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Good morning!
Discover Farmers’ Markets lush with organic produce (the heirloom tomatoes are especially fine). Walk miles of beaches sprinkled with happy families and romantics. Tour cool mountains of pristine nature abuzz with activities (Brevard and Seneca are worthy 36-hour destinations). Dozens of easy to find festivals are robust with food and fun. (Check out Aiken’s yearlong celebration of its 175th birthday. Something happening all the time.)
Of course, we play outside all year. Golf? Near perfect! (Play the Woodside Discovery Package.) Ditto on tennis (see our worldwide high rankings down the page).
Staycations are passé. Summertime getaways are back. Whether you’re exploring for relocation, acclimating to your new digs here, or planning your next vacation, you’ll find a ton of great value opportunities and memorable experiences to enjoy across the Carolinas.
 Consider our suggestions, borne from years of personal exploring. And, thanks to you, our readers, for feeding us ideas that drive us to offer up the best of life and times.
 Seneca, SC
By Gerald Sweitzer
Seneca has changed over the years from a textile town to a popular retirement destination following the construction of two beautiful mountain lakes, Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee. Attractive residential areas dot the shoreline of Lake Keowee, providing residents a view of the clear lake blending into the mountains of North Carolina along the north end of the this18,500-acre lake. Read more …
Photo: City of Seneca, SC
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WOODSIDE PLANTATION • AIKEN, SC
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To truly appreciate the beauty of Woodside and everything the premier community has to offer, you have to experience it in person!
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DAY TRIPPIN' • BREVARD, NC
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 It just doesn’t get more delicious than summertime in the Appalachian Mountains.
The daytime temperatures are downright delightful, and after the sun dips below the peaks, it’s sweater weather.
In the middle of many good options, we’ve chosen Brevard for our next 36-hour adventure because this charming mountain town has more ways to have fun than most areas can imagine, as well as a mindset that welcomes retirees and part-time residents into an event-filled, creative community fold. Read more …
Photo: NC Division of Tourism & Sports Development
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Where was that article about Black Mountain?
Find it in the February 2010 Issue, linked in the archives of this eNews, plus all the priceless information available on Carolinas experiences.
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 3-D is one fascinating experience, but what about 4-D??? Even better. At the South Carolina Aquarium a one-of-a-kind adventure awaits.
You’ll experience gusts of wind,
splashes of water and movement, all synchronized to your favorite
family films. All ages will love it, as well as the rest of the
Aquarium, which is Charleston’s most visited attraction.
Photo: ©2010 SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment. All rights reserved.
 Step Back in Time
The Inn at Half Mile Farm will host a stunning gala to benefit the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival’s 29th Season.
The dinner, A Step Back In Time, catered by Epting Events, is slated for Wednesday, July 14th at the Inn at Half Mile Farm and will feature wines by Tiger Mountain Vineyards and performances by The Vega String Trio. The dinner will be held on the grounds of the Inn overlooking the picturesque Apple Lake. Learn more about Cashiers & Highlands, NC here.
 (Play tennis, that is.) Tennis Resorts Online named two Charleston area resorts as the top tennis resorts in the world. Kiawah Island Golf Resort maintained its No. 1 status, which it has held for four of the last five years, while Wild Dunes Resort moved from No. 10 in the world in 2009 to No. 2 in 2010. Nearby Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort rated No. 7.
Tennis Resorts Online surveyed players to assess resorts in 17 categories. Categories included quality of lodging, restaurants, children's programs and value. For the complete list of 2010 Top Tennis destinations in the U.S., click here.
Photo: The Sanctuary, Kiawah Island Golf Resort
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High-Tech
Treasure Hunt
Calling
all you geocachers! Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s themed heritage
trails take North Carolina visitors on one of 13 geocaching hunts, with
the help of a hand-held GPS device and lots of ammo boxes holding
treasure. Choose from Civil War, American Independence, International
Cuisine, and many more themes to help guide your journey.
Learn more about the growing pastime of geocaching here.
August 13 & 14, Pelion, SC
 Boiled peanuts. We’ve taken them across country to family reunions at which some cousins would fight you for the juicy beans, while others would gag at first taste. You won’t find them in New York, Chicago or L.A. You will find them in abundance at the 29th Annual South Carolina Peanut Party, held in the tiny community of Pelion, about 20 miles south of the capital city of Columbia. Peanut farmers whose families have grown the legumes for generations have a tradition of boiling peanuts that has evolved into a party that brings in visitors from all over.
Why go? It’s an authentic small town Carolina festival with beauty pageants, crafts, rides for the kids and loads of great food. Even if you decide you prefer roasted to boiled, you’ll have fun – guaranteed.
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Lovin’ Local!
 Living in or visiting western North Carolina? Check out the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project's Local Food Guide for western North Carolina and the southern Appalachian mountains.
They have a variety of directories including restaurants, grocers and even B&Bs that support locally grown, sustainably harvested food. Two {green} thumbs up for this great resource!
Pop Quiz!
Test your GREEN living knowledge…
True or False: A first-time homebuyer can afford a certified green home. Find the answer here!
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ARE YOU A FAN?
Check out CarolinaLiving's new Page on Facebook! Post your comments and pictures from your travels in the Carolinas, talk to other fans, learn more about CarolinaLiving, and let us know what you want to see featured in future issues. We can’t wait to hear from you! |
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 Sex and the City: The Prequel Before taking the Big Apple by storm, Sex and the City star Kristin Davis was living it up in Columbia, SC. Born in Colorado, she moved to South Carolina’s capital as a small child, and later graduated from A.C. Flora High School. Today, surely Charlotte and her SATC gal pals would enjoy perusing Devine Street, Five Points and other eclectic shopping places about town ... Southern girls do love to shop!
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CAROLINA CUISINE
 Craving something fresh and flavorful for dining al fresco on a warm summer evening? Try whipping up a colorful plate of Walnut-Basil Pesto with Grilled Chicken and Summer Vegetables . It’s seasonal comfort food, courtesy of Kim Byer, local foodie blogger of The Paper Apron, that’s sure to entice a second helping. Enjoy!
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OFF OUR BOOKSHELF
In North Carolina, one can explore everything from charming mountain villages to picturesque wineries to historic coastal lighthouses. As the author says, it’s “time to hit the road!”
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And more about Seneca in …
phone 803.782.7466 