• Travel & Vacation: Rainbow Row (Charleston, SC)

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    When we go into downtown Charleston, SC the kids always try to see who is the first one to spot Rainbow Row.  Rainbow Row is a  popular architectural landmark in Charleston, SC along East Bay Street.  It is a row of brightly colored 18th century buildings in Charleston.

    The buildings were given their name due to their beautiful Colonial Caribbean color scheme.  Originally, the buildings were businesses that serviced the Charleston docks.  The oldest one of the buildings was built in 1748.  The buildings had stores on the bottom floors with the business owners and their families living on the second floor.  Currently the buildings are private residences, however, they continue to resemble their historical style and colors.  If you are on that side of Charleston go ahead and snap a photo of these colorful houses on Rainbow Row.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Look Out the Car Window (Charleston, SC)

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     Through the leaves in the blue sky and you’ll see a plane coming into Charleston

    Whether you are flying into Charleston, SC or driving there is always plenty to see.  Our family always sees something new or different every time we go to Charleston.  There are a lot of learning and teaching opportunities if you just look out your car window while going down the roads.  Sometimes we take the little stuff for granted.  When the kids see something they will often ask about it.

    I did not grow up near the ocean or port so I learned about more of these things later in life.  The first time I saw the ocean was when I got engaged to my sweetheart.  Yes, that’s what happens when you grow up in Kansas (the middle of the 48 states) and about as far away from the ocean as you can get.

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    Some really nice private boats are docked in one of the inlets nearby

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     We usually see this factory when driving to and from Charleston.  You can tell when they are doing certain things because there will be a faint “wet paper” odor in the air.  Usually that smell will be coming from KapStone Kraft Paper Corporation in North Charleston.  It’s not a bad smell just unique which peaks the curiosity of the kids riding in the car with you.

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     The kids are always on the lookout for the cargo containers being moved around.  If you time it just right you can see the huge crane picking up cargo containers and loading (or unloading) them from the ships.  They think it is neat to watch.

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    One of the cargo ships coming as we cross over the bridge.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Noisy Oyster Seafood Restaurant (Charleston, SC)

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    Noisy Oyster Restaurant

    When we are traveling to various places we enjoy trying out a couple of the local restaurants.  We’ve been to Charleston several times and have found some ones that we really like.  Since Charleston is so close to the Atlantic Ocean we like to try different seafood places occasionally when we are in the area.  Our family has eaten at both of the Noisy Oyster locations, one in North Charleston and the other one in Downtown Charleston.

    Both Noisy Oyster restaurants have great food and a unique atmosphere that is fun for the whole family.  The one in Downtown Charleston is right along Market St and it has open windows so you can enjoy your dinner while watching the various activities going on downtown.  It is pretty common to see horse drawn carriages or pedicabs (or bike taxi) during your meal.  After you eat you can take a stroll through the Charleston’s City Market or browse through one of the many neat shops nearby to find a unique souvenir.

    The Noisy Oyster in North Charleston has a different setting, but still great food.  It is in a little quieter part of town and doesn’t have the open windows.  It looks more like a traditional seafood restaurant.  If you want to relax or stretch your legs after dinner you can go to Barnes & Noble or the local mall nearby.

    If you are looking for a good family restaurant that serves seafood in the Charleston area you should check out Noisy Oyster.  We have always enjoyed the food and atmosphere.    Sometimes its fun to try something new when you are on vacation!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Major General William Moultrie’s Statue in White Point Garden (Charleston, SC)

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    Major General William Moultrie Statue in White Point Garden

    Our family enjoys going to Charleston, South Carolina.  One of the places the girls always love to go is to Battery Park and White Point Garden.  They love looking at all the cool cannons and other items at Battery Park.  One of the people that they studied in Social Studies was Major General William Moultrie so it was neat seeing this statue in White Point Gardens.

    If you enjoy history White Point Gardens and Battery Park is a great place to visit if you are in downtown Charleston.  Major General William Moultrie is most well known for fighting off a British attack when they tried to take over Charles Town Harbor during the American Revolution.  Moultrie and his men at Fort Sullivan, which was made out of Palmetto logs, held back the British attack.   It was one of the first big victories  for the United States during the American Revolution.  Later they renamed Fort Sullivan to Fort Moultrie.

    Later in the American Revolution Moultrie was captured by British soliders.  He was released later during a prisoner exchange.  Moultrie also served twice as a governor of South Carolina.  While Moultrie was governor South Carolina’s state capital was moved from Charleston to it’s present day location of Columbia.

    The statue has a 7 foot pedestal and the statue of Moultrie is 8 feet high.  It portrays Moultrie in his uniform with his sword in his sheath, holding his hat at his side, and looking out over the Charleston Harbor.

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    Moultrie Statue

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!