WE BE Bloggin with LowCountry Joe®

Palm Beach News calls LowCountry Joe a "Character".

Imagine my surprise when an associate of mine from Florida calls and says "Hey LowCountry"...that was a fine pic of you in the upscale Palm Beach Daily News". Say what!!!  Ya' mean all those rich folks "Down South" are "checkin' me out"......So I do a search on "Palm Beach News" and lo and behold, there I am smilin' and a grinnin' at the Winery.....Yowzahhhh.....Hey...maybe even Paris Hilton will give me a call.....

Now I don't quite remember the writer, Linda Mark, stopping by....but that's not unusual considering when one is in the Winery one must taste the grape. But I must thank her for a wonderful article featuring our fine Island. And to have your name "dropped" in the same article with Mark Messier and Pat Conroy.....well now we are stylin"....

Anywho.....Most of her article was right on except for the fact that Daufuskie means in Indian "Land with a Point" not "First Key" or Lord forbid "Island of Blood" . But those little slip ups are to be expected when a "newcomer" visits the Island and is enamored by all its poetic charm.

Plus that, Linda was kind enough to "break the news" about the Silver Dew "recording studio". Plans are in place to broadcast "Live at The Silver Dew Winery"......stay tuned......And as for me sponsoring an Island Blues Festival......not really.....lets just blame it on the grape.

To conclude........it is so wonderful to have folks like Linda write so poeticly about Daufuskie. It truly is a special place and her poem verse about the poet, philosopher and hermit are right on. And I must comment on the fine fact that she didn't ask anybody about "how do you get your groceries". That just shows the "class" that is Palm Beach.

And I leave you with this fine verse from this old Daufuskie "Character" ....."Drink Wine Scoodie Oddie....Drink Wine.....

.........................................................................................................................

By LINDA MARX
Special to the Daily News

South Carolina Island offers Southern Charm, History

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Mickey Gioia (enlarge photo) Bird statues add whimsy to the Hilton Head Ferry Dock, where resort guests can catch a private ferry to Daufuskie Island. (enlarge photo) An example of blacksmith/metal artist Chase Allen's sculptures at The Iron Fish. Photo courtesy of www.ironfishart.com (enlarge photo) Carriage rides at Daufuskie Island Resort traverse a path shaded by moss-covered oaks. Mickey Gioia (enlarge photo) Joe Yocius has turned an old lighthouse and oil house into the Silver Dew Winery, a specialty vintage he sells at the island's general store. A blues musician, he runs a recording studio out of his winery and hosts a blues festival on the island.

To live happily at Daufuskie

You must have the soul of a poet

The mind of a philosopher

The simple tastes of a

hermit

And a good Jeep!

— Harriet Boyd, sister of a former resident

After we boarded the ferry from a dock at Hilton Head, S.C., the 40-minute ride to Daufuskie Island was a hop and skip aboard a trade wind.

We weren't sure what to expect on this island filled with conservative yet beautiful and costly homes, a venerable hotel, guest cottages, vacation villas and a variety of eccentric scavengers who live modestly.

But after about an hour, my friend, my two Jack Russell terriers and I were quite taken with the low country charm and 3 miles of white, sandy beaches and salt marshes. We were amazed at the abundance of wildlife — including egrets, osprey, heron and dolphins, which at times, seemed more plentiful than people.

In short, Daufuskie Island, a 1,200-acre island sanctuary, looks like God's country, and the denizens who live here — young couples with second homes, writers, artists, sculptors, drop-outs and wealthy retired gentry (including hockey great Mark Messier) — thrive on its isolation.

Contemporary Southern author Pat Conroy wrote about the beauty and complexity of the island three decades ago in his memoir The Water is Wide.

Daufuskie Island is between Hilton Head and Tybee Island, Ga., on the Atlantic Coast, nestled into the intersection of Calibogue Sound and Cooper River. A ferry also leaves from Savannah, Ga., about a half-hour closer to Florida, but you don't get the low country backdrop.

With no bridge connected to the mainland, Daufuskie is a lone island in the stream. It was the first inhabited Carolina Sea Island, and remains the southernmost tip of South Carolina. Golf carts and bicycles are the main transportation, although the 250 island residents are allowed to drive vehicles.

People come to Daufuskie because of its natural beauty, clean environment and outdoor activities. And once you have spent 40 minutes on the ferry to get there, it is best to hang around for at least three days.

In that time, even the most power-packed people can relax, recharge and unwind enough to enjoy the seashore, the pair of professional golf courses by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf, the marina, the award-winning Breathe Spa, the five swimming pools, tennis center, fishing, hiking, biking and equestrian center.

According to the book, An Island Named Daufuskie, by Billie Burn, an erstwhile island postmaster and school bus driver, the name Daufuskie is either Gullah (a Creole language) and means "the first key" or Indian and means "island of blood."

Antebellum style

As tourists for a few days on two occasions, we checked into the antebellum-styled Daufuskie Island Resort & Breathe Spa. There are several choices for accommodations, from oceanfront guest rooms with sitting and work areas in the plantation-styled Melrose Inn to two- or four-bedroom cottages and villas on the sea or golf course. Each bedroom has its own phone line, voice mail, Internet connection and private bathroom.

The first trip, we stayed in an older cottage usually reserved for the owners. It had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen and large living room. We had spectacular ocean and garden views. After one night, we were quite comfortable, and loved to watch the sunrise and sunset from our porch.

On our most recent trip this spring, we stayed at the resort's main inn (Melrose) on the second floor in a large room with a huge marble bath and splendid views of the water. It was clean and charming, with Southern-styled furnishings of red and gold.

There are several restaurants in Melrose, plus a couple of others nearby — one in the golf club, another in the beach club.

The hotel staffers are nice and friendly, and love pets, but the inn service is laid-back like the lifestyle of the barrier island. Don't go there looking for instant gratification. We had to wait a few minutes longer for answers to questions, but there was plenty of distraction to hold our attention.

We rode around the grounds on our assigned golf cart and saw fancy homes and the more transient areas in full bloom. Melrose is the main social area with an attractive conference complex for business meetings and conventions.

Bloody Point, on the other side of the island, has another golf course, clubhouse, condos, pool, the cafe/bar Marshside Mama's with great shrimp and grits, and the Breathe Spa.

Eclectic people

Daufuskie is a community of interesting, iconoclastic people, who either mix with tourists on a daily basis or stick to their own friends.

One local character, Joe Yocius, has turned an old lighthouse and oil house into the Silver Dew Winery, a specialty vintage he sells at the island's general store. A blues musician — he goes by the name "Low Country Joe" —runs a recording studio out of his winery and hosts a blues festival on the island.

On the way to the spa, we rode through magical maritime forests filled with live oaks that went on and on like a scene out of a Gothic novel — spectacular, scary and relaxing all at once.

Spa evokes nature

The Breathe Spa itself is a woodsy oasis. The decor combined the sea with the garden and woods.

Pick among nine massages, exfoliation, wraps, hydrotherapy baths, hand and foot treatments, skin care and waxing services. I had an invigorating massage. Towels were luxurious, and the locker room was finished in woods and soft colors.

We dined in the Old World Stoddard Room. The food was delicious, the service excellent and the ambiance upscale, but not overwhelming. We sat and talked until midnight, and no one pushed us out.

For snacks or other small desires, the general store is open daily. With no full-scale grocery on the island, it's best to bring necessary supplies on the boat from Hilton Head.

Tours, excursions

Historical, nature and archeological tours are available, as well as fishing excursions. Ask about these at the front desk of the hotel. And for history lessons about the island, many of the local residents will regale you with stories dating to the Civil War.

Or, just hang out with a good book, close friends and your beloved pets. For any season, island tranquility is good for the soul.

IF YOU GO

Daufuskie Island is midway between Hilton Head, S.C., and Savannah, Ga. Ferry service to the island is available from both cities.

Lodging

Daufuskie Island

Resort & Breathe Spa

421 Squire Pope Road

Hilton Head, SC 29926

(800) 648-6778

daufuskieisland

resort.com

The resort is composed of two plantations, Melrose (in the center of the island on the Atlantic) and Bloody Point (on the southernmost point).

Summer high season rates:

Oceanfront cottages: $259-$539 a night.

Rooms in the hotel: $199-$329 a night.

Vacation home and villa rentals: $4,500-$7,500 a week.

Three-bedroom premium villas: $539 a night.

Historic sites

The 1881 First Union African Baptist Church, the Praise House and the Mary Fields school and the site of the 19th century Bloody Point Lighthouse.

Local artisans

Daufuskie Gallery, on Sarah Grant off Haig Point Road. Original paintings, basketware, stained glass and books written by local authors. (843) 842-3300

Silver Dew Pottery: Nature- and water-inspired bowls, plates, mugs and more. (843) 842-6419

The Iron Fish: Meet Chase Allen, a blacksmith/metal artist who specializes in hand forging steel into wall-mounted fish sculptures at a historic Gullah cottage, 168 Benjies Point Road, Daufuskie. (843) 842-9448; www.ironfishart.com

"All Dirt is Clean"

"I love dirt of all kinds. All dirt is clean. There's no such thing as filthy dirt".
Kathy Griffin

Hey now.....is that a great quote or what......and then there was that other quote about buying it because they are not making it anymore. Right on!!!!!   

The "Liberal Press" has been telling the world that the housing market is in the crapper.....And they will continue their boring philosophy until after the Presidential elections.  But have you ever heard anyone say the Lot/Dirt market was hurtin'. No sir re Bob......Actually big time developers are telling their prospects in Bluffton South Carolina "Ya'll" to buy dirt and build later. Now there's a unique idea....Dahhhh...as if it hasn't been a popular idea for years.

And if there is one place that dirt is a true bargain/steal....it's on Daufuskie Island just a nautical mile from upscale Hilton Head . Do me a favor....after reading this pontification click on  http://www.baldheadisland.com and do a search on golf course lots. Bald Head is a beautiful Island (one of my favorites) on the outer banks of North Carolina. More importantly it is accessible only by ferry just like Daufuskie. So one would think the lot prices would be similar.....Well....you do the search and find out for yourself. But I can save you some time and say you will be hard pressed to find one under $400K.

So lets get back some "dirt talk". On Daufuskie Island you can buy a gorgeous golf course lot from between 150 to 170K with just a little over two minute golf cart ride to the beach. So immediately your mind says...."whats wrong with it".....well there is nothing wrong. There is no green toxic ooze coming out of the ground. Very simply put folks jut haven't found it yet to any degree. But that is about to change. In future blogs I will give you insight "the real skinny" as to what is "happening"....and happening it is.........

So...the bottom line is....would you like to buy a "real deal" on some clean dirt today or will you tell some Realtor just as short time from now "Ya Know I could have bought a lot on this here place called Daufuskie for 150K and just walk to the beach and now it is worth zillions......Man .... I should have done it."

It's all up to you.    Have a great day.....LCJoe

Pelecanus Occidentalis

Pelecanus Occidentalis, The Story by Low Country Joe

The Date….Sometime in July of 1985…..The Time….Oh…about 10:30 AM….The Temperature about 90 degrees….The Place, Oceanfront Palmetto Dunes Hilton Head…..The Subject, Joe Yocius (before he became Low Country Joe®)…The Story…..It was a beautiful Saturday morning as I walked out of the Villamare construction site sales office toward my car. And then the dastardly deed happened that changed my life forever….from the Carolina blue sky above a large warm brown and white blob hit me square in the forehead…that is before I wore hats….worked its way thru my hanging sun glasses… down my clean white shirt and just pressed kakis …ending up on the just laid asphalt. I stopped in amazement, was “taken back” by anxiety, took a deep breath “foul odor”….had visions of meeting an early demise……and then realized that I had just been baptized by the droppings of a very large brown pelican. Tears streamed from my eyes, not as much from the acrid smell, but from the belly gut, leg slapping laughter that most of us are only blessed with a few times in our life. I looked around to around to share my glee….but sorry to say, no one was there and “the story” would have to be told by the soiled white shirt. Yes, this blob dropping scenario did change my life in my Lowcountry travels….You’ll notice I seem to have a crook in my neck and constantly look skyward. But more importantly on the ferry ride across Calibogue Sound I am blessed to see pelicans every day…and each day that I see them I break into a big old grin and it gives me a chance to laugh deep inside. Plus that, I have learned to have a deep found appreciation and love for this “Pelecanus Occidentalis” that I would never have had before. So in the interest of scientific interpretation please allow me to pontificate a bit and educate you on this magnificent bird. It seems that the “deed doer” Brown Pelican which we have in the Lowcountry and Florida is one of a group of eight species. You have your Australian Pelican known to have he longest beak of any bird, the white pelican found as far North as Alberta Canada and other assorted species. Our local guy (or girl) weighs approximately nine pounds, is four feet long, has a wingspan of seven feet and can consume up to four (4) pounds of fish a day….which explains the ”large blob in question”. Their huge pouch is amazing in that it holds three times as much as their stomach can. Their lifespan is about 12 to 14 years, are very social in their habits and nest with each other in large colonies. I guess that explains why they seem to always be flying together in giant v formations…..once I counted over thirty skimming just inches off the water over the sound. But the fun comes in when they spot a school of fish, quickly gain altitude and with wings folded back do their daredevil dives (ouch)….into the sea. So the moral to the story, if there is a moral, you might want to be vigilant in the Lowcountry when the blue sky above is blessed with a passel of pelicans. Or maybe you just might want to go out and buy yourself a large brimmed Low Country Joe® style hat. Or you just might want to say “the heck with it” and take your chances considering folklore does say that a “bit of luck and a blessing ” can come from the situation. And I will leave you with this quote from a noble gentleman by the name of Dixon Lanier Merritt. “Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican! His bill holds more than his belican. He can take in his beak Enough food for a week. But I’m darned if I know how the helican.”

Happy Campers.....Happy Trails

You all look like happy campers to me. Happy campers you are, happy campers you have been, and, as far as I am concerned, happy campers you will always be.
Dan Quayle

I was asked one time in a TV interview....."LCJoe ...what do you like best about living in the Carolina Lowcountry". Wow....was that an easy question to answer "live"...so I stared right into that old lens and said "the wonderful people I have met from around the world". Now the response might seem a little "corny" at first but it came from my heart....and it is true.

Patti and Steve from New Joiissssey are prime examples of wonderful people. You can just look at their faces and see they are "Happy Campers". I met them sitting at the Hurricane Bar at  Palmetto Bay Marina's, Black Marlin. Their smiles and overall demeanor brought happiness to my life, the Island  seemed better because of them and even the Corona I was drinking tasted better.

So I leave you with this familiar old song  from Roy Rogers and Dale Evans that just seems perfect to end this profound pontification.

Happy Trials to you..... until we meet again

Happy Trails to you .....keep smiling until then

Happy Trails to you.....until we meet again

Governor signs South Carolina Coastal Insurance Law

Just when you think the "Good Old Boys" are sitting up in Columbia on their proverbial "fannies" and doing nothing but drinking sweet ice tea they pass a new State Coastal Insurance law. Its provisions are designed to entice more insurers to the State and offset rising costs. Following is a short summary of the new law courtesy of the "Island Packet".

SAFE HOME PROGRAM

What: The coastal insurance law creates SC Safe Home, which offers matching and non-matching grants to entice homeowners in hurricane-prone areas to make their homes safer.

How: Homeowners apply for a grant of up to $5,000. (Guidelines are expected to be posted at scsafehome.com by Aug. 1.) Property owners whose homes are less than $150,000 in value are eligible for grants up to $5,000 with no match required.

Owners with higher-valued property are eligible for grants that require them to put up a matching amount.

What it means: The grants can be used on projects from upgrading exterior doors to installing thicker hurricane-resistant roof shingles. The program will have roughly $2 million in its first year, according to the Department of Insurance.

To learn more: SC Safe Homes will hold a workshop on making homes more hurricane resistant from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 29 at the Home Depot, 1100 Fording Island Road in Bluffton.

TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS

What: State income-tax credits are available to home-owners who make their properties more resistant to hurricanes. They can get a tax credit of up to 25 percent of the cost of the building materials, not to exceed $1,000. Homeowners also can get up to $1,500 in income-tax credits for sales taxes on those same building materials. The state also will give a tax credit for insurance premiums that exceed 5 percent of a homeowner's adjusted gross income.

What it means: A home-owner with a project large enough to qualify for both tax credits can save $2,500 on home improvement. Lower-income homeowners can get a break on insurance costs, starting with taxes for 2007 filed in 2008.

NEW CANCELLATION POLICY

What: Insurance companies now will be required to give lengthier warning periods when canceling policies. Policies written for a term of one year or less will require 60 days' notice prior to cancellation. But if the policy comes up for renewal during hurricane season -- between June 1 and Oct. 31 -- 90 days' notice is required. Previous required notification was 30 days for all cancellations.

What it means: If your insurance company decides to cancel your policy, you will have more time to shop for a new one, especially during hurricane season.

CATASTROPHE SAVINGS ACCOUNT

What: Homeowners can set aside money in a designated savings account to help defray insurance deductibles or self-insure their home, and they can deduct that money from state income taxes.

How: Homeowners can put twice the amount of their insurance deductible, not to exceed $15,000, into a savings account, or up to $250,000 if they are self-insured. Funds can only be put in regular savings or money market accounts. If the money is withdrawn to pay for qualified catastrophe expenses, the money is not treated as income by the state.

What it means: If a hurricane hits, a homeowner with one of these accounts won't have to pay state income taxes on the money used for an insurance deductible. If the money is used for something else, taxes would be due.

The state Department of Revenue is expected to have more information on these accounts in July on its Web site, www.sctax.org.

WIND POOL CHANGES

What: The South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association, or wind pool, is an insurer of last resorts that is overseen by the state and covers specific coastal areas. The legislation didn't expand the pool in Beaufort County. It did make some overall changes to the program, such as a tiered-rate system.

What it means: A tiered-rate system could mean higher rates for those closest to the water who buy wind coverage from the pool. Rates for those farther inland could drop.

In southern Beaufort County, these zip code areas are included in the wind pool: 29926 and 29928, which cover Hilton Head and Jenkins islands; and 29915, Daufuskie Island.

Bluffton area 29910 and Okatie 29909 are not included. Moss Creek and Buckingham Landing also are not included in the wind pool, even though they are in the 29926 zip code.

TAX CREDITS FOR INSURERS

What: Insurers who write new full property and casualty insurance coverage with wind coverage included in coastal areas after Dec. 31 will receive a credit of 25 percent of the 2 percent premium tax they pay the state.

What it means: The goal of the tax cut is to make the coastal areas more appealing for insurers to write polices. It is hoped this will lead to competition and lower premiums.

Ned has gone to "Pig Heaven"

It'a a sad day on Daufuskie. The Island's famous porker has died and gone to "Pig Heaven".

Ned surely had celebrity status in his life. He was featured in numerous magazines and even on TV. One of my fondest memories was watching him  barge into Marshside Mommas restaurant one evening, knocking over every chair in his path with the restaurant's proprieter close behind screaming Ned....Ned...... 

But Ned led a long good life. He "pigged out" on fine table scraps, was known to down a cold Buweiser on many occasions and had every good looking gal that ever visited the County dock rub his head. Ned was also a notorious snorer. If you couldn't find him you could hear him as he snoozed under the post office.

But I know Ned is up in "Pig Heaven" now, looking down on Daufuskie and sucking down a cold one.  God Bless you Ned. You were a fun part of the lives of "Locals" and visitors alike. The Island will never be the same without you.

The Prince of Tides....The Same Old Song

Received the following well intentioned, well thought out comment on yesterday's Beach Field Blog. Please read it first and then I will comment.

Comment Re: Beach Field
According to the developer they are trying to preserve trees and instead of going through the wetlands, they are going around them. No need to worry about that same old song, in 3 or 4 months, there won't be many wetlands left as most of the ground water is now in an eight foot deep ditch running through the middle of Oak Ridge along Beach Road and Pappy's Landing (no safety problems here right?), then through the Eichelberger Tract and into Mungen Creek. And, oh, what is causing all of the smoke, soot and noise along Beach Road. Those aren't trees burning in the woods are they?

I must say this comment found its way to my soul. It also reminded me of Jimmy Buffets song "The Prince of Tides". No it isn't Barbara Streisand's movie, its a song Jimmy Buffet wrote when he visited Daufuskie years ago. My first thought was to "explain away" the tree issue, the ground water issue and the smoke permeating the air from trees once full of life. But no, there comes a time to listen to all concerned and "be still". When I moved into the Lighthouse seven years ago my closest neighbor was almost a mile away. More importantly to me, I could stand on the Lighthouses's old porch, listen to the waves breaking on Bloody Points shore, breathe fresh salt air, and not see a light anywhere except for the stars. Now I am awakened each morning by the annoying sound of leaf blowers, and the once dark mysterious South East skyline is now a flurry of lights from the Sandy Lane condos.

"How can you tell how it used to be, When there's nothing left to see" is Jimmy's chorus. Well there is something there to see, it just isn't what the Indians that roamed the Island centuries ago saw. It's not what the native Islanders saw when they let their cattle roam on what they called Haig's Point. Scarring the pristine Lowcountry Maritime forrest is not what God intended.  But one needs to be a realist and understand that nothing ever stays the same. All I personally can do is to preserve the History around me and write about the Daufuskie Island that I have come to know and love. We can all complain about the progress, be it good or bad. But if it wasn't for the "bulldozers burying the past" at Haig Point, Bloody Point and Melrose none of us would be here.

So, its truly up to us to insure Jimmy's lyric "When there's nothing left to see" does not come to fruition. We can make a difference and attempt to preserve and protect whats left of the mystical Island we call Daufuskie.

And beach music, beach music, beach music just plays on. It's that same old song.

*******************************************************************************************************

Jimmy Buffett/Michael Utley

African drums are silent and the Wingos
are poets at last
Out on Dafuskie Island, the bulldozers
bury the past
And the low country sinks, she cannot swim
the dogwood feels the hurt
While the foursome plays on borrowed days in
their alligator shirts

Chorus
Now I realize who killed the Prince of Tides
How can you tell how it used to be
When there's nothing left to see

One night they put a price on the sunset and that
got the whole earth shakin'
Those rose from the grave both the weak and the brave
'cause history was there for the makin'
And the winos surrounded the condos forming
a frail human fence
And they shouted out loud to the roar of the crowd
"Same old story, more dollars than sense"

Chorus
Now I realize who killed the Prince of Tides
How can you tell how it used to be
When there's nothing left to see
Paperback novels make young girls dream and
Judy's spending quieter days in the stream
With Giovinno, Goodman, Phil and Mac D, they were
such good friends to me

Chorus
Now I realize who killed the Prince of Tides
How can you tell how it used to be
When there's nothing left to see

Heaven knows but God decides
When to kill the Prince of Tides
How can you tell how it used to be
When there's nothing left to see

Nothing left to see
And beach music beach music beach music
just plays on

Beach Field in my back yard

Well.....The word is finally out on Daufuskie Island's newest development. The Island Packet placed the announcement front page center in their business section. Actually tree removal and infrastucture work has been going on for weeks. All this is happening literally in my back yard. Its amazing that the SIlver Dew Winery will actually have a lake view.

The planned cottages will be Lowcountry in style with wide porches and tin roofs. Oyster style stucco and Southern pine will be prevelant. The entire develpment is definately a return to the older coastal architecture.

You can check out development at www.beachfieldsouthcarolina.com

Lots will not be placed on the market until this Fall. If you have an interest please give me a call at 1-843-684-4445

God's Creations....Banff and Kananaskis

Many years ago my Bride and I visited the Canadian Rockies. For some reason I had always wanted to visit Banff, Larry Scorch's fictional "F Troup" home. Our plane touched down on the Calgary airstrip surrounded on both sides by fields strewn with fresh baled hay. That unexpected window view was the beginning of one of the most eclectic and wonderful vacations we have ever experienced.

In less than an hour our rental car brought us to ear popping elevations. The crystal clear river flowing amid wildflower strewn meadows of the Bow Valley lay before us.  The towering majestic Rockies caressed us and made one feel insignificant in the midst of God's creation. Soon I was slowing for real live moose in Banff's downtown as "granola looking" locals peered at us with welcomed but cautious eyes.

Our "stay" that evening would be the Banff Springs Hotel built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1888. The included pic shows a "heritage" picture of folks on horseback. The pic could have been taken today because thankfully nothing has changed. Soon we found the hot springs and soothed our tired bodies like travelers did a century ago. I even donned a tradition looking bathing suit complete with shoulder straps. I will never forget Mary's laughter as I made my way to the steaming pools.

Our first day was complete and crisp clear August mountain air filled our open windowed room. The auroma of fresh cut flowers soothed the senses and the thougtfully placed piece of chocalate on my pillow competed my sensual experience. Sleep came easy knowing that a true adventure awaited in the following days.

And a true adventure it was. We visited a nearby glacier, drank ice cold water with scouped hands, was told by our guides how the massive piece of ice we were on was melting at an alarming rate and took close up pics of big horned mountain goats. I got high on Bow Valley lager with the locals at a truely funky town called Canmore and gazed in amazemant at the blue green waters of Lake Louise. We backpacked to a cliff hannging tea house and made snowballs in August.

But the real experience was still to unfold. It was not until we arrived in Kananaskis did the true sensual mountain adventure begin. Kananaskis was the home of the 1988 downhill olymics and it was immediately obvious the olympic committe that picked the site did not go to school to eat their lunch. As we made our way up to our lodge I was simply "taken back" by the beauty that unfolded before us. If was as if my eyes simply could not perceive what was truely real. In that regard I will not try to portry this worldy vision but leave it up to only you and your eyes alone should you decide to visit.

The day and the our Canadian Rocky experience was almost complete. A glass of fifteen dollar port and a thick T-Bone steak enjoyed in front of a roaring fireplace seemed appropriate to complete the adventure. It seemed there was nothing left for my brain to perceive. That is until I saw a small Canadian History sign the following morning directing me to a sideroad as I made my way down the mountain.

Now one must understand that part of our experience was trying to catch snowflake on our tounges in August. Big time snow would roll in soon making the side road I was on inpassable. But as I made a turn in the road, there before me was a small log cabin complex. A lovely young lady in a Canadian Historic uniform greeted us. It was her last day and the historic site was about to close for the year. She mentioned we were lucky to catch her open...and ...OH and how lucky we were. Mary and I had stumbled on the site where captured high ranking German ship Captains were confined during World War Two. This place was definately "not" on the Canadian Chamber of Commerce tour stops but is a true piece of Canadian History. I am sure many Canadians still do not not know it exists and if they do know, want to forget . Remnants of the fortified village were preserved complete with high barbed wire fence and machine gun towers. The small museum contained minute ships in bottles and one felt the prisoners futility knowing tring to escape in Winter meant freezing to death. There was a feeling about this place that was trulely unique. I think about it often, sometimes as I lay awake late at night. Its one place I will always remember but when Mary and I visit Kananaskis in the future I will feel compelled to pass this little side road by.

The jet engines roar and the wheels rumble down the runway. A bank to the South reveals "The Canadian Rockies" in all their incredable glory. I read a quote once that said life was to short to go back and visit any particular place. That writer obviously never visited Kananaskis. God willing my Bride and I will return soon.

Rip Currents/Tides

This week is NOAA Weather's "Rip Tide awareness week. Unfortunately for a teenage swimmer who drown on Hilton Head Island last week, the awarness campaign came too late. I don't know if this poor soul got caught in a rip current but from all indications the surf was perfect for their formation.

Basically a rip current is a river of water that rushes out from the shore to the sea. They can also form around groins, jetties and piers. The diagram included shows it in its simpliest form. Even the strongest of swimmers cannot fight a rip current. Swimmers must swim parallel to the shore and not swim into it. Sounds easy but when you are being swept out with heart racing and fear of death, it's not.

For more on rip currents/rip tides please click on the following WIKI link. Have a great day at the shore, just remember to always check conditions with lifeguards first.

Have a great Summer...LCJoe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rip_current