looked yummy! However most people weren't able to get through the lines to get it, if you notice most people in the video don't have food or are still waiting to get some.

If you have a day to kill and don't mind spending it in loose lines for food and listening to live music this is definitely up your alley! The only suggestions that I would have for Charleston County is to better organize it. I will go back if it gets better organized.

Check out our store!

Sheldon Church - An Enigma

Sheldon church is one of the earliest churches built in the low country. Not in use today it sits about an hour and ten minutes outside of Summerville, South Carolina. Sheldon church sits directly off Highway 17. Parking can be awkward, as there is only space to parallel park in front of the church. Also, there is parking across the street in a cleared graveled area. Be careful, if you aren't looking for it, you will drive right by it because there are no clear signs to the church before you get there. Using Google maps my husband and I were able to get there with no problems, but you will still have to keep an eye out.

Once onto the grounds a strange sort of hush falls over the area. The sounds of the road fade away and you are instantly swept into, what I can only describe as, a different time. The church itself seems to whisper about the love and tragedy that it has seen. Standing still to remind us that though the names and places may change, we all still face the same challenges. Love, Loss and standing for beliefs that weave our choices into the history of mankind.

Sheldon church is wheel chair accessible onto the church grounds. The grounds are not developed so plan accordingly. Sheldon church is admission free and also has picnic tables perfect for a light lunch there. The trees and over all area provide wonderful photo ops so be sure to bring your camera or camcorder you don't want to miss out!

Check out our store!

Botany Bay SC - Where the Selkie's Dance

Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area is a state preserve on Edisto Island, South Carolina. About an hour away from Summerville, this is one of the many nature areas that just take your breath away. Like most adventures in the south, your drive to this enchanting spot is one of older back (but paved) roads and through small towns whose charm is worth stopping to look at. The road off of 165 to Botany Bay is dirt and of course has the iconic angel oak drive which is cool in temperature and really begins to set the mood for your visit.

Once you approach the gate you will see an information board to the right along with a volunteer who will give you a parking pass and the rules for the area. The volunteer will also give you a map that you must return on your way out. You can have a guided tour through an app that is downloaded through the google play app store or the apple store. You are not allowed to remove anything from Botany Bay! This keeps the area as beautiful and natural as possible.

The pictures in my slideshow just don't do it justice. The first thing I thought upon entering the beach is: this must be where all the selkies come to dance. It's quiet and almost secret nature lend the area to fairy tales. I was swept away by how clean it was, except for all the shells, and enchanted by the dolphins we saw playing just off the shore line. If you are looking for a day trip this is definitely one that I would recommend many times over. As with many natural fairy tale places, it is different every time you visit.

Find out more about Botany Bay here:
Charleston County Botany Bay

Check out our store!