My Best & Worst Vacation Spots

I’m participating again this week in the Show Us Your Life meme that Kelly is hosting. We are visiting each other’s favorite vacation spots. I’m excited because Prince Charming and I haven’t been on a real vacation in way. too. long and I’m hoping to get some really great ideas for our next getaway!

My very favorite vacation spot is the Low Country of South Carolina. I love the Charleston region.

As you saw last week, Prince Charming and I ended our honeymoon with a few days in Charleston. It is such a nice area.

My college girlfriends and I always meet at Seabrook Island, South Carolina each August or September for a long weekend. Seabrook is much more peaceful than the more popular islands of Kiawah or Hilton Head. The beaches are gorgeous with wonderful sea oats and dunes. Every time I’ve been there, we’ve enjoyed watching dolphins play in the water. A couple years ago, we saw a shark. That was a little scary, but I guess that could happen at any coastal location.

There are many condos and homes available to rent. Each place where we’ve stayed has been quite nice. The 45 minute drive to downtown Charleston is wonderful, scenic and passes quickly. It’s nice to be so close to a downtown area, but still feel like you’re far away too. I’m probably not going to be able to make it to the girl’s meet-up this year, but hopefully next year I’ll be able to go and take Ridley with me.

Two years ago, my sister and I went on a wonderful bike ride all the way around the island. We had so much fun! The whole island is “gated.” You have to have a pass to get in, so we have always felt incredibly safe. Also, the scenery is amazing! At dusk there are deer everywhere. The homes are “to-die-for” gorgeous!

A Walk To The Beach

There are much closer beach access areas, but this one was adventurous!

The Ocean

Waiting for Dinner–Downtown Charleston

I cannot “for the life of me” remember the name of this restaurant! But it was yummy anyway. I’ve also eaten at Hyman’s Seafood, Anson Restaurant and High Cotton. I’ve never had anything that I didn’t like at these restaurants.

My beautiful sister and me

Gorgeous Sunset

Love these sea oats!

Cute little restaurant and store on the way to Seabrook

Okay, so that’s my very FAVORITE vacation spot…let me tell you about my least favorite!

It’s such a funny story!! During the Fall of 2006, Prince Charming decided to take me on a surprise vacation. He saw this place online and thought it would be oh-so-cool to take me there. He didn’t tell me where we were going until the evening before we were supposed to leave. I almost panicked, but I managed to smile and I tried to be excited. We drove for ever and ever–from Alabama to NW Arkansas (wish I had “known” Kelly then!) The farther we drove the more nervous I felt. I just had a weird feeling.

I grew up in the boon-docks, but you’ve never seen boon-docks until you’ve been to the Beckham Creek Cave Haven. Seriously, the closest “store” looks like a cabin from Little House on the Prairie and is at least 20 minutes away.

We finally arrived after bouncing over gravel roads and crossing narrow bridges. The check-in area was a little shack-like place. The lady that greeted us was nice and said that she would show us around. We mentioned that we needed to go get some supper. She looked at us and asked, “You didn’t bring your food??” I knew right then that we were in trouble!

So, we went up to the “cave-house” and as soon as we walked in the door I was hit with this incredible mildew smell. (It is a “live” cave, so there is a lot of moisture…like pots and pans sitting all over the floor to catch the drips!!). I don’t have any breathing problems, but my lungs started burning like fire. I tried to be really brave as the nice hostess showed us around.

As soon as she walked out the door, I started bawling my eyes out. I felt like I was constantly breathing mold. It was really bad. I felt even worse for my sweet hubby and his thoughtfulness in planning this vacation. I was so amazed and blessed when he said that there was no way that we were staying. We re-packed the car, took some pictures and then headed back to talk to the hostess. She gave us most of our money back and we headed for Little Rock. Our little getaway ended up nice anyway. We stayed in two nice hotels and toured all over Little Rock for two days. There is so much history in Little Rock!! We really enjoyed the drive through the Ozarks with all the leaves turning color.

I just now checked out the Beckham Creek Cave Haven website and they have TOTALLY remodeled the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. The living and dining areas have completely new furniture. It looks pretty amazing now and I’m sure that replacing all that probably helped with the mildew smell.

So, I’m not telling you not to go there because I might actually enjoy it now!

Here’s a photo we took with the self-timer right before we left.

My amazing husband and me

For more Favorite Vacation Spots, visit Kelly’s Korner!

18 Comments

Great photos! We are considering Seabrook for next year's vaca… gated and secluded is sounding pretty great! 🙂

Awww… you drove through my neck of the woods! Sorry it stunk!

well, I have never been to either place – thanks for the heads up!

Beautiful photos!

My husband and I LOVE Charleston South Carolina. We also made a stop there on our way to our Honey moon. In fact, my husband said the only place he would consider moving to would be Charleston S.C. That used to be our weekend get away before we had children. We miss it so much and can't wait to go back!! Thanks for sharing!

Seabrook was sooo amazing!! I loved that vacation!

That cave house story is crazy. I remember when it happened, but I was at school, so it was neat to read about it again! 🙂

My aunt and uncle have a house on Edisto and it's a wonderful area to visit! Love the Southern charm down there!

Beautiful photos. I want to visit South Carolina so much. Maybe next year. I'm sorry your Arkansas vacation didn't work out as well.

I've always wanted to check out South Carolina! It sounds so beautiful! I'm sorry about the cave experience! I actually sounds pretty neat and different and I can see why your husband would do that as a surprise. I don't think I could sleep in a cave though! 🙂 Glad it turned out to be a fun vacation anyways! 🙂

I love that you included your worst vacation spot…great story!

Oh, and SC looks beautiful! I haven't seen much of the East Coast… it's on my list though!

Thanks for sharing you story. I am glad that I am not the only one that has bad experiences sometimes!!!

I liked how you shared your worst vacay spot… Sorry about the whole mildew smell… good thing your hubby changed locations for ya… Your pics are cute…

I actually live in Chareleston, SC. Was that McCrady's restaurant?

Love Charleston. Seriously so much I want to retire there! Check out my blog http://www.swonderful2beme.blogspot.com Charleston was my fav vac pick as well. Love it! Thanks for sharing. =)

SC looks beautiful! based on you pictures we will have to go.

Just found your blog and fell in love with it!!! Keep posting and I will keep reading!!!

that trip to the beach was SO AMAZING!!! thanks for taking my : )

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