Living Rural

With the cost of gas and the state of the economy - vacations are not a priority this year; however, vacations can be Enjoyable AND Affordable! Living in the country adds to the decision simply because we are a minimum of  twenty miles from everything. Here are some ways we have saved money yet still considered ourselves having a vacation.

STAY CLOSE: Research your state or region for attractions and accommodations that are CHEAP!

PICK THE RIGHT DAY: NO holidays or weekends. Hotels and flights are cheaper during the week.

MAKE THE DRIVE: To larger airports where flights might be flexible with times, carriers, and price. Don’t forget to figure in gas, time , and parking for your car.

PACK LIGHTLY: Check with airline for restrictions, rules, and regulations.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Bus and rail systems are designed to get you where you want to go and cost much less.

LOAD UP AT LUNCH: Eat your largest meal at lunch. This time of day, also, lets you sample local fare at a reasonable price.

PACK A SNACK: Request a refrigerator in hotel room, shop at local grocery store, and save $$$.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS: Take advantage of free museums, historical sites, go for a hike, swim, park, or beach for a “thrifty” way to spend the day.

GO HOME EMPTY HANDED!: DO NOT GO HOME WITH OVER PRICED SOUVENIRS - PICTURES AND MEMORIES ARE FREE!

PHONE WISELY: Use a calling card, limit cell phone use while roaming..

“SMART TRAVEL MAKES for SUCCESSFUL TRAVEL.”

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Twenty miles is not far in today’s ‘global society’, until you realize with gas at $4 a gallon and a vehicle that has a 12-14 gallon tank, that you will spend $48 for each full tank and average 28-31 miles per gallon  giving you 7.8 round trips from your house to “town” on one fill-up …

Add the soaring heat to the mix …

And most folks in the ‘country’ will be staying home enjoying the air conditioning!

Tourism is in for a long, hot, dry, quiet summer … to bad, too - lots of really ‘cool’ places to visit here in the rural part of SC.

Yep, it will take at least one of those “$100″ bills to fill up most autos this July 4th for that holiday trip, but it will be worth it - especially if you are coming to South Carolina!

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Well, Friday was the day we took our youngest to the airport to fly back to school in the frozen tundra, Maine. Now with the security systems in place, you can no longer watch the plane take off, which somehow makes a mom worry just a bit - I liked seeing the plane disappear safely into the clouds . It is reassuring . Now, I wait for the phone call that she is safely back in her “home-away-from-home” .

The traffic was awful. Naturally we did not allow enough time for Friday afternoon traffic in a large southern city and arrived at the airport 40 minutes before take-off - not good, but it all worked out. Thank goodness!

So, once again our “nest” is EMPTY.

I miss the laughter immensely, but school starts again on Monday for me. I am looking forward to studying, writing, research - brain growth!

It is almost morning. I must get some sleep now.

Remember, “Y’all come back ya’ hear!”

I am sitting inside at the beach on the South Carolina coast … sad, because it is to hot to go outside. Beach. Hot. Wait. It is the end of September … duh? Autumn. Where is it?

I want cool breezes, leaves changing color, and at night a “nip in the air”. Is that to much to ask? No, it is not to much to ask - it is football season, where is the game weather?

I am b.o.r.e.d. When I am bored, I read. I picked up a magazine … on the cover, guess what it says? Autumn in New Hampshire. Since we have no sight of Autumn, yet - I will share a photo of autumn in New Hampshire and a list of places to visit to see what nature has painted in blazing autumn color in NH … road trip!

• Great North Woods
• Moose Alley
• Pinkham Notch
• Prospect Mountain Road Scenic Byway
• Sugar Hill
• Kancamagus Scenic Byway

Don’t they sound rural?

It is, also, apple picking season in New Hampshire. Visit for listing of where to go around the state and the region to do your own picking.

New Hampshire is full of rural areas - green and quiet, with natural flora and fauna and wildlife to enjoy. It is a perfect time to take a road trip and how livingrural looks in New Hampshire!

[tags]beach, South Carolina, autumn, seasons, New Hampshire, apples, orchards, road trips[/tag]

Today was a day of “waiting”

… for word that my daughters made their flight from Boston

… that the flight was on time

… driving to MYR airport to meet their flight … tourists and their crazy driving!

… to eat lunch

… to get home

… to hear from my youngest (21, as of 6/4), left behind in ME

… YAY, she did get the second job with Lane Bryant!

… to find out when a doctor appointment was scheduled for daughter #3

… did her hubby kill a hog while hog huntin’?

… is my ankle sprained or a slight hairline fracture … I’ll explain in another post

… to connect to online help with my Internet provider’s technical support, for 2 hours (I know, unreal, but my ankle was elevated and I really didn’t have anything else to do … RIGHT!)

… to eat the wonderful plate of country cookin’ my hubby was bringing from his monthly Wednesday night Men’s Supper Club … yum … WORTH the WAIT!

… to finish this post

… to put my tired self to bed.

And I thought I didn’t have anything to say today … except,

“Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

flights, airports - MYR, grown children, driving, Lane Bryant, Internet, country cooking, hunting, Boston, Maine, sprains, tech support

If you’re looking for something to do this month, scroll through the list …

there’s something for everyone - URBAN and/or RURAL. Enjoy!

SC June Festivals, Events

Jun 1-2: Allendale Paleoamerican Expedition - near Martin - volunteer to help excavate

Jun 1-2: Relay for Life - Rock Hill - benefits the American Cancer Society

Jun 1-3: Indie Grits Film Fest - Columbia

Jun 1-4: Sun Fun Festival - Myrtle Beach

Jun 1-10: Piccolo Spoleto - Charleston - local arts festival

Jun 1-10: Spoleto Festival USA - Charleston - international arts festival

Jun 2: Clover Scottish Games and Scotch Irish Festival

Jun 2: Coastal Cajun Festival - Hilton Head Island - music, food, family fun - benefit

Jun 2: H.O.P.E. Run / Walk for ALS Research - Isle of Palms

Jun 2-3: American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure - Columbia - cycling

Jun 2-3: Under the Crown - North Augusta - historical interpreters and reenactors, free!

Jun 2-16: Conductors Institute of South Carolina - Columbia

Jun 4: South Carolina EXPO for Teacher Recruitment - Columbia - job fair for teachers

Jun 7-9: ParrotStock - Myrtle Beach - charity concert event

Jun 7-9: Party in the Pines - Whitmire

Jun 8-9: Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival - Mount Pleasant

Jun 9: Columbia Midlands Soap Box Derby

Jun 9: Scottish Games & Highland Festival - Greenville

Jun 9-10: Edisto Riverfest - Walterboro

Jun 10-16: Southeastern Piano Festival - Columbia - University of South Carolina School of Music

Jun 13-16: Mighty Moo Festival - Cowpens

Jun 14: Flag Day - Thursday

Jun 15-20: Chautauqua Festival - Greenville - the past brought to life

Jun 16: Out of this World Breakfast - Columbia - SC State Museum

Jun 16-24: Hampton County Watermelon Festival - Hampton

Jun 17: Father’s Day - Sunday

Jun 19: Friends of McLeod Plantation Annual Meeting - James Island - public welcomed

Jun 19: Heritage Aire Celtic Ensemble - Summerville’s Town Square - free concert

Jun 21: Summer Solstice - Thursday

Jun 22-24: South Carolina Festival of Flowers - Greenwood

Jun 23: Round the Fourth - Conway

Jun 27-30: Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina Billfish Tournament - Governor’s Cup Series

Jun 28: Carolina Day - remembering America’s first military victory on June 28, 1776

Jun 28-30: Carolina Low Country Tomato Festival - Edisto Island - food, street dance, more

Jun 28 - Jul 2: Island Heritage Festival - James Island - honoring the Gullah People

Jun 29: Jazz for Peace Benefit Concert - Columbia

South Carolina Area Events for June

3/16/07 - 9/16/07
Edmund Yaghjian: A Retrospective

View more than 100 paintings and sketches by one of the most important artists of the 20th century, Edmund Yaghjian. A native of Armenia, Yaghjian immigrated to the United States in 1907. He later moved to South Carolina where he taught art at the University of South Carolina for more than 21 years. His work provides glimpses of familiar scenes of such places as New York City and the South Carolina State Fair. State Museum Lipscomb Gallery.
Related Link: www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org

5/1/07 - 9/30/07
Aliens: Worlds of Possibilities

This 6,500-square foot exhibit explores planetary conditions in the forms of robotic aliens, alien landscapes, a “genuine” fake alien, and 20 interactive stations. Explore the characteristics of the solar system, learn how scientists study planetary life and discover the possibilities of life beyond Earth. $3 in addition to regular museum admission for ages 3 and up.
Related Link: www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org

5/19/07 - 6/1/07
Seeds of Change: South Carolina and the Great War 1917-1918

Guests will learn of the establishment of military installations in the state and the building up of ones already here, such as Camp (now Fort) Jackson in Columbia, CampWadsworth in Spartanburg and Charleston’s Navy yard. Also featured: the establishment of war bonds and the publicity around the campaigns; the changing roles of blacks and women in the war effort; and the war’s contribution to the great flu epidemic of 1918. 803-898-4921
Related Link: www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org

5/26/07 - 9/30/07
Bubbleoosa

Tiny bubbles! Gigantic bubbles! Dome-shaped bubbles! Square bubbles! Bubbles in bubbles! Kids in bubbles! Join us this summer as we explore the science of bubbles at EdVenture’s super-popular outdoor exhibit, Bubbleloosa! Free with paid museum admission
Related Link: www.edventure.org

5/29/07 - 6/1/07
Dynamic Dinos

Mad Science of Columbia Summer Program. This camp lets young paleontologists go on a dinosaur “dig” and learn about the habits and characteristics of dinosaurs. 9 a.m. - noon.
To register, call 803-739-2122.

Related Link: www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org

5/31/07 - 6/4/07
Sun Fun Festival

This event includes four days of live entertainment, air shows, professional sand sculpture contest, parade, pageants, sporting events, kids fair, celebrity meet-and-greet and more.
Related Link: www.sunfunfestival.com.

6/1/07 - 6/16/07
In My Backyard and Digistar Virtual Journey

What can you see from your backyard? Join TV host and keynote speaker Fred Penner as he takes a wild ride with the unique “laser” graphics on the Digistar projection system. Enjoy the soothing music and visual parade of shapes that move across the 30 ft. planetarium dome and take a fast-paced trip through an amusement park, including a ride on the virtual roller coaster. You will be truly amazed by the wild ride you will experience. 9 p.m.
803-641-3654

Related Link: rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium

6/2/07 - 6/3/07
Colonial Times “Under the Crown”

Friday night dinner (ticket required) with people in 18th century attire serving and telling of life in first person followed by an 18th century dance. Historic Saint Paul’s Church on the site of Fort Cornwallis (Augusta, Ga.). Saturday, 4 p.m. battle representing the siege of Fort Cornwallis on the original site of the fort. Living history demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday at the Living History Park, Spring Grove and Lake Ave. in North Augusta. Free admission. Refreshments available for purchase. Rain or shine. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 803-279-7560
Related Link: www.colonialtimes.us

6/7/07 - 6/9/07
Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival

Enjoy one of the largest displays of West Africa’s multi-generational ancient art form, recently designated the official State Hand Craft. Visitors will be treated to more than 100 Sweetgrass basket makers demonstrating their basket making skills, along with an assortment of authentic Gullah Geechee cultural musical groups, praise dancing, Gullah cuisine, story-telling and more.
Related Link: www.sweetgrassfestival.com

6/8/07 - 6/10/07
Trail Rides at Broxton Bridge Plantation

Broxton Bridge Plantation, 7 miles south of Ehrhardt on Highway 601. Rides begin at 9 a.m. RV spots, rooms and supper available. 800-437-4868.
Related Link: www.broxtonbridge.com

6/13/07
Reedy River Concert Series

Mystic Vibrations (6th), The Work (13th), Gigi Dover and The Big Love (20th), The Robbie Ducey Band (27th). Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic supper and sit back and enjoy a variety of musical concerts featuring jazz, country, patriotic, rock & roll, blues and reggae. This free, outdoor family event provides the perfect way to spend a warm summer night. Peace Center Amphitheater. 7-9 p.m.
Related Link: www.greatergreenville.com

6/20/07
Reedy River Concert Series

Mystic Vibrations (6th), The Work (13th), Gigi Dover and The Big Love (20th), The Robbie Ducey Band (27th). Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic supper and sit back and enjoy a variety of musical concerts featuring jazz, country, patriotic, rock & roll, blues and reggae. This free, outdoor family event provides the perfect way to spend a warm summer night. Peace Center Amphitheater. 7-9 p.m.
Related Link: www.greatergreenville.com

6/23/07
Round the 4th

Enjoy music, food and fun on the river. Event includes concerts, train rides, bass tournament, boat tours, arts and crafts, fireworks, kids’ pavilion and more.
Related Link: www.roundthefourth.com

6/27/07
Reedy River Concert Series

Mystic Vibrations (6th), The Work (13th), Gigi Dover and The Big Love (20th), The Robbie Ducey Band (27th). Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic supper and sit back and enjoy a variety of musical concerts featuring jazz, country, patriotic, rock & roll, blues and reggae. This free, outdoor family event provides the perfect way to spend a warm summer night. Peace Center Amphitheater. 7-9 p.m.

I apologize for causing you to miss the events on June 1, 2, and 3. I’ll try to post next month’s events during the last week of June.

festivals, SC, travel, entertainment, music, art, bands, museums, culture, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, Peace Center, Koger Center, shopping