School is back in session. Cool evening breezes are blowing. Mornings are seemingly darker.

All indications that fall is sneaking up on us. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter and begs for last minute outdoor activities before the cold, dark days of winter are upon us.

If you have young, school age children, chances are you will need to collect some autumn leaves for art projects and science lessons. So why not get a head start and make your child look like an over-achiever (even if they’re not) and get out and explore where the best species and colors are found?

Garrett County’s Autumn Glory Festival would be the perfect place to gain inspiration with their fine arts exhibits and craft shows.

 Plus, it’s a great time to relish the recreational activities and get outdoors!

You can spend plenty of time indoors sorting your finds and counting all the money you saved with Deep Creek specials after you’ve worn yourself out with biking, hiking, golf and a plethora of family activities.

So, RUN don’t walk!

Fall colors!

Fun activities!

Affordable, comfortable vacation homes!

Plan your arrival before the cold winds of winter begin to blow.

Welcome back!

Are you dreaming of a Maui vacation  but can’t get over the language and pronunciation of some of those Hawaiian words? Perhaps you’re dreaming of sounding like a kamaaiana but don’t know the jargon. Or perhaps you’re trying to reserve a Maui condo rental, but you can’t figure out one resort name from the other.

Although some Hawaiian words can be intimidating just by the sheer number of letters contained in them, lauwiliwilinukunukuoioi for example,   

   it’s interesting to note that the language consists of only 5 vowels and 7 consonants! Practicing breaking down the syllables and applying the correct pronunciation can be vital to not getting your okole kicked and not making you sound like a haole.

Once you’ve mastered the Hawaiian alphabet and syllable breakdown, get ready to learn how to speak Hawaiian with a local flair so you can avoid sounding aznuts. You’ll find it to your advantage to know the difference between a lua and a luau so you don’t inadvertently look like a lolo buggah and get asked in a heated fashion, “Like beef?”

So, practice wiki wiki, enjoy the island paradise without sounding like a malihini and have planny good times on your vacation.

Many tourists dream of an island vacation but are turned away by high prices and crowded beaches. Nearly everyone knows the main beaches and attractions that draw people to the islands. But the island paradise of Kihei remained relatively unknown and uninhabited until the government began selling off its property in the 1930’s.

The turning point for Kihei was in the late 1960’s when water was piped in and developers saw the area’s potential to draw in beach dwellers with affordable Maui condominium rentals. Once visitors began foregoing the lush landscapes of other Hawaiian locales for the opportunity to save some dough, it wasn’t long before this became the turning point for Kihei and its tourism draw. 

Today you can create a turning point in your vacation planning and again pursue the dream of a tropical island vacation. Less crowded beaches, golf and water sports allow visitors to experience the wonders of the island without sacrificing the Maui experience or the budget. Kihei has also become known for offering craft fairs, music and concert events, and plenty of family fun.

There are many reasons for choosing a fun-filled, family vacation to the pristine sands of Maui such as the great food, fun activities and amazing weather – it’s no wonder thousands flock to Maui’s shores each year. All of these reasons aside, many will tell you the most appealing aspect of the magical island, are the world-famous beaches. Whether you want to ride the waves on your surf board, bask in the sun and work on your tan or walk the smooth sand with a loved one, there is surely a beach in Maui to fit your needs. If you want to be close to the best beaches in Maui, check out the sweet vacation rentals from Maui Vista Condos. Read on to discover a Maui beach that will perfectly complement your warm island escape!

• Kama’ole Beach Park I – One of Maui’s most popular beaches, this island gem has an exquisite stretch of sand parallel to cool, emerald green grass. With a lifeguard on duty during the day, parking and bathrooms, this beach is a premium family-friendly location.

• Kama’ole Beach Park II – Like its sister beach, Kama’ole I, Kama’ole Beach Park II provides beach-goers with the assurance and comfort of an on-duty lifeguard during the daylight hours. This particular beach in particular offers pleasant snorkeling waters as well as majestic scenery.

• Kama’ole Beach Park III – The last of the beach triplets, Kama’ole III is a popular option for those who prefer more space on the grass to enjoy the sweet humidity and white capped waves of the Pacific Ocean. Before you head to this bustling beach, put together a fresh picnic to enjoy between swimming and tanning.

• Charley Young Beach – This fun little beach is actually an extension of Kama’ole Beach Park I. If you want to try your hand at fishing but you’re not ready for a sea excursion, cast your line at Charley Young. Swimming and snorkeling are also awesome water activities that guests and locals enjoy at this beach.

• Keawakapu Beach – If you brought Fido along on your family vacation, feel free to bring him/her to this beach! Keawakapu is a dog-friendly beach, perfect for walking your four-legged companion anytime of the day. As with other top Maui beach selections, Keawakapu is full of luscious sand and open for a great swim.

The peaceful elegance and intriguing scenery of the island’s beaches allows locals and guests the opportunity to experience the gift that Mother Nature has bestowed upon the treasured island of Maui.

Murrells Inlet in South Carolina is bursting at the seams with a fascinating and sometimes chilling history. Tales of pirates (yeah, the kind with eye patches) have been passed down for hundreds of years enticing locals and visitors alike to search for their own hidden treasures. It’s said that the famed Blackbeard himself took refuge in the creeks of Murrells Inlet waiting to attack ships bound for England. Other notable pirates like Stede Bonnet and Calico Jack Rackham also terrorized their fair share of the South Carolina coast.

Beginning in the 1700s Murrells Inlet made its debut in the rice industry and had cultivated close to 47 million pounds of rice by 1850. This lucrative business made many South Carolina rice planters very wealthy including one Joseph Alston, who eventually became South Carolina’s governor. To many people’s surprise, during this time, rice planters in South Carolina became wealthier and more powerful than their tobacco and sugar plantation counterparts in the southeast. Unfortunately, the success and wealth of rice plantations came to an abrupt halt in 1863 when the Civil War intruded on the shores of Murrells Inlet. Confederate troops were secretly using the inlet as a port to send products such as cotton to England in exchange for medicine, food and other war supplies. When the Union learned of this their warships attacked the confederate blockade destroying part of the inlet and a large portion of the rice industry. Although no one could predict this at the time, between the Civil War and a series of hurricanes that followed, South Carolina’s rice industry would be completely gone by 1916.

Following the Civil War, South Carolina in general and Murrells Inlet specifically got into the commercial fishing industry and by 1914 were offering fishing excursions as a recreational opportunity for guests and locals of Murrells Inlet. The commercial fishing industry became an advantageous market for Murrells Inlet although it never became the behemoth that the rice plantations developed into. As a couple decades past on and the Great Depression assaulted the majority of the United States, Murrells Inlet had a bit of good fortune in New York millionaire, Archer Milton Huntington when he rolled into town. Huntington had plans to build an audacious compound for himself and his wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington. Mr. Huntington commissioned all local workers to develop his 9,000 acre estate including brick masons, carpenters, landscapers and painters. Not only did he spend millions of dollars on his homestead, he also funded a community center, medical clinic and church for the people of Murrells Inlet.

Murrells Inlet is a hidden gem of abundant history and enchanting stories for all ages to enjoy. Just 20 minutes from Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet is an ideal family vacation destination.