The SC State House - While I breathe I hope - symbol of heroic sacrifice and endurance

When in Columbia you must visit the State House the South Carolina symbol of hope, sacrifice and endurance in the face of hardship. It's a perfect opportunity (and FREE to attend) to introduce your kids to South Carolina's fascinating history, outstanding architecture, and to pay tribute to our state and nation heroes.

“One of the most notable buildings in the world”, the magnificent SC State House, took more than 50 years and $3.5 million dollars to complete.
• In 1854 everything was torn down because inappropriate materials were used.
• During the Civil War Union troops destroyed much of Columbia including the State House building.
• In 1885 the architect died and a new one had to be appointed.
• Finally in 1907 the fireproof State House was complete thanks to architects John M. Niernsee and his son. During 1995-1998 renovation was done to make the building earthquake proof.

When to visit:
Free guided tours are available Monday through Saturday and each start with a short movie overview. Call (803)-734-2430 to schedule a tour or check at the Visitor’s office inside the State House. On your own, best time to visit is on Monday, Friday, Saturday and the 1st Sunday of the month. To watch SC elected officials at work go Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from February to June .


State House Highlights and Interesting Things to See:

Outside
• The State House columns, believed to be the largest monolithic columns on a public building in the U.S. Each column is carved from a single piece of stone.

• The standout exterior dome is made of steel and wood and finished copper. The “false” interior dome was put for aesthetic reasons.

• George Washington’s bronze statue towers the grounds in front of the Capitol. Union soldiers brick-batted the statue and broke the cane in 1865.

• Marker of the old State House built 1786 – 1790 and burned down by Sherman’s troops during Civil War. James Hoban the architect of the building later designed the White House.
• Gun from the famous Battleship Maine whose sinking launched the Spanish-American War in 1898

• 1852 Palmetto Regiment Monument honoring veterans of the Mexican War. It’s the oldest and most elaborate monuments on the State House grounds. It cost a “whopping” 19th century $5,000 to build!

• The John C. Calhoun, the 1st outside building at the State House and recently featured in the Kevin Bacon movie “Death Sentence” (as the SC Supreme Court).

• Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Sumter Street survived the fire ravages left by Sherman’s troupes. During the Civil War, the iron spikes on top of the cathedral were melted to make cannonballs for the Confederacy. 5 South Carolina governors, 3 Confederate generals, and Henry Timrod, the unofficial “poet laureate of the Confederacy” are buried in the cemetery.

Inside
• The Mace, the House authority and oldest original one used in the U.S. When put in front of the desk means “the House is in session”. The mace it’s a 1756 gift from England. During the Revolutionary War it disappeared, and was discovered 40 years later in a Philadelphia bank vault!

• The House of Representatives Chamber, remodeled it now resembles the one in Austin, TX.

• 1800s astonishing mosaic representing the Seal of South Carolina made of 37,000 pieces of glass. The State Seal was designed by William Henry Drayton in 1776. Motto translates “While I breathe I hope”.

• The Sword of the State, the Senate authority; when placed on the desk “the Senate is in session”. The 1704 original sword was stolen in 1941. The current one is a 1951 gift from former British ambassador Lord Halifax.

• Wrought-iron staircases decorated with the yellow jasmine (the state flower), pink Tennessee and white Georgia marble floors, hand-made brick arched ceiling and blue granite walls (the state stone).

• Joint legislative conference room (formerly used as a library) is the only original room left in the building. The 1,000 lbs gas-lit chandelier is the only original one at the Capitol.

Remarkable paintings depicting heroic scenes from the Revolutionary War that had more battles fought in South Carolina than in any other state!

Live the history and be proud at the SC State Capitol!

Fun, free and historical things to do with kids in downtown Beaufort

There is plenty of fun and free things do with your kids while visiting historic and picturesque Beaufort.

Playgrounds
For starter there are 2 playgrounds one on the Waterfront Park and one off of Pigeon Landing (located left off Boundary Street and opposite waterfront area). This playground opened just 2 years ago, has brand new facilities (restrooms, picnic tables, water fountains, and stations) and excellent age appropriate equipment. There is something for everyone from babies to older kids and even large swings for adults (parents need to have some fun too). :-) It’s twice as large as the playground at Waterfront Park, a lot less crowded and dogs are allowed in the park as longs as they are on leash. A great thing with this playground is the large oak trees that provide shade throughout the day.
One extra perk is the chance to see fighter jets flying by every now and then which seems quite popular with boys. While in the area you can drive to the end of Pigeon Landing to reach the boat docking and boardwalk. It's very peaceful and the view of the marshes and Beaufort river is incredible.

The playground at the Waterfront Park is better known and quite popular with tourists. Location, location, location! Main attraction for kids is watching fishermen showing their skills on the dock in front of the playground. When I visited with my daughter 2 weeks ago we saw a guy catching 3 baby-sharks in less than an hour! All the children were mesmerized. Another kid-popular activity is balancing over the raised boardwalks weaving through the park. In case you get hungry there are several restaurants and cafes only few yards away.

Ice Cream Parlor and Tin Men
After all the jumping and hopping at the playground you should take the kids to the Southern Sweets Ice Cream Parlor. It’s located downtown in Old Bay Marketplace (across the clock). Besides delicious and reasonably priced ice-cream you can get very good and hearty lunch: made-to-order yummy hot-dogs (8 styles to choose from at $3 each), and a variety of gourmet sandwiches, salads and soups. Most lunch items are around $6. They also carry a kids menu with the usual suspects for around $2. I had the Old Bay Dog (with sauerkraut), a cheese toast sandwich and one ice-cream all for about $8.

Who knew that window shopping can be fun for little ones? Where it is…at least in Beaufort…it wasn’t voted one of America’s Best Small Arts Town for nothing! On our way to the Vernier House museum (2 blocks down from the ice-cream parlor) my 4 years old daughter stopped many times to admire the art on display and point out whatever raised her interests. She loved the wine bottle holders made of tin representing all sorts of funny characters. She definitely liked this better than all the museums we’ve visited that day.

Beaufort Must See Museums: Vernier House and the Arsenal
The Vernier House museum – headquarters for the Union troupes during the Civil War - is the only historic house in Beaufort open to public on a regular basis: Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for students. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Marquis de Lafayette visited the house in 1825.

The Arsenal, located at 713 Craven St., is one of the most significant historical sites in Beaufort. It was completed in 1798 to create a militia and to build a laboratory for making explosives. Currently is home to the Beaufort museum. Made out of brick and tabby and featuring a Gothic design with crenellated parapets the Arsenal has a very distinctive architecture. Hours of operations are 10 AM to 5 PM. The museum is officially closed on Wednesday and Sunday. However, I went there on a Tuesday and it was closed, so better to call ahead just to make sure: (843)-525-7077. Admission for adults and children over 6 is $3.

Scenic boat tour over Beaufort River
This is a great outdoor attraction the whole family can enjoy.
It’s very relaxing and you get up-close and personal to the beautiful Lowcountry marshes and Sea Islands wildlife. There are two boat tour opportunities: one from Beaufort Marina (located at the end of the waterfront park) and one from Port Royal Landing marina, operated by River Safari. If you go to Port Royal read this post to learn about all the fun things you can do there.

More family attractions around Beaufort:
The Lighthouse at the Hunting Island State Park, the Old Sheldon Church Ruins and Graveyard. On St. Helena Island: visit Penn Center and Bailey Museum and the Chapel of Ease (beware of Land’s End light and ghost sighting!)

Happy family vacation in Beaufort South Carolina!

Fort Sumter - Family Things to Do in Charleston

Fort Sumter located in the middle of the Charleston Harbor is where "The War in Between the States" (as it is called here since was nothing "civil" about it) started on April 12, 1861, when Confederate artillery opened fire. Fort Sumter surrendered 34 hours later. Union forces would try for nearly four years to take it back.

Seven millions of pounds of metal were furiously shot at it without success. Amazingly, the Confederate losses only counted 52 killed and 267 wounded. The fort suffered major destruction with the right flank wall and the gorge wall all but vanished. For the next 100 years it remains a garrison but with limited military significance.

In 1948 Fort Sumter was transferred to the National Park Service and became a national monument and a popular family attraction.

Things to know before you go
1. Fort Sumter is open year round except for New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. The fort is open 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM from April 1st to Labor Day, at other times call (843)-883-3123. Entrance to Fort Sumter is free, however you must pay for the ferry ride to get there. For more info see: Fort Sumter accessibility and visit hours.

2. You can access Fort Sumter by ferry or privately operated boats. The concessioned ferry leaves from two locations: Liberty Square (340 Concord Street in Charleston), and Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum (40 Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant). Tours usually depart every 2 hours and the ride takes about 30 minutes. The ferry has a snack bar and restrooms. For ticket info call 1-800-789-3678.

3. If you depart from Liberty Square make sure to visit the Charleston Aquarium; if you depart from Patriots Point, reserve 2 hours to explore the wonderful Yorktown battleship and submarine.

4. You can't get to Fort Sumter from Fort Moultrie. Pets are not permitted at Fort Sumter or on the ferry. Pets accompanying private boaters must remain on the boat, and must not be left unattended.

5. During the ferry ride you can capture amazing photos of the Charleston's Harbor and Ravenel bridge, so make sure you bring your camera and plenty of batteries along.

6. Kids have fun checking out the big canons spread throughout the fort and chasing each other through the maze of tunnels.

7. If travelling by ferry you will have about 1 hour to wonder around. Save yourself some hustle and bustle and conveniently get loose from the "family group" by sunbathing on the grass near the flags; you will enjoy breathtaking ocean views and can quietly soak in all the history around you.

See more family day of fun at Fort Sumter on this slideshow

Enjoy your vacation in South Carolina!

Congaree National Park untainted natural wonder near Columbia

Congaree National Park is the largest and few remaining bottom land hardwood forest in North America. A short drive from Columbia the swamp park (more exactly a floodplain forest) stretches over 11,000 acres along the Congaree and Santee rivers.

With its serene cathedral like canopy it is the world's tallest deciduous forest, with trees reaching up to 170 feet (as high as a 17 stories sky-scraper!); it is taller than famous forests in Japan, Himalaya and Europe.

This natural wonder still looks as it did more than 500 hundreds years ago when early Europeans - like Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto - came to South Carolina looking for gold, silver, precious stones and natural resources.

The Congaree Indians camped, fished and hunted along the Congaree river more than 13,000 years ago. They believed the swamp was "filled with ghosts". Congaree means "dragged the bottom of the boats", an accurate description of the swamp's appearance most of the year.
During the Revolutionary War, the Congaree swamp gave refuge to Francis Marion and his patriots companions (hence his nickname: The Swamp Fox), as they repeatedly harassed and sabotaged the British troops.

For its incredible biodiversity and historic importance the Congaree National Park has been designated a Natural National Landmark, an International Biosphere Reserve and Globally Important Bird area. Scientists and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world come year around to visit and study this natural wonder.

Tips to know before you go
At the Congaree park you can enjoy all the usual outdoor activities: camping, fishing, canoeing, biking, walking and bird watching.
Be mindful of the perennial bugs and mesquitoes so wear long sleeves shirts and plenty of repellant. If you plan to walk the 2.4 miles self-guided boardwalk that loops around the Visitor center make sure to carry some water; there is no drinking water along the trail (you can fill up at the Visitor center). The boardwalk is suitable for strollers, bring these along to avoid some drama later on.

There are about 20 stops along the trail and many have benches you can rest on.
Those more adventurous canoeing along the river bring food and supplies to last 2-3 extra hours beyond your originally planned time travel. Note that Congaree National Park offers FREE ranger guided canoe tours every other Sunday.

Attractions along the boardwalk trail

The famous Dorovan Muck, the Congaree swamp's dark mud is essential for breaking down pollutants into harmless ingredients

Hollow trees that house thousands of evening bats, which can consume up to 600 mesquitoes an hour. The swamp is home to 6 different bats varieties

A remnant of lucrative bootlegging enterprise...national champions the grand Loblolly trees...frightnening lightning marks along the pine trees...eerie and alien looking (as one might expect in this ancient forest) swamp...Paw-Paw and cabbage dwarf palmetto trees...and plenty of wildlife, in particular birds.



Where
Congaree National Park is located about 20 miles from downtown Columbia, South Carolina in the Hopkins / Gadsden community. It's open year around except on Christmas Day and is FREE.

From Interstate 77, take Exit 5, turn off onto SC Hwy 48 East (Bluff Rd.) and follow the brown directional signs. Travel southeast fourteen miles on Bluff Rd, turn right onto Mt. View Rd. and follow it 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Old Bluff Rd. and travel 0.6 miles. At the large park entrance sign, turn left onto and proceed one mile to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Detailed driving directions and map: http://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/directions.htm

World's Smallest Police Station in Ridgeway South Carolina

Ridgeway, South Carolina is home to the smallest police station in the world. Originally built as a watering station for horses, it served as Ridgeway's police station from 1940 to 1990. It's as big as a toll booth!
If you're lucky (or just plain smart!) to travel on scenic highway 34 on your way to Myrtle Beach make sure to check it out.

In case you are wondering, Ridgeway boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the state and the nation. Don't feel too bad about the size, the police crew was eventually upgraded to a bigger building, located right beside the old one. It has an extra room. Now that's a raise :-)

Travel tip #1: Make sure to go way below the speed limit (25mph) as you're driving through Ridgeway. You can thank me later.

If hungry, go to the Olde Towne Hall (can't miss it, the big red brick building near the police station). The restaurant is located in the original Town Hall whihc was built in 1904 and it still has some of the jail cells in the back. The food is just good ole country cooking: plenty, juicy, meaty and delicious. The chicken wings are "made in Heaven" and the raw fries will bring you to tears (in case you must share).

Travel tip #2: Keep kids entertained by asking them to guess the numebr of Target trucks that will go by. This works best during dinner time. Believe it or not one dinner during Christmas week we counted 6 in row! Only in South Carolina backcountry in the little town named Ridgeway...the center of discount retailing!

Happy Travelling!