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.

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Recently, a local excavation project in Snowmass Village, CO uncovered a plethora of prehistoric bones, fossils and plant specimens perfectly preserved in a deep layer of peat.  It’s considered to be one of the largest fossil finds in the country and definitely for the state of Colorado. Not only was this large group of animals found all in one place, there are remnants of ice age beasts not normally thought to live at such a high elevation.

Imagine my surprise to learn that the Alabama Gulf Coast also has a rich history where the landscape was inhabited by sloth, mammoth and mastodons!

How can it be that the same creatures were able to survive (well for a time, at least) in two such different and opposing climates?

Visitors can further their understanding of the Gulf Shores, Alabama sea life and land creatures with the help of the Weeks Bay Foundation.  This intricate landscape encompasses over 6,000 acres of land and water in and around the Weeks and Mobile Bay areas. Visitors should take advantage of the free educational interpretive center and two boardwalks.

As you’re enjoying the beachfronts, waterways and local eats, can you imagine what it would’ve looked like 11,000 years ago with mastodons, sloths and mammoths roaming the neighborhoods?

Do you think you could trace their steps forward to see what has evolved as modern day creatures inhabiting the area?

How many of them are now celebrated with local festivals or served regularly at the nearby restaurants?

Rev up your imagination, grab the kids and begin exploring the Gulf Shores of Alabama with the mindset of a paleontologist or archaeologist and create your own stories of evolution and adaptation of the species on the daily menu or strolling the beaches.

Function is the key in renovating the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington. Visitors are not going to notice much of a change after this four year renovation project is complete with most of the changes focusing on updating the public market’s core infrastructure to take it through its next century. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have been updated and important historic buildings are benefiting from improved seismic stability. Continuing work will improve accessibility to the market with three new elevators and an extensive bathroom remodeling procedure.

Known as “The Soul of Seattle,” Pike Place Market was originally brought to life on August 17, 1907 when farmers brought their produce directly to the people of Seattle who showed up in overwhelming numbers. The farmers’ goods were sold out by 11:00 am thus beginning a supply and demand market that opened its own building with every space filled by the end of that first year. Today, the market is internationally known as America’s premier farmers’ market housing over 200 year round businesses.

“The Market,” as it is known by the locals, pulls in nearly 10 million visitors a year to enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment provided by street performers and musicians. The Market remains open during the renovation and with Phase II of IV wrapping up this month many businesses will be relocated back to their original locations and seasonal vendors returning. Heritage Tours also continue during construction and are offered daily each weekday but must be scheduled in advance. See The Market Foundation for more information on tours that will illustrate The Market in a way many visitors never get to see.  

To get the full experience of The Market, we recommend a multi-day visit. While touring Seattle, stay only minutes from all the shopping and entertainment at Hotel Five, one of the premier hotels in Seattle. With plush mattresses and linens, a breakfast and lunch café, business traveler amenities, and a well-equipped fitness center, Hotel Five is centrally located to be your home away from home while visiting the historic Pike Place Market and the vibrant city of Seattle, Washington.

Pike Place Market photo made possible by Creative Commons.

Protecting the majesty that is Hawaii and its surrounding islands is no easy feat. Regardless, local residents and government bodies have made it their calling to safeguard the lush vegetation and unique ocean animals of Hawaii by helping to maintain Hawaii State Marine Life Conservation Districts like Honolua Bay and Mokule’ia Bay.

Currently, there are eleven Marine Life Conservation Districts established around the islands that preserve the glorious natural beauty that Hawaii has to offer. The conservation districts are essential for local residents and have also become preferred spots for diving, snorkeling and other underwater activities. Get to know a little about the Honolua-Mokule’ia Bay District here:

• Both bays are located near Kapalua Resort in Maui, Hawaii. Kapalua Resort is proud to persevere in its mission to maintain the 22,000 acres it rests on and keep it established as not only luxury lodging, but as a safe place for the flora and fauna and fishes of the area.

• Mokule’ia Bay is known to the locals simply as “slaughterhouse”. Years ago a slaughterhouse and tanning (animal hide tanning that is) shop was located directly on the edge of the cliffs that overlook the beach. The slaughterhouse closed more than fifty years ago.

• Both Honolua and Mokule’ia Bays were established in 1978 and are comprised of 45 acres.

• Honolua means “Two Bays”

• There are over 400 species of fishes in the coastal waters of Hawaii including those found in Honolua and Mokule’ia Bays.

Are you searching for an alternative to your regular family beach vacation? Then it is time to Discover Southport and Oak Island in North Carolina. With 28 miles of gorgeous Atlantic Ocean beachfront, the area excels in the standard beach goers activities like swimming, building sandcastles, combing for seashells, golf, fishing, kayaking, scuba diving and more. Lesser known attractions that your whole family can enjoy will get you off the beaten path and out of a vacation routine:
Learn about Southern History – The whole family can enjoy a FREE self-guided walking tour on the Historic Southport Trail. Make history come alive as you enjoy a relaxed one mile walk through charming Historic Southport. Continue a history lesson traveling a short distance to Wilmington, NC. On the way, stop at the Fort Fisher Civil War Museum. Remains of the earthen fort that kept the Cape Fear River and the port of Wilmington open to blockade runners, which delivered vital supplies to the Confederate armies until the fort fell on January 15, 1865. Among many historical points in Wilmington, the whole family will enjoy touring The USS North Carolina Battleship. She is preserved just as she was in World War II and has been the site for many dramatic documentations and action films.
Discover Under the Sea – Before you leave Fort Fisher, be sure to take the whole family to The North Carolina Aquarium. Here you can meet Luna, a rare albino alligator currently weighing in over 54 lobs and 6 feet in length. The kids will also enjoy hands on experience with sea stars and can sign up for a summer camp on the island. Best of all, you and your family will get to see close up what is living in the waters you are typically only swimming in.
Connect with Nature – Back on Oak Island there are many trails and parks for enjoying North Carolina’s exceptional natural environment. Be sure to visit the Oak Island Nature Center overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. The Center has live animal exhibits as well as educational activities and programs with walkways to the water. Dedicated to a former Mayor Dorothy Kelly, the Dot Kelly Memorial Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden is a natural setting that attracts these creatures so you and your family can enjoy them in their typical surrounding.
See it All – Get a bird’s eye view of the island as you fly down the coastline in an open air cockpit, waving at beachgoers and occasionally spotting dolphins, sea turtles and more. Oak Island Sport Planes also offers flight lessons for the adventurous types.
Stay all Summer – Whether you are looking for a weekend retreat or a month long getaway, Margarat Rudd & Associates Realtors can find a long or short-term vacation rental to suit your needs. Vacation rental lodging is perfect for a family or group vacation where you want the cost savings and convenience of having your own kitchen, washer/dryer, and parking. Many units are also pet-friendly so your entire family can enjoy the trip! Visit Rudd’s website to view their current Oak Island Vacation specials.