Travelrific® Travel Journal
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Celebrate the Sweet Potato in South Carolina
By Linda Tancs
In the southeastern U.S., the sweet potato is, as the saying goes, as American as motherhood and apple pie. Its illustrious heritage here began around 1543 when Spanish explorers found sweet potatoes growing in what became Louisiana. In Colonial days sweet potatoes were an item of trade and were shipped from large Carolina plantations to northern cities. Later, during the Civil War, the sweet potato became one of many substitutes for coffee by being dried, parched, ground and brewed. Is it any wonder, then, that such a storied and useful vegetable would be celebrated each year in Darlington, South Carolina. On 8 October on the Public Square in Darlington is the annual Sweet Potato Festival, where over 17,000 tater-lovin’ folks will gather for crafts, music, live entertainment, a car show and plenty of food, including–of course–sweet potato pie. Do you have a favorite sweet potato recipe? Share it in the comments section.
Open House in Charleston
By Linda Tancs
Calhoun Mansion is an 1876 manor house of italianate design and the largest residence in Charleston, South Carolina. It boasts Tiffany lighting, a 75 foot domed ceiling, 35 rooms and 23 fireplaces. For a fee you can tour this house, which happens to be a private residence. The gardens are free to tour, however, and they are spectacular. During Historic Charleston Foundation’s 64th Annual Spring Festival of Houses & Gardens today through 16 April, you can tour stately homes like Calhoun. Tours and events vary daily.
The PGA of Mini Golf
By Linda Tancs
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a family-friendly destination. After all, the nearby Children’s Museum of South Carolina has interactive exhibits and programs such as a science lab and a kiddie ATM. And what could be more family friendly than miniature golf. Myrtle Beach is known in many circles as the mini golf capital of the world. So it probably would come as no surprise that the area hosts a Masters National Pro Mini Golf Championship at Hawaiian Rumble, a course sporting a 40- foot lava rock volcano that erupts every 20 minutes or so for a few seconds. The event, held this year between 14 and 17 October, is the official national championship for top professional mini golfers in America. It is approximately five and a half miles from Myrtle Beach International Airport and similar distances from Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing. Look for the Hawaiian Rumble sign at the intersection of Highway 17 and 33rd Avenue South.
