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OUTDOORS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
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LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING MAGAZINE
FREE
CRUISE THE CARIBBEAN SEWE PREVIEW 2011 GUY HARVEY WINTER REDFISH
Who We Are Lowcountry Local First (LLF) is an alliance that works hard to keep the community vibrant by educating the public on the importance of supporting our local economy, and encouraging businesses and consumers to be environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. We are one of over 80 networks of the Business Alliance For Local Living Economies (BALLE) www.LivingEconomies.org. The Buy Local/Be Local Campaign is a grassroots effort designed to educate Lowcountry residents to Think Local when they are considering where to make purchases, to Buy Local whenever possible and to Be Local by supporting businesses that keep our community unique. We want to increase market share to independent, locally owned businesses by increasing awareness about the personal and community benefits of choosing local. WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT! Our efforts are only realized by an engaged, generous and growing membership. Call or click today to learn more about how you can join us in making a difference. 843.740.5444 www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org Lowcountry Local First is proud to be the signature charity for the 2011 Charleston Wine + Food Festival ®
Buying Local... KEEPS MONEY IN THE LOWCOUNTRY For every $100 spent at a locally owned business $45 goes back into our community vs. only $14 from a national chain store.
EMBRACES OUR UNIQUE COMMUNITY Our one-of-a-kind businesses are what keeps us from being “Anywhere USA.”
FOSTERS BETTER SERVICE Local businesses are owned by our friends and neighbors who are invested in our community and their customers.
CREATES MORE GOOD JOBS Local businesses are our regions’s largest employer and offer greater loyalty to their employees.
HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT The purchasing habits and central location of local businesses usually results in less transportation, congestion, sprawl and pollution.
SUPPORTS COMMUNITY GROUPS Non-profit organizations receive an average 350% more support from smaller business owners than they do from national businesses.
ENSURES YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT Independently owned businesses choose products based on what their customers want, not a national sales plan.
PUTS YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO GOOD USE Local businesses are a more efficient consumer of public services compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
SHOWS THE COUNTRY YOU BELIEVE IN THE LOWCOUNTRY!
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition February 18-20, 2011 • Charleston, SC
• Featured Artist:
Eldridge Hardie
• 120 Fine Artists • Cooking Demos by Lowcountry Chefs • DockDogs Competitions • “Living With Wolves” • Children’s Activities • Outdoor Outfitters/Guides
sewe.com • 843.723.1748
Editor’s Note
C H A R L E S T O N
OUTDOORS //LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
PUBLISHER JASON KIRBY jason@charlestonscoutdoors.com MARKETING/SALES DIRECTOR DAVID KIRBY david@charlestonscoutdoors.com SALES EXECUTIVE LAUREN GIFT lauren@charlestonscoutdoors.com COPY EDITOR LINDA MOONEY lindacmooney@yahoo.com ART DIRECTOR GRIFFIN BLACKWELDER griffin@charlestonscoutdoors.com IT DIRECTOR/WEBMASTER LARRY COLLETT lcollett@netgalaxystudios.com WRITERS LINDA MOONEY, MEREDITH SIEMENS, NICOLE PETTINELLI, MAGGIE WINTERFELDT, ELIZA JOHNSTON, JONATHAN CUMMINGS linda@charlestonscoutdoors.com meredithsiemens@gmail.com nicolempettinelli@yahoo.com maggie.winterfeldt@gmail.com elizakatejohnston@gmail.com geojonathan@gmail.com
We believe that Charleston and the Lowcountry offers one of the greatest examples of outdoor active living anywhere in the world. From its beaches and landscapes to the diversity of its people and cultures, the Lowcountry has something for every person of every age. Our mission is to inspire readers to take full advantage of the wonders that surround us here in the Lowcountry and throughout the world. ~Jason Kirby
PHOTOGRAPHERS JOHN LOTTERHOS, SALLY REMINGTON john@indiesunday.com salncrackers@yahoo.com OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTING LYNN KIRBY lynn@charlestonscoutdoors.com MARKETING/SOCIAL NETWORKING JULIE PARNELL julie@charlestonscoutdoors.com SARAH MARIE GLASS kristen@charlestonscoutdoors.com Published by Charleston SC Outdoors, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Charleston SC Outdoors. Charleston SC Outdoors magazine does not endorse or guarantee any product, service or vendor mentioned or pictured in this magazine in editorial or advertising space.
CONTENTS
20 Winter Redfish See the Red in the blue
13 Cruise the Caribbean Be Bahama-bound direct from Charleston
27 Running Gear
28 Birding
7 SEWE 2011 Preview
The Southeastern Wildlife Expo returns to Charleston
10 Oysters 16 Guy Harvey 24 Winter Gear
CALENDAR March 4
French Quarter Art Walk, Downtown Charleston, (843) 577-7101
February 18, 19, 20 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, (843) 723-1748, www.sewe.com
February 19
The 9th Annual 8K for H2O, 9am on the streets of Folly Beach, 2011 proceeds benefit Charleston Waterkeeper. Please contact MESSA at messa.cofc@ gmail.com
February 26 7th Annual Mardi-Crawl-on-Shem-Creek, kickoff at 12:00 p.m. at Red’s Ice House in beautiful downtown Mount Pleasant. www.lcparrotheads.org
February 26
6th Annual Life Point Gift of Life 5K/2K Run/Walk, James Island County Park. Register now on www.active.com
March 3, 4, 5, 6
Charleston Wine and Food Festival, Downtown Charleston, SC (843) 727-9998, www.charlestonwineandfood.com
March 12
4th annual Charleston Road Rally. The Rally begins at the Citadel Holliday Alumni Center in downtown Charleston. Registration begins at 3:30PM
March 12 Flowertown Festival Run and Walk- 5K, 10K, or 1 mile - supports Summerville Family YMCA March 17
Catch the Leprechaun 5K Run/Walk, 6:30pm, Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park, CatchtheLeprechaun@gmail.com
March 17
Festival of Houses & Gardens, selected by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, March 17 - April 16, 2011, (843) 722-3405
March 26
Half Rubber Tournament - Isle of Palms, for information call 843-886-8294
April 2 Cooper River Bridge Run, www.bridgerun.com (843) 856-1949
Photo Courtesey of Cooper River Bridge Run
Sewe
Southeastern
Wildlife Expo 2011 PREVIEW
Story by Maggie Winterfeldt
Photographs Courtesy of SEWE
This winter, Charleston will go to the dogs—and fish and birds and beasts of all kinds as the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) takes over downtown February 18-20, 2011. Now in its 29th year, the venerable winter event has grown into one of the largest wildlife and nature events in the nation and is expected to attract some 30,000 attendees. CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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SEWE’s “celebration of nature” promotes wildlife and na- When the family gets hungry, it’s time to sample some tasty ture art, conservation research and environmental educa- Lowcountry treats concocted by the Charleston Restaurant tion, attracting the world’s foremost leaders in the fields. Association in Restaurant Rows located in Marion Square Past guests have included Jack Hanna, Jeff Corwin and Jim and outside Gaillard Auditorium. Epicureans will want to Fowler. This year’s event includes a diverse lineup of ex- check out last year’s hit “Wild in the Kitchen.” In these hibits and events from more than 400 artists and exhibitors cooking demonstrations, Charleston’s finest chefs use fresh, setup throughout the downtown area, local food products to create scrumpranging from painting and sculpture tious dishes. Chefs include Jeremiah SEWE 2011 tickets start at $10 by world-renowned artists to educaBacon of Oak Steakhouse, Frank tional live animal shows. Collins of Circa 1886 and Michelle per day, with children under Weaver of Charleston Grill. Attendage 10 admitted for free. VIP New this year is the Creatures from ees can enjoy samples while meetpackages start at $350 per the Past Collection at the College of ing local food producers, processors Charleston’s Natural History Museand vendors from the Certified South couple and include perks such um. Complete skeletons of a giant arCarolina program. as weekend-long access to madillo, cave bear and saber-toothed the hospitality suite, an artist cat exist among some 2,000 fossils, “Outstanding food is one of the most of which are from mammals Charleston area’s greatest assets, and reception, black-tie gala and that once roamed the Lowcountry. we are pleased to be able to show off the popular SEWE soiree. For the first time, SEWE will also ofsome of the area’s best chefs, and fer screenings of two moving nature highlight some wonderful Certified films, Common Ground: The Story of South Carolina products and venthe ACE Basin and Lords of Nature: Life in a Land of Great dors. The sustainable food and “farm to table” movements Predators. tie in with SEWE’s message of conservation,” says SEWE Marketing Director Ashley Slane. Flock to Marion Square where falcons, eagles and hawks will soar in amazing free-flight demonstrations held by the The 2009 favorite “Living with Wolves” is back for an enCenter for Birds of Prey. Here, children can enjoy pony and core performance. You won’t want to miss researchers Jim camel rides, a petting zoo, rock-climbing wall and spider and Jaime Dutcher’s account of their six incredible years jump and even participate in SEWE’s Kids for Conserva- spent living with wolves in the Idaho wilderness. Slane detion program. scribes the presentation as “truly wonderful,” and includes it on her must-see list. Hop into one of SEWE’s complimentary shuttles and head to Brittlebank Park where the Dock Dogs competition, one of SEWE’s most popular events, is being held. Cheer on dogs of all kinds and skill levels as they compete in a variety of water jumping contests. Can’t get enough canines? Watch the Cooper River Retriever Club put their pups through the paces in the Retriever Demonstration. Also in Brittlebank Park is the Sporting Village, comprised of nearly 50 exhibitors including hunting, fishing and safari guides and outdoor outfitters. The Charleston Angler will hold fly fishing and cast net demonstrations nearby, including a brand new seminar entitled “Saltwater Inshore 101: Basics of Crabbing, Fishing and 08
LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
Shrimping.” Art lovers will enjoy a new exhibit of painting and sculpture by sporting and wildlife masters, such as Percival Rosseau and Robert Abbet, held at The Mills House Hotel. Curious about en plein air (“in open air”) painting? Take an introductory course from Heiner Hertling, painter, author and TV host of PBS’s “Your Brush with Nature.” Celebrated nature painter Carl Brenders will review his realistic painting technique with audiences while Robin Salmon of Brookgreen Gardens reviews the pieces in SEWE’s Collector’s Corner exhibit.
Oysters in the
Lowcountry By Eliza Johnston
Photographs by Sally Remington
It’s the tangy tradition that saturates the South-
ern social scene during the chilly winter months. Donned in mittens and armed with sharp knives, people gather around large tables with cold breaths in crisp air and engage in a battle of wills attempting to open these closed-shell mollusks. Oysters are at their best in December and local convention summons them to the table. Operating under the moniker Chief, the oystershucker connoisseur W.N. Walker who works at Pearlz claims oyster roasts “are something to get people to gather in the winter months. People stand around a big table, talk and celebrate true fresh seafood. It’s a way to bring people together that’s unique to Charleston.” A primitive food usually associated with privilege, oysters were relied on for more than their rich taste 10
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and seductively slippery texture. Native Americans used them as a valuable form of trade, particularly during their peak season. Moreover, much of Charleston’s infrastructure relies on their hard shells for support. The Battery is built on oyster beds and White Point Gardens is appropriately coined from the large piles of bleached oyster shells that originally covered its ground. Awendaw harbors oyster shells roughly 4,000 years old that were collected by the Sewee Indians. To date, there are 11 public oyster beds in Charleston County. However, these days the oyster’s primal nature is overshadowed by zealous shuckers and eager consumers. Oysters are prepared in a myriad of ways from Oysters Rockefeller and grilled oysters, which involves leaving the oyster in its half shell on the grill and adding butter, cheese and breading, to the more accustomed preparation of steamed oysters or raw oysters. Raw oysters, always primed by the dozen or half-dozen, are presented over crushed ice to keep them cold and “level them out to keep the liquid inside the shell. The liquid is the essence of the oyster,” according to Walker.
While purist oyster consumers often accompany their bite with cocktail sauce, traditional Mignonette Sauce complements their saline flavor. White wine is also great for oysters, particularly Trimbach or Pinot Grigio. “Any white wine with a citrus flavor cleans the palette and emphasizes the salinity of the oyster,” says Walker. For a nontraditional approach to oysters, the
cal oyster market is also infused with those from New England as well as the Pacific Northwest. Oysters from Royal Miyagi, British Columbia, that are brought to Charleston have a slightly briny, delicate taste with a cucumber finish and oysters from Blue Points, Connecticut, are large in size with a briny start and a sweet finish. After oysters have grown to their maximum size, which usually takes one to two years, oystermen collect the clusters, bring them back to the docks, wash them and deposit them into bushel bags. Ideally, these bags are sold within several hours so their fresh taste is maintained. Since oysters from the Gulf are plentiful, they are sold to restaurants and consumers by the pound. However, specialty oysters, such as those from Blue Point, are sold in count form instead. With local restaurants flying through pounds of various oysters, such as Pearlz which goes through roughly 320 pounds of Gulf oysters each night, oysters have deposited themselves as a cemented fixture on the Charleston dining landscape. Though most people, even natives, struggle with opening the fickle mollusks, Chief promises he “makes oysters look easy.”
“oyster shooter” has become a popular choice. Created in layers, the first layer of an oyster shooter is the oyster followed by spicy cocktail sauce and pepper vodka along with some lemon juice and Texas Pete for added heat. There are a lot of creative ways to eat an oyster, but the age-old epicurean questions remain: to chew or not to chew. Or just swallow. “It’s your discretion,” reminds Walker. Though oysters breed naturally in Charleston, the Gulf of Mexico, also known as Apalachicola Bay, produces 70 percent of the country’s oysters. The flavor profiles of oysters change with the region from which they hail. The Apalachicola Bay oysters have a soft, mild and slightly briny taste. Oysters from Charleston have a slightly sweeter flavor because of the currents “thrusting towards South Carolina from the gulf stream,” explains Walker. However, the loCHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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Cruise the
Caribbean Is it possible to find relief from the never-ending cold? We climb aboard Carnival Cruise Lines headed for the Bahamas to find out by Maggie Winterfeldt
After months spent in a down jacket and staring at my bars and lounges having an explicitly expressed theme—don’t pallid complexion in the mirror, I realize it’s time to plan a winter getaway. I bypass the ski slopes—unable to bear the thought of layering on more clothes—settling on tropical rejuvenation beneath the Caribbean sun. After researching all my vacation options, from cheap motels to beachfront all-inclusives, cruises emerge as the best value. Since Carnival launched the first year-round cruise program out of the Charleston Port Authority last spring, the “fun ship” has been sitting in our backyard, beckoning us to voyage to the Bahamas and beyond. Charlestonians are privy to a wide selection of last-minute deals and resident discounts on 5- to 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruises make this affordable way of travel even more economical. Military personnel can enjoy VIP status and exclusive discounts and promotions. Three friends and I book a five-day Bahamas cruise with stops at Freeport and Nassau for approximately $100 a day per person, including unlimited food and entertainment. We are responsible for the cost of all beverages, port excursions and additional services (such as spa treatments). As I embark, I’m awed by the sheer size of the ship, which towers 10 decks high and can accommodate up to 2,056 passengers. Out on the Lido deck, a reggae band welcomes us with live music. Faux palm trees line the pool while waiters pass out frozen drinks. The top decks house a miniature golf course, running track and waterslide that twists perilously above the open sea. Inside the glitzy atrium, illuminated glass elevators fly up and down transporting passengers to the casino or spa. Everything is flamboyantly decorated, with each of the numerous
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miss the Cleopatra bar!—and live musical entertainment. After we finish exploring the floating playground, we head down to our cabin. The accommodations are clean and comfortable, if a bit cozy for four people. We are glad we decided to upgrade to an outside room, as the view out the porthole is a source of endless fascination. Plus, it makes the cabin a bit less claustrophobic. Money and hunger do not exist on a cruise boat. Sail and Sign cards, which look similar to credit cards, function as room key, ID and means of payment, omitting the need for a wallet onboard altogether. Around-the-clock dining options satisfy even the largest of appetites. The formal dining room offers the most decadent menu; the multi-course dinner menu includes entrées such as New York strip steak and lobster. While the food doesn’t rival that of Charleston’s Chefs Brock or McKee, it’s enjoyable-and at 2 a.m. a fresh slice from the 24-hour pizzeria can’t be beat. The Fun Times, the boat’s newspaper, provides a detailed schedule of the day’s onboard activities. With the Bahamian seasonal highs below 80 degrees, it’s nice to have activity options beyond sunning. From bingo and scrapbooking in the morning to hairy chest contests and karaoke in the afternoon, there’s something to suit everyone. Carnival’s acclaimed youth programs provide entertainment for passengers ages 2 to 17. At our first port, Freeport, Bahamas, we were met by sparkling blue waters and picturesque sandy beaches. Carnival sponsored a variety of organized shore excursions, including a snorkeling trip and a Jeep Adventure. We decided to save money
by investigating the island on our own. Our first discovery was snail-like creature and passed it to the chef who diced, spiced that the downtown area is an unusually far 20-minute cab and cooked it. While the wait for our food was long, no one ride from the cruise port—fortunately, the standard fee is just seemed to mind while sipping a Bahamas Mama and watching $5 a person—and our second discovery the waves lap the shore. was that many areas of Freeport have The next day we docked in beauInsider Tips: not been rebuilt since 2004’s Hurricane tiful Nassau in the Bahamas. The bustling While bringing aboard one’s own beer Frances hit. Downtown hosts two main downtown is walking distance from the or liquor is strictly forbidden, each passhopping areas: the International Bazaar, ship and beautiful pastel-painted houses senger is allowed to bring one 750ml or less bottle of wine or champagne. which is smaller and caters to a more loline the streets, resembling a tropical Be an adventurous diner. If two appetizcal crowd, and the Lucayan Marketplace, Rainbow Row. After a successful round of ers look good, order them both—it’s all which offers a larger selection of goods shopping at the straw market, we took a included in the price anyway. and was built around tourism. short ride to Paradise Island, home of Cut down on the need to use cell phones We browse the Lucayan Marketthe famed Atlantis Hotel. A public beach at sea by using walkie-talkies to commuplace, strolling among the eclectic mix of adjacent to the Atlantis can be accessed nicate. If you don’t have your own, Carnival rents walkie-talkies on board. local crafts, boutiques and omnipotent for free and is full of vendors renting jet Arrive at embarkation about an hour or Columbia Emeralds. Next, we crossed the skis and banana boats, but families looktwo after it starts and you’ll cut down on street to access the beach. Heading away ing for a more structured day can purthe time spent waiting in line. from the crowds we walked toward Our chase an Atlantis Aquaventure day pass Check out the spa during port days as Lucaya Reef Village, where a little shack through Carnival, which offers access to prices tend to be cheaper than sea days. stood perched on a jet of beach. Live muthe hotel as well as 5 hours of fun at its If you don’t find the cruise you’re looking for out of Charleston, check out the sic poured out of the open-air structure phenomenal water-themed park. nearby Floridian ports of Jacksonville, and a sign reading “Welcome to Billy Joe’s On the final night, as the boat Tampa and Port Canaveral or even NorThe Conch Man” convinced us to enter. chugged northward, we found ourselves folk, VA—all within reasonable driving The menu featured fresh local conch precleansed of the winter blues, full of wondistance. pared a dozen ways. A burly man baring derful memories and eager to return to Participate in as many activities or as few as you like—remember it’s your vacation! an axe grabbed live conch from a bucket our Charleston lives. of saltwater, skillfully extracted the giant
guy harvey
Pleasant Guy Harvey’s
Story by Maggie Winterfeldt
Hideout
Guy Harvey, internationally renowned artist, Ph.D. marine biologist and mogul behind Guy Harvey, Inc., (an ocean foundation/magazine/research institute/Fort Lauderdale resort conglomerate), has just walked into his home away from home.
G
Guy Harvey’s Island Grille in Town Center is one of an ambitious chain of sustainable seafood restaurant/bar\ retail shop/art gallery hybrids. He has driven himself the 100 miles from Columbia—where he was at USC promoting his Gamecock T-shirt, part of a new series of SEC collegiate tees—to Charleston and is casually dressed in a Guy Harvey polo shirt and slacks. Virtually indistinguishable from the other patrons, he goes unrecognized by the diners, many of whom will be lining up to shake his hand at a Meet and Greet later in the afternoon.
and advance his bottom line—marine conservation.
We meet in the gallery, which is lined with pieces of Harvey’s work ranging from affordable poster-sized prints to a massive quarter-million-dollar original painting—although the unfussy Harvey, capable of creating such a painting and more than capable of purchasing it, doesn’t seem the type to whip out his checkbook for six-figure artwork. When I ask about his visit to USC, he talks Gamecock football with the fluency of a South Carolina native. Of the SEC T-shirt he shares, “The Gamecock design is acIn the 25 years since Harvey left his university professor- tually the best one that I’ve done because it’s just so colorship to pursue art full time, his images of vivid marine life ful with a lot of action in it.” have been licensed to more than a dozen manufacturers, appearing on every imaginable surface and being worn as We head out into the aquarium-filled main dining room, the unofficial uniform of outdoor enthusiasts. Guy Har- sitting down at a wooden table imprinted with one of vey, Inc., has shrewdly turned the coastal lifestyle into a Harvey’s drawings: a Mako shark. brand, expanding Harvey’s sphere of influence through projects and licensing opportunities that are profitable “I have a fulltime graphic artist working with me who CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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takes these images and makes them appear on tables what’s relevant,” he says with the conviction of a businesslike these, which I could never have done 10 years ago,” he man. says. “Modern technology has increased the demand for images on all sorts of things.” Painting what’s relevant has given Harvey more than commercial success. As he explains, “the bigger the brand gets, At this point in Harvey’s career, the volume of work the more conservation reach we can have. One feeds into in his library is so extensive that his graphic artists can the other.”
manipulate existing work to create new projects, like the blown-up images that cover the dining room walls and the racks of images embroidered, silk-screened, and emblazoned onto the racks of garments hanging in the retail shop. Yet, his passion for the craft is undiminished. “I paint every day. I love painting,” he says.
His theory paid off most recently with two shirts he designed after the BP gulf oil spill for the Save the Gulf Fisheries Restoration Fund, which looks beyond monetary compensation to evaluate the environmental effects of the disaster. Giving back $10 from each $20 T-shirt, he raised $500,000 in four weeks. He originally aimed to raise that amount in six months. “We never expected it to go Harvey’s love affair with art is matched by his passion for as well as this, where we’re raising half a million dollars in marine biology. “Both evolved at the same time, and now an event because of the effectiveness and broad reach of it’s a business,” he says. “As the brand grew to more areas, the brand. But I can’t emphasize how long it’s taken to get more regional marine species became relevant.” Conse- here. This is not an overnight deal.” quentially, Harvey’s subject matter expanded from the sailfish and dolphin fish of the southeast to the kelp bass Harvey speaks of marine wildlife with the same passion, and salmon of the northwest, including all the creatures in respect and knowledge with which he paints it. Shades between. “You’ve got to get with the program and paint of his professorial self come out when he discusses the 18
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marine conservation efforts he’s involved in, including a groundbreaking shark study at the Guy Harvey Research Institute involving shark finning. His hands move demonstratively over the outline of the shark on the table, pantomiming the “barbaric” practice in which sharks are indiscriminately caught, their fins and tail cut off with a sharp knife and their living bodies thrown back into the water to drown.
to mention his role as honorary ambassador of the coastal lifestyle. Despite his extraordinary success, Harvey is far from finished. His future is focused on marine conservation and education. Up next, he plans to come back to television with a documentary series focusing on the natural history of marine life species.
As I’m packing up after our interview, Harvey appears— evading his manager who is trying in vain to keep him on Shark finning is rampant in Asian nations where schedule—and places a copy of Guy Harvey Magazine in my status and myths surround the fins and the soup hand. He has thoughtfully dog-eared an article entitled “The 4 Lies of Shark Fin Soup,” which he thinks I will value made from them. His eyes widen and his words based on our earlier conversation. I mutter a “thank you,” pour out with intensity as he explains, “Some of but his manager has already swept him off to the next apthe bigger, sexier sharks, we just don’t know much pointment.
about them, and here we are extracting them left, right and center, not really knowing what we’re doing, except that we’re removing a vital part of the marine ecosystem, which is the apex predator.”
It’s difficult to reconcile how one man can become a predominant artist, major philanthropist, respected scientist and the head of a socially conscious business empire–not
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edfish Winter’s
In the winter, the clouds fade out and the sky burns from an opaque white to sapphire blue. The water takes on a translucent army green and the marsh grass turns a shade of honey.
Red Hot Catch
The 90-degree swelter is eaten by a crisp 50-degree wind and the true anglers replace fleets of pleasure boaters. Capt. Tucker Blythe, of Grey Ghost Charters, is among them and the only color he sees in the winter months is red.
By Meredith H. Seimens
Charleston shallow-water anglers not wanting to retire the rod for winter take to stalking large schools of redfish. Photographs by John Lotterhos The bottom-feeding fish school inshore and are found in great supply in estuaries and barrier islands down the East Much like a garden, the ocean has its seasons – each boast- Coast when other fish have headed for warmer waters. ing its own personality and inhabitants. Summer brings The winter temperatures improve the water’s clarity, althick, lazy clouds and murky waters with verdant green lowing redfish schools to be spotted easily on either side marsh grass hiding spirited schools of flounder, trout and of low tide. The ‘sight fishing’ attaches an added hunting kingfish. angle to the sport of chance.
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Capt. Tucker Blythe braves the cold and admires his catch Due to the variety of the redfish diet, they can be most easily found by searching out their food source. They often feed on crab, mud minnows, menhaden fish and shrimp.
explains as he long-poles closer to the huge school. Any noise on the boat--trolling motor, rods clinking or water lapping the sides--can spook the fish that are already on the watch for their dolphin predators.
When scavenging, they “tail” – exposing their dorsal fin through the water’s surface, making the nervous water and flicking fins easily apparent. In greater water depths, they can be found by spotting purple clusters just underneath the surface.
Once spotted and approached, redfish can be caught by rod or fly. Mullet serve as effective bait and a slow, steady method makes the sluggish fish a pretty certain catch. Once on the hook, redfish will offer enough fight to make it sporting and the hunt worthwhile.
While perhaps not the smartest catch, redfish can be In Charleston, anglers are allowed three redfish per day spooky, “requiring the fisherman to get sneakier,” Blythe within size requirements, but many anglers are employing CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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the catch-and-release method. This allows the fish, which are still in their younger stages during the winter months, to fully mature. The fishing is not the only action on winter waters. Much like the redfish, dolphins thrive in the colder months. The water is full of fins eager to play with the few boats of fishermen that brave the temperatures. The bird life also takes a boost with the summer echo of boats’ stereos being traded for a natural symphony of squawks, courtesy of pelicans, Oystercatchers and egrets unabashedly reclaiming their waters. For the first-time redfisher, Blythe offers a few necessities but guarantees a great day. “Good polarized glasses, some patience and proper clothes can make some of the best fishing of the year.” Not to mention, a front row seat to ocean colors few people are lucky enough to ever see. To Check it Out for Yourself Grey Ghost Charters www.greyghostcharters.com (843)670.8629
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Gear Skiing
Winter Gear SUGAR MOUNTAIN, NC With over 200 miles of pristine sandy beaches and beautiful marshlands, it’s easy to stay busy here in the Lowcountry spring, summer and fall. But what does one do during our short bout with winter? Hit the slopes! Winter is a perfect time to grab a roommate or the kids, pack up the car and head to Carolina’s Appalachian Mountain range. Located just five and a half hours northwest of Charleston, Sugar Mountain is the largest ski resort in the Carolinas and offers 115 acres of snow trail access and an array of fun winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, tubing and snowshoeing. The mountain offers dramatic scenery and boasts the largest vertical drop in the area – a more than respectable 1,200 feet. Skiers and snowboarders can choose from the 20 different trails varying from beginner to expert. Because of the southern coordinates, snow conditions are good but temperatures remain temperate most of the winter, making it a perfect location. In January, Charleston Outdoors Magazine had the opportunity to head to Sugar Mountain for a weekend of fresh powdery fun. It snowed continuously for two days, dumping 22 inches of fresh powder. We tested a few pieces of gear to see how they held up to the colder than usual conditions and found they all kept us warm, dry and able to have fun for hours.
Story and Photos by Nicole Pettinelli
Smith Anthem Goggles We picked the Smith Anthem goggles because of our tester’s narrow face and difficulty finding a pair of good fitting goggles. The Smith Anthem ski goggles not only fit small faces, but they also have all of the latest features like the Smith Regulator adjustable lens, ventilation design, spherical Smith Carbonic-X™ lens with Vaporator™ lens technology, and plush, dual-layer DriWix™ Face Foam along all your skin contact areas. These lenses stayed clean, clear and fog-free all day.
Available at Time Out Sport and Ski $68-110
Arc’teryx Hyllus Hoody Jacket The Arc’teryx Hyllus Hoody is one of our hard fleece favorites! The Hyllus is perfect for high-intensity aerobic activity and excels during temperate winter weather. Because of the particularly cold weekend, we chose to wear another lightweight mid-layer jacket under it for added warmth. Arc’teryxs has made the Hyllus Hoody jacket with a Durable Water Repellent finish (DWR) that sheds snow and light rain with ease. It is insulated with a super warm high loft polyester interior that traps heat yet the highly breathable Powershield O2™ outer shell moves heat and perspiration out quickly. The elbows are slightly bent to emulate a more natural feel, since no one keeps their arms perfectly straight and especially not during activity. The signature Arc’teryx arm pocket is a great place for a hotel or car key and the two zippered pockets and two interior mesh pockets give lots of options for storing personals. The large hood keeps your head warm during those chilling chairlift rides and with all these great features, it’s no surprise this jacket won Outside magazine’s Gear of the Year award.
Available at Half-Moon Outfitters $375.00
Smartwool PhD Medium Ski Sock Without the right socks, skiing with cold, wet toes can be downright miserable. Luckily, there is the Smartwool PhD Ski sock by Smartwool clothing company located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Steamboat Springs is nicknamed “Ski town, USA” and is responsible for producing more Olympic athletes than anywhere else in the world. These guys know skiing and snow sports better than anyone. Smartwool uses wonderfully soft, itch-free merino wool made from the finest wool in New Zealand. Merino wool is known for its breathability, temperature regulation, odor-reduction and ability to naturally keep sweat and moisture away from feet, leaving them feeling fresh, dry and warm. Smartwool PhD socks use 4 Degree Fit System technology™ which gives an amazing feeling of comfort and support while keeping socks in place during downhill jaunts.
Available at Half-Moon Outfitters $23.95
The North Face Freedom Pant Great fitting snow pants that are loose and comfortable, seal out cold and guarantee waterproofness with sealed seams and Hyvent™ waterproof material. Zippered hand warmer pockets keep hands toasty and the large cargo pocket is the perfect place to stash goggles or other gear on the fly. Built-in gaiters keep snow and ice out and warmth in. The knees are articulated and reinforced to take a beating by even the biggest amateur snowboarder. These pants were very warm yet able to breath well with built-in leg zipper vents known as the North Face Chimney Venting™ system. Available at Time Out Sport and Ski $129.00
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RUNNING GEAR
BY NICOLE PETTINELLI
Shorts should be lightweight and made from a tech-
nical fabric that “wicks” sweat away from the body and allows the surface of the short to dry quickly. The numberone cause of chaffing is a fabric’s inability to keep sweat away from skin. Pictured: North Face Women’s Elli Trail Short $40 Available at www.thenorthface.com
socks
The best for running are those that are made from a blend of synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon and CoolMax because they keep moisture out and leave feet dry and blister-free. When running in colder temperatures, a wool blend such as SmartWool™ running socks are also a good choice. Pictured: Patagonia Ultra Lightweight Endurance Anklet Sock $15
Available at Half-Moon Outfitters
shirts
Look for that are made from lightweight, moisture-repellent materials and offer UltraViolet protection in the fabric. Choose light colors in the summer or hotter times of the year to deflect the sun’s heat and darker colors during winter or colder times of the day to retain heat. With all shirts, make sure to pick one with a reflective logo or patch to give visibility to cars during low-light times of day. Pictured: The North Face Impulse 1/4 Zip Shirt $59.95
Available at Half-Moon Outfitters
shoes
Running are the most important piece of equipment for runners. The right shoes help prevent injury and make the running gait more efficient. Always get fitted for shoes by a reputable local dealer, such as Trysports in Mount Pleasant, which offers the free “5 Steps to the Perfect Fit” system. Pictured: Mizuno Wave Creation 12 $130
Available at TrySports
Birding
in South Carolina
bird watching
Not Just for the Birds
Story and Photos by Jonathan Cummings
Quick! Think of an exciting outdoor activity you can enjoy right here in the Lowcountry that is both thrilling and relaxing at the same time. Got one? I know what you are thinking…birdwatching! Right? Now I don’t want to ruffle anyone’s feathers, so if you answered kayaking, surfing or fishing then that’s okay, but as longtime bird lover Ann Shahid might argue, if it’s an adrenaline rush you want, look no further than, well,up. “It’s like being a child on an Easter egg hunt. Finding a bird is like finding an egg and every now and then you find the golden egg and that’s a bird that is rare, threatened or endangered, one that you wouldn’t find on a regular basis,” says Ann. Ann works for the South Carolina Audubon Society as the Important Bird Areas Coordinator and the Climate and Energy Outreach Coordinator and has been birding for 26 years. She fondly remembers the first time she saw a painted bunting. “I had no idea we had wild birds in this area that had every color of the rainbow! That’s what turned me into a birdwatcher. I saw one and thought, it was someone’s escaped pet,” says Ann.
Painted buntings are just one of more than 400 species that can be found in South Carolina. The subtropical climate with its hot, humid summers and mild winters, matched with a diversity of habitats makes South Carolina home to a wide variety of birds. This in turn makes it a popular place for birdwatchers (or “birders” as they affectionately call themselves). But birding is not just about seeing a bird and being able to name it. It is about patience and being aware of the world around you. It is about taking the time to sit quietly and observe nature. Birds teach us a lot about ecology and how living things interact within a system. They also let us know when something is wrong.
“They are kind of like the proverbial canary in the coal mine; they let us know when we’re screwing up,” says Ann. Poor water quality, air pollution and climate change all have major impacts on wildlife, but it is through birds that we often first see these red flags. One well-known example is the book Silent Spring written by Rachel Carson, published in 1962. Back in the 1940’s and 50’s a popular pesticide known as DDT indirectly took a toll on birds, including our beloved bald eagle. It was through the heavily declining bird populations that scientists were first alerted to the dangers of DDT, and being a scientist herself, Carson wrote the book in an effort to raise awareness to the issue. The book is attributed to helping launch the environmental movement, and it ultimately helped lead to the ban on DDT use in the United States in 1972.
Birds seem to hold a special place in our heart. We are captivated by their colors, enchanted by their songs and enthralled, somewhat enviously, by their ability to fly. They inspire our arts and represent our ideals often appearing as symbols for things we hope to achieve like peace, wisdom and longevity. Yet every day each of us probably passes by hundreds of birds as we go about our daily routines and rarely do we pay them much attention. Birding, however, trains us to notice the little things; to slow down and focus our attention on something other than ourselves. Each bird has its own schedule, its own needs and its own life. It is birding that helps us better understand their lives and, upon reflection, maybe better understand our own.
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