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When you are visiting South Carolina be sure to make time for the Lowcountry area around Kiawah Island and the town of Beaufort. This area is one of the prettiest and most fun in South Carolina, replete with festivals, great restaurants and all sorts of other things to do and see.

Want to See Awesome Beauty? Visit Beaufort SC Lowcountry

Beaufort is the ultimate gracious Southern town with a pleasing combination of urban refinement and Lowcountry friendliness. It is replete with exquisite cuisine, antebellum architecture and rich heritage. Add in the beach, a large number of sunny days, and great walkability and you have a wonderful beach town.

Strictly speaking, Beaufort is not directly on the ocean although you can see an amazing Beaufort SC sunset from the docks in the late afternoon.

It actually lies along the banks of the Beaufort River and the Port Royal Sound. There is open Atlantic water about 16 miles east of Beaufort's historic town center. Here Hunting Island State Park boasts three miles of the most beautiful beaches in South Carolina. There is also abundant marshlands and maritime forest, as well as the only lighthouse in South Carolina still open to the public.

Beaufort boasts a very walk-able downtown area which bookstores, art galleries, and antique shops, all perfect for an afternoon of shopping or browsing. The many restaurants serve fresh, off-the-boat seafood and traditional Low country meals such as just-picked collard greens and spicy, thick gumbos. The area also includes a vast waterfront park which is the perfect venue for live concerts.

The area surrounding Beaufort is rich with southern history. Beaufort's downtown area is a designated National Historic Landmark, as is St. Helena Island where a rich Gullah heritage is remembered and nurtured by descendants of slaves.

Beaufort natives differentiate between those whose families have been in town for generations and those who are more recent arrivals, say within the last twenty years. A comeyeah is a more recent arrival, meaning 'come here' or a new comer. Beanyeah means 'been here' and refers to what Beaufort calls the locals. Since Beaufort is South Carolina's second oldest city, beanyeah status is not easily achieved.

Beaufort's history starts when the Spanish arrived back in the early 1500s. They failed to create a successful settlement. Later on, the French also attempted to create a settlement at Beaufort, but like the Spanish were not successful. It wasn't until 1711 that the British were able to establish a successful settlement despite frequent attacks by the Yemasee Indians.

Despite its early beginnings, it is the Civil War which still resonates with more locals in Beaufort. Many local residents still remember what the war meant and talk about its aftermath. One of Beaufort's most beautiful areas is the historic Old Point neighborhood where homeowners have found bullets and arm bones from the Civil War.

Beaufort was the first and last town in the Confederacy occupied by Union Troops. These troops arrived in 1861 which caused more than 1,400 residents to flee the town. However, it was this occupation which spared Beaufort much of the destruction experienced by other Southern cities. Most of the homes were turned into hospitals and were not destroyed, so still remain today.

Beaufort SC is a wonderful combination of history, cuisine and Low country living. It is a perfect place to experience the beauty of South Carolina.

You can see fine art prints of Beaufort and other South Carolina locations at BobPardue.pixels.com

The Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park was officially built in 1948. In 1951, a pint-sized wooden coaster called the Comet Jr. opened at the amusement park. The roller coaster remained a favorite until the late 1960s.

The year 1954 brings the German Baden-Band Organ, which became one of the park’s most iconic attractions.This organ was originally built for display at the 1900 World Exposition in Paris Before being brought to Myrtle Beach, the organ toured Europe on a wagon for decades.

50''s & 60's At the Myrtle Beach Pavilion - Good Years

The Myrtle Beach Pavilion area flourished during the 50's and 60's. This pointed the way for Myrtle Beach to become one of the top vacation destinations on the East Coast.

1978 - Big Year for New Rides

In 1978, the pavilion added the Corkscrew, which was its first steel roller coaster and stayed in operation for over 30 years.Thrill-seekers really got their thrills with the 70-foot drop and two looping corkscrews.

The Haunted Hotel, originally called the "Haunted Inn" also opened in 1978. This was a dark ride with scary, animatronic ghosts and ghouls inside. So, people afraid of the dark either skipped it or got their pants scared off.

Several new rides were added in the 80's for adults and children. These included The Enterprise, Mind Scrambler, and a small train-themed roller coaster.

The Hurricane: Category 5

The park’s signature roller coaster, the Hurricane: Category 5, was built in 2000 for $6 million. It became the tallest, fastest and longest wooden coaster in South Carolina.

The ride was a 3,800-foot-long, hybrid-structure coaster that featured an out-and-back style layout with 14 turns, a 100-foot drop, and a top speed of 55 mph.

End of An Era

Burroughs & Chapin announced that the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park will close at the end of the 2006 season due to financial instability

The park was closed to the public on Sept. 24, with a ticketed “The Last Ride” event held on Sept. 30 and a final private party send-off at The Attic in October.

In 2007, demolition began on the Pavilion and it included several of the park’s rides.The Pavilion Nostalgia Park opened at Broadway at the Beach later in the year.

The park featured relocated pieces of the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park including the Herschell-Spillman Carousel,and the Baden Band Organ.

Other relocated pieces included an arcade, the Pirate Ship, tea cups and various other kiddie rides.

Thanks For the Memories

To me Myrtle Beach is just not the same without the laughter and the screams coming from the kiddie rides and thrill rides at Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park.

Hopefully, one day soon we will hear those sounds again.

But, I will always cherish the wonderful memories I have of Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park.

Own a Print of The Nostalgic Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park - Framed or Stretched Canvas

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I have been visiting tourist centers all over the world but my 2-hour visit to USS Yorktown Charleston SC remains one of the best moments of my vacation. USS Yorktown is one of the famous aircraft carriers that were built during the second World War.

USS Yorktown is One of American's Greatest - Battle of Yorktown

It was built for the United States Navy. One of the greatest battles fought by the Americans is the American Revolutionary battle known as the Battle of Yorktown. The carrier is named after this battle.

However, it is not the only carrier that has been given the name. In fact, it is the fourth to bear the name.

USS Yorktown is about 266 meters in length and it was launched on 21 January, 1943.

It is open to the public every day from 9AM to 6.30PM. I went there on a Wednesday and it took up to 2 hours to explore every part of the carrier.

Naval History Buff - That's Me!

It is not a must to spend up to two hours. Some other tourists did not stay that long.

As for me, my curiosity took me into every cabin and other significant parts of the ship and I enjoyed every bit of it.

There was a friendly curator that took me and other visitors around. Am sure he answered questions more than he usually answers because I hit him with a lot of questions. I wanted to know everything about the great carrier.

I had heard about the ship several times before visiting it and added it to my travel vacation ideas list.

So I bombarded the curator with thousands of questions and he responded to all of them in a friendly manner and even made explanations where necessary.

Grandeur of the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier

It carried between 90 and 100 aircraft in its lifetime. Although it was launched in January 1943, it was not commissioned until 15 April in that same year.

The great USS Yorktown was built by Newport News Shipbuilding Company. The ship was decommissioned the first time on 9th January 1947, about 4 years after it was launched.

It was later re-commissioned on 2 January, 1953 and decommissioned on 27 June 1970. I got all these information about the ship because I didn’t stop asking questions. The maximum speed of the carrier was 33 knots or 61 km/h.

It was modified a couple of times to suit the needed purpose. It was converted to an antisubmarine carrier at some point. It was also used as a recovery ship for Apollo 8 space mission

It was also used in two different movies – Tora! Tora! Tora! and The Philadelphia Experiment.

It earned a total of more than 16 battle stars in its life time. It became a museum ship in 1975, about 42 years ago.

Imagine how many tourists would have visited the great ship that can best be described as a national historic landmark.

USS Yorktown - Museum Experience of a Lifetime

You really need to visit USS Yorktown Charleston SC at least once in a lifetime. It was worth every minute of my visit.

Here are some thoughts about the USS Yorktown from several reviewers on yelp:

"There's no question that visiting the USS Yorktown is must for all tourists whether or not a naval history buff. If not for anything else, just the grandeur if her physical size is worth the price of admission."

"This really is a must see if you visit Charleston. The history is so fulfilling from submarines, ships, veterans museum, etc. The view from the flight deck shows everything you could possibly want to see."

On your next journey to the low country, take the time to stop by Patriot's Point and take some photos of the USS Yorktown and other great exhibits.

Or...

Own Your Own Fine Art Print of The USS Yorktown - Framed or Stretched Canvas

Go here to see size options and versions for your USS Yorktown fine artwork.

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I captured many fond memories and South Carolina art photos from all my visits to Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster SC. It is the perfect place for family gatherings or just a getaway for the day.

I would like to share this gourd artwork I created from a display I discovered at Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster SC.

Learn More About Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster SC

The Andrew Jackson State Park SC in Lancaster is really one of the most popular parks in South Carolina.I would have to say this is because it is definitely not a boring place..

This gourd artwork at Andrew Jackson State Park SC shows only one of the many displays you will see in the 18th century replica schoolhouse.

Therefore, if you happen to be a teacher making plans for a future field trip, I highly recommend this park. Especially, a visit to the old school house is perfect for a group of young school kids.They will see what a classroom was like before their time.

Popular Andrew Jackson State Park Events?

The park combines many different events throughout the year within its premises, giving people a reason to go there.

Historical, artistic and community events run through out the year. If you are visiting South Carolina, you can't go wrong paying the park a visit.

Highlights of the park include living history programs, and a statue of Andrew Jackson.

Other points of interest in the park include a museum, camping grounds, picnic facilities, a fishing lake and character trails.

In addition, you or your group can take a self-led tour from the park museum and schoolhouse throughout the hours when these facilities are open.

Pets Are Allowed - But Not All

Pets are permitted in many outside areas as long as they are on a leash not more than six ft.

Pet owners are going to be requested to get rid of noisy or harmful pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.

Other than the fair warning on pets, you can pretty much do anything at this park.

Fun for All Ages

Andrew Jackson State Park has special events several times through out the year. You will be amazed at how alive it is with people flocking the area to attend an event.

My family & I have had several family reunions at this beautiful park. Everyone had a great time since there was an activity for all ages of the family. I highly recommend going to the park because it is a perfect place for rest or recreation.

Of course, just like any other park, it has restrictions on what you can and can't do. But, you shouldn't let this put a damper on your ability to have fun in the park.

This Unique Gourd Artwork at Andrew Jackson State Park SC Can Be Yours

Are you intrigued about this gourd artwork at Andrew Jackson State Park SC?

Go here for print sizes and photo options...