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LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING MAGAZINE
BIKE THE CHUCK it’s time to join the two-wheel revolution
WRECK DIVING on the hunt for burried treasure
SUMMER GEAR GUIDE
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SPRING KAYAKING where to go and what you’ll need to explore the charleston coastline
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CONTENTS
FEATURES 08 Spring Paddling It’s Springtime in the Lowcountry and that is the perfect time to grab a paddle and get the boat in the water.
14 Bike the Chuck With its flat roads and scenic views, Charleston is quickly becoming a bicyclists paradise. We will show you why it’s time to ditch the gas guzzler and grab the nearest thing with 2 wheels!
20 Searching the Deep Off the coast and about 100 feet down you will find enough adventures and thrills to satisfy even the most extreme weekend warrior and that’s not all you might find...
08 DEPARTMENTS 05 CALENDAR Spoleto and 5k Races
06 DESTINATIONS Special Destination: Jamaica
12 GEAR Paddling necessities
24 OUTDOOR LIVING Get your grill and deck ready for summer
26 Safety Alert Roeper St. Francis drops by to impart some words of wisdom and useful tips to keep you OUTDOORS and out of their ER.
28 Out of the Kitchen Our friends Chef Brett Mckee and family show us how they enjoy the fantastic weather. It’s good food and good company!
EXCLUSIVELY AT CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM Blogs, Events, News, and the latest information on everything OUTDOORS in Charleston and the Lowcountry Also follow us on twitter.com/chuckoutdoors
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S TA F F
C H A R L E S T O N
OUTDOORS //LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
JASON KIRBY
PUBLISHER JASON KIRBY jason@charlestonscoutdoors.com MARKETING DIRECTOR DAVID KIRBY david@charlestonscoutdoors.com COPY EDITOR LINDA MOONEY linda@charlestonscoutdoors.com
MEREDITH SIEMENS
IT DIRECTOR/WEBMASTER LARRY COLLETT lcollett@netgalaxystudios.com WRITERS LINDA MOONEY, MEREDITH SIEMENS linda@charlestonscoutdoors.com meredithsiemens@gmail.com
LINDA MOONEY
PHOTOGRAPHER SULLY SULLIVAN sully@ohsully.com CREATIVE CONSULTANT/PHOTOGRAPHER AMANADA ROWELL amanda@charlestonscoutdoors.com OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTING LYNN KIRBY lynn@charlestonscoutdoors.com
AMANDA ROWELL
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.
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CALENDAR May 1 Run Forrest Run 5K Race 5 pm. The Charleston RiverDogs host the race at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Stadium 360 Fishburne St. May 1 TRY Charleston Triathlon www.TryCharleston.org May 1 Bike Safety for Kids 10 am-2 pm. The North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum 4975 Center Point D May 8, The Charleston Dragon Boat Festival, Brittlbank Park May 8 Folly Pier Fishing Tournament 6am-4pm May 9, Atlantic Bank & Trust Duathlon Run/Bike/ Run Johns Island, 8am 843853-9987
Beach Fishing Pier, 7-11pm, $10, (843) 795-4FUN. May 22 – 6/7 - Piccolo Spoleto Festival – Produced by the city of Charleston, piccolospoleto.com, spoletousa. org. May 23 World Turtle Day at The South Carolina Aquarium Turtles are terrific. Celebrate this special day for turtles with the South Carolina Aquarium. June 4, 25 - Moonlight Mixer’s Shaggin’ on the Pier Folly Beach Fishing Pier, 7-11pm, $10, (843) 7954FUN. June 5 - Annual Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Fest – Waterfront Park in Mt. Pleasant, 10am-8pm, www.sweetgrassfestival.org, (843) 856-9732.
ton 843-724-7327 June 12 Reggae Nights Summer Concert Series James Island County Park, 7:30pm, $8, www.ccprc.com, (843) 795-4FUN. June 12 Floppin’ Flounder 5K, Sullivans Island 843881-7077 June 20 James Island Sprint Tri#1, James Island County Park 843-881-8872 June 26 Night Lights 5K Mount Pleasant 843-8564206 For more events go to charlestonscoutdoors.com facebook.com/ charlestonscoutdoors
BBS May 14 - Moonlight Mixer’s Shaggin’ on the Pier – Folly
June 5 Hampton Park Fun Run 5K/1M 8am, Charles-
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D E S T I N AT I O N
JAMAICA
In early February, when the whole country seemed suspended in a deep freeze that would keep even the earliest risers prisoner under their covers, I leapt out of bed, padded
over to the computer, and entered my favorite Facebook status to date: Jamaica Bound! After a quick connection in Charlotte, a few hours later the temperature was 86 degrees. Upon leaving the airport, the first thing I noticed was that the pace (even by Lowcountry standards) was extremely laid back. From the wonderfully friendly people to the warm blue Caribbean waters and eclectic cuisine, Jamaica is a culturally rich and beautiful place to escape to. Though, it seems to be set up more for relaxation as opposed to the family destination or the adrenaline-craving weekend warrior. Below are some of my favorite spots in Jamaica. Each one created many lasting memories that I will never forget: Best place to watch the sunset: Rick’s Cafe Rick’s is located on the West End Cliffs in Negril, just a five minute bus ride from Seven Mile Beach. The main structure of Rick’s is actually built right into the cliff side thus allowing views of insane daily diving demonstrations and amazing golden sunsets. Tip: Get there early, try the Planters Punch, and find a spot overlooking the diving area Best day trip: The YS Falls The YS Falls are located near the southern coast of 06
LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
Jamaica in the ‘breadbasket’ Parish of St. Elizabeth. The giant jungle falls are fed by Blue Mountain azure spring water that is as invigorating as it is beautiful. There are areas to dive, climb, and hike and there are guides to help ensure your visit is a safe one. For a locale that is as relaxing as Jamaica, the YS Falls can create real blood pumping excitement. Tip: Bring trail shoes Best Beach: Seven Mile Beach, Negril There are a lot of amazing white sand beaches in Jamaica but the best is definitely Seven Mile. Sure, it has the trappings of any other resort cluttered beach but the quality of the sand and the sheer amount of things to do is why it is number one. It has every single beach sport and activity you can think of from volleyball to parasailing and restaurants that serve authentic Jamaican fare with ice cold Red Stripe. Tip: Walk the beach at least once In Jamaica, I met a lot of travelers who said that they had visited the island multiple times. I myself have always wanted to go somewhere just once then try something new. I figured that while a place may be great, there are so many to see. I’ve learned there are worse places than Jamaica to visit twice, in fact I can honestly say I am having trouble waiting to go back.
-Jason Kirby Publisher
Above: Fishing boats line the shore of a black sand beach Side: One of the many aqua pools of the YS Falls Below: A catamaran out for a sunset cruise off SevenMile Beach in Negril
Photos by Amanda Rowell
WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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SPRING PADDLING NAVIGATING THE LOWCOUNTRY WRITTEN BY LINDA MOONEY
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t’s sunny, in the low 70s and an absolutely gorgeous mid April Friday as I pull up to the vertical red kayak in front of Nature Adventures Outfitters on Shem Creek, armed as advised: bottled water— check. Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, shoes that can get wet—check. The digital camera stayed behind after a friendly reminder to carry it in a plastic bag. Right, these things flip over. It may be a common perception that holds back too many potential kayakers. We visualize nature nuts slicing through raging river rapids over rocks and waterfalls, self-righting with Eskimo rolls after failed braces. The fear of getting stuck upside down, hitting an underwater obstacle or not being able to escape may scare off those who don’t know the whole story. Truth is, recreational—as opposed to white water—kayaking is relaxing and safe. Improved craft designs today are more stable, comfortable and functional, allowing novices to jump in without worry. Though kayaks have been around for at least 4,000 years (first used for fishing), it’s really only been in the last couple of decades that we’ve seen a substantial growth in its popularity, with 3.5 million people boarding one last year, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. The sport is particularly popular in places like Charleston, where the land is split with so many creeks and marshes that self-powered water exploring is begging to be indulged in. Locally, one can rent or buy a kayak through nearly a dozen retailers and paddling schools. You can join clubs such as the Lowcountry Paddlers and Charleston Sea Kayaking Meetup Group (with more than 450 members), both of which organize regular paddling trips. You can also immerse yourself in canoe and kayak history, technique and hands-on practice through local events such as the annual East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival held this April at the James Island County Park.
Because Charleston is such a perfect place to get hooked on this cheap and environmentally friendly water sport, we decided to take a closer look and let you know what to expect. We called several places to finagle a free tour for this kayak neophyte and finally went with the company most eager to help—Nature Adventures Outfitters—which worked out well since we prefer to plug green companies and this one’s as environmentally friendly as you can get. Each year, owner Kathie Livingston contributes thousands of dollars (10 to 20 percent of proceeds) to causes such as the South Carolina Center for Birds of Prey, the National Audubon Society, the Rein and Shine Therapeutic Riding Center and the Coastal Conservation League. Nature Adventures also helps to raise thousands of dollars annually for Kayak for the Kure for MS, and the guides even volunteer for bird and turtle rescue and research. You get the picture. Today, I was scheduled for the most popular of their saltwater tours: the Shem Creek historic shrimping village and Crab Bank Island. I was greeted by my guide Elizabeth Anderegg, who led me to a bevy of durable plastic red and yellow kayaks 13 to 18 feet long and informed me that we could go solo or tandem. I chose the latter so I could have her ear more easily. After a brief lesson on how to maneuver a double-blade paddle, a cursory glance over the laminated Do’s and Don’ts (mostly, where not to go if you’re a novice) and a heads up that flip flops can be dangerous when walking over oyster shells, I slather on sunscreen and buckle into a life vest. Once I’m seated in the front cockpit seat, Anderegg pushes us off and we head out toward the harbor. It’s only 11 am and the normally festive restaurants lining the creek are quiet, the water is still and the sun feels great. I’m excited. Shem Creek is one of the highlights of Charleston. WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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Above: A kayaker heads out into scenic Charleston Harbor Inset: Kathie Livingston navigates through the trees
kayakcharlestonsc.com
Just three miles from downtown, it is the area’s most photographed creek and home to the local shrimping fleet that lines both sides of the water in a spectacular mix of chipped paint and rusty pastels. A few feet away, a dolphin breaks the surface. “That’s Notch,” my guide tells me, recognizing the mammal for its clipped dorsal fin. “He’s been hanging around here all winter.” As we paddle, we watch the fishermen ready their boats while massive, prehistoric-looking pelicans lounge on pier pilings. Anderegg explains how she used to prefer canoes, but as her girls got older and voiced their preference for the kayak, she found herself preferring the sleeker, more encased craft for its speed and easier maneuver-
ing. Her passion eventually turned into enough experience and training to become a guide four years ago. Now we are approaching Charleston Harbor and ahead we can see the skyline of downtown to the right and Crab Bank Island to our left. A birder’s paradise, assessable only by boat, Crab Bank is a 22-acre man-made preserve (essentially a sandbar), home to about 5,000 nesting and migratory shorebirds, such as the Eastern Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, Laughing Gull, Black Skimmer and American Oystercatcher. Anderegg identifies each and explains that the ruckus is the chorus of Laughing Gulls, which really do sound collectively amused. As tempting as it would be to dock, my guide explains the
no-trespassing rule. Anderegg lives up to her role, sharing nuggets of history, such as the greater significance of Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, and how the heads we’re seeing pop out of the water are turtles the size of salad plates. Manatees can also be spotted here May through September, but the waters are too cool now. We are blessed, however, with another passing dolphin. Landmarks abound as we make our way around Crab Bank Island: Castle Pinckney, the Sullivan’s Island lighthouse, Patriot’s Point. Nearby, a growing flock of pelicans line up beside a boat for leftover bait and fish scraps while Anderegg tells me that the house on the left is for sale for $25 million. She also explains that for a gorgeous Friday, the water is
quiet. Tomorrow will be different, more motorboats and jet skis. As my arms begin to ache, I’m reminded to twist with my torso to ease the strain from paddling. I appreciate the upperbody conditioning but can’t help thinking that Franz Romer, who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a kayak in 1928, is crazy. We make our way back to shore and I’m amazed that the notebook I had strapped to the front of the kayak is still essentially dry. I thank my guide and Livingston and think to myself, I’d like to try white-water kayaking. All Nature Adventures guides are college-educated Master Naturalist Guides and Certified ACA Kayak Instructors. They offer 10 different family-friendly
tours, ranging from two hours to all-day trips that can take you up to 8 miles. You can explore the Sewee Indian ruins (4,000 year old ruins), Awendaw Creek, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge/ McClellanville Harbor or Caper’s Island State Heritage Preserve. There are also black water tours available. Oh, and they have plastic boxes for smaller cameras.
For more information, call Nature Adventures Outfitters at (843) 568-3222 or (800) 673-0679.
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GEAR We looked over a lot of Kayaking gear and asked the pros what they think is the best of the best on the market right now. The following is what they think everyone should own: Wilderness Systems Tsunami 160 -- $1425.00 This ultra-comfortable kayak offers more speed and stability than a typical sea kayak. Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD-- $100.00 astralbuoyancy.com Airescape™ technology minimizes vest contact with your torso and has vent ports allowing body heat to escape. Werner Camano Paddle-- $265.00 wernerpaddles.com has an improved ferrule design and translucent, midsize blades which makes it easier on the arms. Warmers Neo Mesh Sport Paddling Gloves-- $25.00 rei.com Synthetic suede palms provide a solid grip, even when wet which is important for having blister-free hands.
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LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
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BIKE THE CHUCK WRITTEN BY LINDA MOONEY PHOTOS BY SULLY SULLIVAN
People-powered two-wheelers are making a comeback and the reasons are as numerous as they are powerful. Following is a look at what Charleston, and the nation at large, is doing—and what we all should be doing—to further the transportation revolution. On a balmy day near the College of Charleston, the world looks shades closer to how it should be: Pretty girls in sundresses ride beach cruisers with flower-covered baskets; tattooed boys skateboard alongside hybrids and road bikes while 10-speeds and backpacks zip past cars that yield to throngs of pedestrians. For a moment, all seems right. It’s not anything entirely new. Like many college towns, Charleston has long hosted a bike scene due to the thousands of downtown students who don’t have cars. Add in our health-minded MUSC employees; year-round temperate, snow-free climate; and petite, water-encapsulated downtown and it’s no surprise that so many of us love our bikes. But today it’s more than that. A growing number of nonstudents-- professors, doctors, real estate agents, waiters, writers, cash-strapped displaced workers alike– are all dusting off their bicycles and participating in what Jeff Mapes calls a burgeoning revolt. In his new book, Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities, he likens this new brand of bicycle-mounted American to an “urban cowboy” of sorts, bravely pedaling for a new way of living. Like any grassroots insurgency, the movement has roots in frustration—at increasing traffic congestion, steep gas prices, catastrophic climate change, obesity trends and tight finances. Groups such as Critical Mass, comprised of radical, hip young bicyclers, protest monthly in cities around the world in “organized coincidences” that block rushhour traffic. Their mass turnout of several hundred strong aims to take back at least part of the streets from motorists and challenges the wastefulness of our autocentric world. In Portland, the hub of the American cycling renaissance, Naked Bike rides draw attention to the movement, while others find their own quiet way to make a statement, like the Spandex-clad executives who bike to work every day or 84-year-old Lan Yin “Eiko” Tsai who has been riding 150 miles every year in high heels and a dress for the NJ City to Shore MS ride for the last 26 years. J. Harry Wray calls it Pedal Power, the title of his own book, and points to the recent spike in bike-friendly policies nationwide as a sign of the “yearning for a higher quality of life.” If you feel yourself itching to trade in the car for the bike more often, let us push you off the fence with the growing number of reasons to “just do it.” The Environment As recently as 1971, we were using less than 0.7 of an earth, but population growth and car-dependence have thrown this equation out of whack, with ecological demands now outstripping supply by more than 20%. Currently, we use 1.2 earths, meaning we will destroy our own planet unless we shift from carbon-based fossil fuels to renewable energy soon. But auto emissions are just part of the problem. The maintenance and disposal of a car alone actually creates 60% of the polluted air from a car’s existence. The Environment and Forecasting Institute in Heidelberg, Germany, lists the following costs of one car: WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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extracting raw material (26.5 tons of waste, 922 million cubic meters of polluted air); transporting raw material (12 liters crude oil in the ocean for each car, 425 million cubic meters of polluted air); producing the car (1.5 tons waste, 75 million cubic meters of polluted air); driving the car (18.4 kilos abrasive waste, 1000 cubic meters polluted air); and disposing of the car (102 cubic meters of polluted air).
On the other hand, regular physical activity cuts in half the risk of obesity, adult-onset diabetes and coronary heart disease. In a Copenhagen study of over 30,000 people (ages 20-93) who were monitored for over 14.5 years, bike commuting just 3 hours a week lowered the risk of death by about 40% when compared with a control group that did not bike.
When measured against 142 countries by the environmental Sustainability Index of Feb 2002, the U.S. ranked 45th as underperforming in controlling greenhouse gas emissions and reducing waste. Internationally, air-pollution deaths now exceed traffic fatalities 3 to 1. On the other hand, biking is an ongoing practice of nondestructive living. A bike leaves less than 1/10th the ecological footprint of a car for a person travelling about 3 miles twice a day each week.
Even if you run or hit the gym regularly, if you spend most of the rest of the day sitting, you increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, a variety of cancers and early death. Those who sit most of the day have larger waists and worse profiles of blood pressure and sugar.
While driving stresses, bicycling relaxes. Outdoor exercise is a natural and effective therapy for depression, violence, stress and attention deficit disorder, common problems in this country. Biking fosters a sense of community as you can strike up conversations with others along the way and take in the sights and sounds on a more connected level. It’s so enjoyable that once people get used to cycling, they tend choose to cycle longer distances and in worse weather conditions. Bike commuting also puts more money in your pocket, which should make everyone happier. Money you would otherwise be putting into gas and car maintenance can be diverted to housing, education, savings or entertainment.
Our Health According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, about 64% of Americans are overweight or obese. The World Health Organization (WHO) calls the obesity epidemic one of the top 10 global health problems. Particularly alarming is the increase among US children: up from 5% in the 1960s to 15% at turn of 21st century. Blame it on suburban sprawl and sitting too long at our desks, in our cars and in front of our TVs. New evidence points to a “physiology of inactivity,” meaning our body’s metabolism slows down from sitting too long since the fat-processing molecule in our muscles only works when actively flexed.
peak hours reduces travel time by about 25%. For those who live only a few miles from work or mass transportation, bike commuting not only helps the environment and your health, it also makes you feel better.
And bicycling will shape the body you want. It develops balance and coordination, strengthens bones, tones the muscles and burns about 500 calories an hour (for 140 pound person on a moderately vigorous ride). Quality of Life When polled on their #1 quality of life complaint, Americans voted “traffic congestion” tops. However, research has shown that reducing the number of cars by just 10% during
Households in more autodependent communities spend about $8,500 a year on transportation compared to under $5,500 a year for those with more diverse commuting options. Currently, transportation is the second largest item in the average family budget with Americans spending more than anyone else in the world due to high car ownership and use. A good bike, however, costs just 2 to 3% as much as a car. It needs no fuel, no insurance, minimum maintenance and uses free parking. It will also increase the wealth of your local community as reduced driving increases local business development. In Davis, CA, a model biking community, WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM 17
Rewriting the Future Fortunately, we live in a town where the weather, size and type of population set us up to potentially become a model city in spearheading this national movement. While Charleston isn’t ranked yet as a bike-able city by the League of American Bicyclists—in fact, we scored 26th out of 50 states-strides are being made. In 2003, Charleston was one of 25 communities selected by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation for an Active Living project grant, a move to identify barriers to biking and walking in the region and how to break these barriers. Since then, many improvements have been made, such as the inclusion of the bike-pedestrian walkway on the Ravenel Bridge, the equipment of bike racks on CARTA buses and the completion of the 8-mile-long linear bike park we know as the West Ashley Greenway, a key alternate transportation route extending west from Folly Road to Main Road. Future plans include building a new bike-pedestrian lane on a bridge crossing the Ashley River to connect with the West Ashley Greenway and extending the East Coast Greenway through South Carolina. Charleston Moves, a nonprofit organization promoting alternative transportation, is at the core of a group of concerned citizens, now including Mayor Joseph Riley, who are working toward qualifying Charleston as a Bicycle Friendly Community. In 2009, Mayor Riley created a Bicycle Friendly Community Task Force to increase opportunities for biking by expanding the bike network and related programs. Until the infrastructure is solidly in place, commuting from say, James Island or West Ashley to downtown can be a task, even dangerous. But if you live downtown or within a few miles of work or public transportation, now is the time to ask yourself, why am I not part of this movement? If you can’t think of a good excuse, grab a bike and join me on the road.
EXCLUSIVELY AT
charlestonscoutdoors. com Information on Bicycling Clubs, Groups, and Events.
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GEAR It’s important to have the right equipment if you’re planning on switching from four wheels to two. Below are some of the finest products we tested: Trek District--$1099.99 trek.com The quiet drive system and smooth ride make the District worth the hit to your wallet. Camelbak Capo-- $100.00 camelbak.com has room for your laptop and books and also has a water resovoir that keeps you cool and hydrated. Bell Slant-- $54.00 bellhelmets.com is extremely light with excellent ventilation.
WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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SEARCHING THE DEEP WRITTEN BY MEREDITH SIEMENS
For any warm-blooded thrill seeker, it is hard to deny the allure of the unknown. What is above the first layer of clouds, over the next mountain or tucked in the depths of the sea? It is what pumps the adrenaline, pushes limits and keeps the adventure alive. In a town surrounded on most sides by some body of water, it begs a thought to be given to what lies beneath each murky ripple. Most weekend ocean warriors assume it is a mess of pluff mud, oyster beds, fish and lost sunglasses. There is much more than meets the eye in Charleston’s waters though and it is making wreck diving an activity that pays off in adventure and bounty. Perched underneath the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, 24-year dive veteran, Rob Harding, points out “from here you are looking at hundreds of shipwrecks.” Charleston’s rich history and maritime heritage encompasses everything from Civil War blockade runners to a recently decommissioned Coast Guard cutter, underneath varying depths of mud. In his time below, Harding has found his fair share of prized reef fish, salvaged treasures and was part of a group that helped to solve a nautical mystery. Not too far from Bull’s Bay, the frame of a ship had been referred to for years as the Anchor Wreck, but lacked any true identity or explanation of why it had come to rest on the ocean floor. A stray newspaper clipping and some underwater research revealed that the wreck was the steamship Leif Eriksson, which had gone down after colliding with another steamship, the City of Everett, in the snowstorm of February 1905. The survivors were taken on the City of Everett to New York, rather than coming to port in Charleston. The ice from the storm had snapped Charleston’s telegraph wires, so although the collision happened just miles from the shore, word never reached the city from New York and the mystery was born. WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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Harding cautions that these finds are not just dumb luck. Much research is necessary to locate both wrecks and treasure and upon finding them even more is needed to date the artifacts and stake claim. He offered this motivation to wouldbe fortune hunters though, “everybody thinks somebody else has already done it, but I do it and we still find stuff.” As for retrieving chests of riches, he simply grins, leaving one to think there is still much to be found from the sea floor. Ready to take the plunge? The buzz of exploring the murky depths and tales of Megalodon teeth pulled from the Cooper River and selling for top dollar can make anyone ready to zip up the wet suit and strap on a tank. Wreck diving has
earned its reputation for being risky though and without proper training it can be downright dangerous. Expert wreck diver, Charles George, notes “the key is that a wreck diver has to crawl before he walks and learn how to do this in a measured and safe way. This requires dive education, equipment, experience, and most of all a passion for history and excitement.” Kirk Wooters, Dive Master has a wall of certifications from boat captain to gas blender to back up his zeal for diving and make even the weariest of underwater explorers secure in their training. Rows of fins stand at attention ready to take to the water and tanks wheeze as air is let out after returning from a dive.
thecharlestonangler.com
Wooters urges people “not to be intimidated,” it is a diving one stop, for going deep the first time or becoming a master. There are a range of options for diving on Charleston’s beginner reefs and wrecks. Divers can see everything from the 250-foot wreck of the City of Richmond to retired New York subway cars made into artificial reefs at Comanche reef. Over 100 steelhulled vessels have been sunk off the state of South Carolina since 1969, not including artificial reefs made of ex-military aircrafts, intercontinental ballistic missiles, concrete bridges and more. Wooters maintains his favorite is Vermillion reef found up towards Georgetown, but that each offers its own specific charm. Charleston dive shops are full of lore from divers and stories of found gold bits, clay pipes or pottery pieces pulled from the banks of the plantations and jewels that would rival the Hunley’s treasures. What is true and what is tale is something only the discoverers know, but it is certain that each dive is never quite the same as the last and each day alters and unearths new materials. Charles George describes coming upon a wreck
as “looking into a time capsule -- you are a witness to tragedy, but you are also a successful explorer and have uncovered the past in the process.” There is certainly an allure to slipping beneath the surface with only the sound of air bubbles to begin a pursuit. No need to map coordinates of sunken Spanish galleons or travel across the globe to unearth Egyptian mother of pearl shells because Charleston hides centuries of riches just off her banks. Explore this underwater world and into its past, but please do leave a bit of treasure for the rest of us.
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ONLINE @ charlestonscoutdoors.com get more photos and info with links to experts that will help you plan your next trip! WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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OUTDOOR LIVING SCULPT YOUR OWN OASIS
I
WITH JAMES PARKER WRITTEN BY LINDA MOONEY
magine stepping outside your home and immediately into your happy place. Maybe you smell the perfume of strategically placed Jasmine, feel the breeze of an overhead fan or hear the lull of a nearby water fountain. If you really let yourself dream, you might see a shimmering mosaic-tiled pool or a fully functional outdoor kitchen. Whatever your vision, the fact is, we’d all spend a lot more time under blue skies and nighttime stars if the space right outside our home were more inviting. Enter James Parker, owner of Pleasant Landscapes, a landscape architect/design company that has been in business in Charleston for more than 25 years. Parker, whose post-college desk job in Georgia bored him into missing his younger days grooming lawns for a living, decided to invest in horticulture classes and begin a career that would ensure he remain where he’s happiest: outdoors. A visionary at heart, Parker calls stones, plants and concrete his canvas and works as a general contractor in helping create “art spaces” for his clients. Here, he explains how you can create the outdoor sanctuary you’ve always wanted with the help of a guy like himself. Consult first. An initial consultation is free of charge and can reveal a lot. When I visit someone’s home for the first time, I am essentially data mining or people profiling. Personal tastes can be picked up through the clothes we wear, the type of house we live in, our furniture and window treatments; where we grew up, the places we’ve travelled, careers we’ve chosen and passions we pursue. It’s not my job to make everyone’s house look like mine. Instead, I investigate the client’s desires and make their outdoor space a reflection of themselves. I also welcome ideas, be it pages torn from a magazine or photos taken on vacation. 24
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Envision what you want. The biggest mistake people make is not having a long-term, cohesive plan. They invest hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars into a pool, fireplace or stone fountain, only to stick it somewhere that doesn’t flow. Like all art, the overall composition is more important than the individual elements. Even if your budget doesn’t allow you to tackle your entire dreamscape immediately, planning ahead with proper placement lets you move toward that eventual vision. Some clients take 10 years to sculpt their outdoor oasis little by little. Buy the plans. Not everyone can afford a landscape architect and in fact, many people prefer to roll up their sleeves and do it themselves. But even experienced handymen can use help in jumpstarting the artistic vision. When we work with people only in the capacity of developing the master plans, the cost is usually in the ballpark of $400 but can be as little as $125 or as much as $850. However, we usually end up doing 75% of the work for complex projects once people realize all the effort involved in juggling eight companies, from the electrician to the plumber. But the payoff is worth it. My own outdoor kitchen has power, water, a fridge and spices so I don’t have to run back and forth. Work with the environment. It’s important to know which plants thrive in this climate. Charleston is more than 200 years old and wealthy people have been bringing in plants here for just as long, not always to fruition. In 1791, for example, orange trees were the big thing but they died out a few years later once it was apparent our winters are too cold. A similar situation happened in Mount Pleasant 10 years ago when Salmon Oleanders, planted along Coleman Boulevard, perished in the frost. By enlisting the help of an expert, you don’t waste money or time learning the hard way what works.
For more information or to speak with James contact him @ James Parker, (843) 886-9316, jparker815@aol.com
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SAFETY ALERT ROPER ST.FRANCIS KEEPS YOU IN TOP FORM SUNBURN Prevention Sunburn is more than painful. Later in life, it can lead to skin cancer. Infants, children, the fair-skinned and people on some medications (even ibuprofen) are susceptible, but anyone can suffer damage. Avoid the sun’s rays during peak hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and remember reflection off the water and sand will ramp up ultraviolet radiation. Put on sun hats – best with a brim of 2-3 inches that covers ears and back of the neck – and wear clothing or swimwear that protect as much skin as possible. Swim shirts with sleeves are increasingly available. Look for clothing with a listed Sun Protection Factor (SPF) or Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). For exposed skin, generously apply sunscreen with a “broadspectrum” SPF of 30 or higher, at least 30 minutes before. Pay special attention to the nose, ears, face, back and shoulders. Re-apply after getting wet or otherwise within an hour or so, even with a water-resistant sunscreen, and know that DEET can decrease sunscreen efficacy. Use a lip balm with SPF, wear UV-protective glasses and don’t forget those tootsies. “I can’t tell you how many people come in here with blisters on the tops of their feet,” says Johnny Weeks III, MD, of Shem Creek Family Medicine.
Call a health-care provider pronto if you have a fever or signs of heat exhaustion or dehydration, including feeling dizzy, rapid pulse or breathing, clammy skin or nausea. JELLYFISH STINGS Prevention Most local jellyfish pose little or no threat to us, but some cause unforgettable stings. Beware the small sea wasp, with tentacles hanging from the corners of its cube-shaped bell, and the saucer-shaped sea nettle – usually pigmented brown or red, 6-8 inches in diameter – which likely causes most stings in South Carolina, according to the Department of Natural Resources. (See the DNR online guide at www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/jellyfi.html.) The jelly-like, purple-blue Portuguese man-of-war rarely drifts into our waters, but has 30- to 60-feet tentacles and can cause severe pain, collapse, hysteria, chills, fever and vomiting. Avoid swimming if large numbers of stinging jellyfish are known to be along local beaches, most likely in late summer and early fall. Rubber diving suits should help, while Safe Sea lotion claims to protect against jelly stings and microscopic stinging jellyfish larvae, which can collect in bathing suits.
Also, drink water, fruit juices and sport drinks while staying away from alcohol and caffeine in order to avoid dehydration, which can make you more susceptible to sunburn and pose other health dangers.
Treatment Wash off with saltwater, not freshwater. Many recommend a neutralizing vinegar wash, which might be worth including in a beach first aid kit, though some question if it works for all stings. Don’t apply urine or alcohol, old-school remedies that may make matters worse.
Treatment Take a cool shower or bath, or try wet, cold washcloths. Hydration is vital, so keep drinking fluids. “Once you get burnt,” Dr. Weeks says, “you’ll start losing water in excess of what you normally would.”
Remove tentacles and stinging nematocysts with care, covering hands and exposed skin with gloves, towels or clothing. Don’t pull -- rather scrape with a razor or other straight edge such as a credit card or shovel. If possible, first apply shaving cream, baking soda paste or sand for protection.
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help, while aloe may aid healing and cool you down. Put dry bandages on any blisters and try not to break them. “If there’s severe blistering, you probably should seek medical attention,” says Lynn Feldman, DO, of Kiawah-Seabrook Urgent Care.
“If you do anything that’s irritating to the tentacles or the nematocysts, they start firing,” says Ted Dunn, MD, with Long Point Urgent & Family Care.
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If stung in the mouth, swish and rinse immediately, preferably with vinegar and water. If stung in the eyes, rinse with a commercial saline solution. Seek medical attention for stings around the face, genitals or rectal areas. Seek emergency help if there’s significant swelling, difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, uncontrolled bleeding, signs of shock or other systemic reaction. POISON IVY, OAK & SUMAC Prevention Know how to spot these plants, which cause an allergic reaction when people contact the irritating oil, and be especially careful in spring and summer when it’s most potent, the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service says.
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Poison ivy grows as a vine or shrub and has three glossy leaflets with smooth or toothed edges. It may have greenish flowers and white berries. Poison oak is a low shrub in the eastern U.S. Fuzzy green leaves in clusters of three are lobed or deeply toothed with rounded tips and may have yellow berries. Poison sumac grows as a tall shrub or small tree in bogs or swamps. Each leaf has clusters of seven to 13 smooth-edged leaflets. Wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into shoes or preferably boots – no sandals. Don’t forget gloves if working around these plants. Sensitive individuals may want to try Ivy Shield or IvyBlock Lotion. Treatment Rinse exposed areas with cool, running water and soap, or even alcohol, within 10 minutes after contact or otherwise as soon as possible. “The first thing you want to do is get the oils off of everything,” says Stephen Murk, MD, with SeWee Internal Medicine. Don’t forget to scrub under fingernails, he says, and make sure to wash clothes, shoes and pets that may have come into contact with the plants to prevent further exposure. Soak affected areas in cool water, not warm, or use cool, wet compresses to provide relief. Contrary to popular belief, the fluid from blisters will not spread the rash, but scratching should be avoided because it perpetuates the itch, and bacteria under the fingernails could cause infection.
Oatmeal baths, antiseptic solutions, hydrocortisone creams and drying Calamine lotions can help at home, as can topical and oral antihistamines.
poison ivy, oak or sumac without knowing how. On the flip side, rashes can have a variety of triggers, including health conditions such as shingles.
Seek medical attention if the rash covers more than 10 percent of the body, it affects the face or genitals or itching is extreme. In those cases, a prescriptionstrength corticosteroid may be in order.
“If it’s a rash, and you don’t exactly know for sure that it’s poison ivy, you should be seen by a doctor,” says Stephen Busby, MD, with Windermere Family Medicine.
Likewise, see a doctor for signs of infection -- fever, pain or pus rather than clear or slightly yellow fluid. It’s not unusual for people to contact
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OUT OF THE KITCHEN WITH CHEF BRETT MCKEE STORY BY MEREDITH SIEMENS
B
rett McKee, the man behind Charleston favorites-- Oak, 17 North and O-ku-- is no stranger to a good time. He is as well known for his mouth-watering dishes as his philanthropic spirit, but what happens when the larger than life chef takes some time to unwind? Check out this Q & A to see what’s on the menu for Brett’s perfect outdoor cookout.
What’s the music? Whatever the kids want to listen too – and they are dancers! For me it would be a little more chill, but I do what they want. They see me so seldom, whatever they want -- they can have.
Perfect BBQ day in Charleston – what’s your ideal activity? Sitting by the pool or the beach with my family…in fact I’ll be doing it in two hours. Realistically, I get a bit of time by the pool, but usually end up working with a charity event.
What’s on the menu? First, as opposed to most chefs it’s not what, but what I prepare it with. I’ll have 3 little charcoal grills from Wal-Mart because it gives me the memory of a camping trip. I like the flavor of charcoal rather than gas.
What I do that makes it different than anybody else is that I actually get involved. I go to the atrium and play with the kids at MUSC, I go auction myself off on stage, and I cook in private homes. It’s not stroking a check; it’s being involved that makes a difference.
The menu would be diverse because all the kids would be there.
What’s the season? Spring or Fall By land or sea? Sea- my element is fire, so you always see me drinking water and I love to be in the water. It’s a balance-- I am big into the feng shui. Who’s on the guest list? The amount of people I would let into my world, I can probably count on one hand. People that don’t think of me as Brett the cartoon character, the image, I’m just chill. I’m a family man – my wife, my kids and my daughter’s boyfriend (he’s a cool guy). If it were up to me, I would have a moat around my house. Because of my persona people think of the image, but I am just chill.
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Any pets joining in? Oh yeah, there are dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses– even a squirrel my oldest daughter rescued. We’re a pet family.
LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
On the first grill, steaks – New York strip, hit it with sugar, put it on a cast iron grill on the grill and Pittsburgh them and a Chateau Briand with a Tuscan rub. Second grill, beer-can chicken, but with root beer to give it a sweet flavor. Stuff it with butter and thyme under the skin, put a cover over the grill rotisserie and then add some sweet bbq sauce at the end. On the last grill, hamburgers and Nathan’s hotdogs, cut and stuffed with American cheese and wrapped in bacon, for the kids. For the vegetables: grilled corn on the cob, zucchini, squash, peppers, onions, mushrooms- drizzle with a little truffle oil and balsamic. A few sliced tomatoes and some baked potatoes. The backyard BBQ invite may not be on the table, but to keep up with what Brett is cooking in all of his restaurants and happenings outside of the kitchen, you can follow him at Chef Brett McKee on Facebook or visit... www.oaksteakhouserestaurant.com.
“I’ll have 3 little charcoal grills from WalMart because it gives me the memory of a camping trip. I like the flavor of charcoal rather than gas.”
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