Keeping Our Beaches Beautiful and Protected

Only a few months from the two year anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf, and it’s in the news again. Or is it still? Either way, the news is all good; for residents, business owners, and travelers!

• Damage claims resume
• Required 6% hold-back on claims no longer applies retroactively (good decision, Your Honor)
• Victims won’t be required to give any portion of their received monies back (which means they don’t have to stick it to the consumer to get it back)
• The beaches have been clean for awhile                         
• TRAVELERS RETURNED to give many businesses a much-improved 2011

A lot of money, blood, sweat, and tears went into returning the beaches to their former pristine beauty.

Now residents and holiday visitors can help to further restore the beaches and dunes by

RECYCLING CHRISTMAS TREES!   

So, if you’ve been vacationing in one of the many Gulf Shores condo rentals, staying in a rental home or reside in the area year round, you’ll want to drive by the Gulf State Park Pier and drop your Christmas tree at the parking lot toward the east end.  This effort will not only help preserve and protect these fragile beaches, but it will bring new meaning to ‘Take only pictures. Leave only memories.’

Bring the family back next year and remember how you helped to build the secondary dune line.
Or go to Middle Lake and create stories about how your Christmas tree  may be one of those that were sunk under the dock to attract fish!

I’ve often left my Christmas tree out for the birds to have protection during the cold, winter months of the Midwest. I never imagined you could have the same sense of satisfaction in a warmer climate!

Welcome back!

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.

Hilton Head Island is a popular, family-friendly destination. Countless activities like parasailing and concerts make Hilton Head Island a prominent vacation destination. A unique aspect that puts Hilton Head Island ahead of its competitors is the intricate pathway network that allows visitors and locals to bicycle or walk between communities, beaches and other areas.

Having such a well-thought out biking system allows Hilton Head Island to reduce traffic and congestion that are common in resort towns. Each pathway system has a distinct kiosk that maps out the bike path for travelers and gives descriptions on where to find beach access, rest stops, points of interest and educational information on the surrounding area. Sea Pines, one of the area’s largest communities also has these kiosks providing maps of the Sea Pines bike trails. Biking isn’t only an exhilarating and fun vacation activity; it’s also an environmentally friendly alternative to traveling by car.

Hilton Head Island boasts 6 miles of bike lanes, 117 miles of shared-se pathways and 108 miles of paved shared use pathways. These pathways are a great opportunity for novice riders to gain experience or for more skilled riders to explore. The pathways are not the only area in Hilton Head that welcomes bicyclists. The area’s 12 miles of hard packed beach encourages people to take a leisurely bike ride along the ocean and take in a glorious sunrise or sunset.

Bicycling is quickly becoming a popular pastime for all ages to enjoy. It’s not hard to see why thousands flock to Hilton Head Island to enjoy its breathtaking coastal waters, charming ambiance and environmentally friendly culture.

One of the most popular activities for people traveling to the alluring island of Maui is to take part in a famed Hawaiian feast most commonly known as a luau. Many Maui condo rentals, like those found at Kamaole Sands, are conveniently located near the best luaus on the island.  With an array of Hawaiian delicacies and beverages to choose from, attending a luau at least once is a must for any and all travelers to the Hawaiian Islands. But when the lights go down and you’re headed back home to friends and family who missed out on the action, how will you explain to them what a wonderful delight a luau really is? By throwing one of course! Follow these five easy steps to creating a luau celebration in your own backyard.

1.)    Purchase tiki torches for your yard and/or porch. You can buy tiki torches with oil for a live flame or flameless torches are also available.. Place the torches strategically around your space to create a party ambiance. Don’t forget a few citronella candles to keep the pests away!

2.)    When guests arrive, greet them by placing a traditional flower lei around their neck. Leis can be purchased at many party supply stores in a variety of colors. If you’re looking for something more authentic, online retailers sell and ship leis with real flowers.

3.)    Make a spread of typical Hawaiian food. Delicious fare at a luau can include Lomi Salmon, Chicken Luau and Laulau.

4.)    Fun libations like Pina Coladas and Mai Tais are popular drinks among luau attendees. Also, have a few juices on hand for festive non-alcoholic drink options.

5.)    Last but certainly not least, genuine Hawaiian luau music will set the tone for a party to remember!