Let Passionate Voices Speak, All Voices Heard!

I want to know: What's wrong with citizens giving public officials hell?
What's wrong with taxpayers raising their voices to elected officials?
What's wrong with ordinary people (seniors, taxpayers, vets, moms) coming out to meetings and speaking their minds?
That's what the Tea Party people do and I honestly can see nothing wrong with that.
What's wrong with afflicting the powerful?
What's wrong with challenging authority and being passionate about it?
What's wrong with passion?
Would we rather have a citizenry that's laconic, disconnected, apathetic? Is that what we want?
That's not America.
Our founders were passionate people. They cared. And the movement that created this nation was neither quiet nor particularly well-behaved.
Look at some of the trailblazing figures of American history: Patrick Henry, Ethan Allen, John Brown, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, W. E. B DuBois, A Philip Randolph, Walter Reuther, Samuel Gompers, John L. Lewis, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Betty Friedan, Bella Abzug, Harvey Milk. These people were not particularly docile. They were vocal. They challenged authority. And they were often disruptive.
Even many of our leaders have been rambunctious: Andrew Jackson, William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt, General Patton, General MacArthur, Barry Goldwater.
Harry Truman gave 'em hell and he became an American hero.
It's far too easy to sit on the sidelines and smugly ridicule those who believe in something while often accusing them of ignorance or lack of intelligence.
But watch out for those who remain vigilant and honestly defend their beliefs. Remember: Ronald Reagan was considered a dim-witted novice and a tool of special interests before he and his ideas began to catch on.
Yes, the anti-war movement, the environmental movement, the women's movement and the civil rights movement have all embraced passionate, vocal and sustained challenges to the powers that be.
I know; I marched in those civil rights and anti-war marches and I shouted down a few opponents myself. I was there at the Poor People's Campaign and the Days of Rage. It's called free speech. The First Amendment embraces it.
And at the other end of the spectrum, the modern conservative movement upset the sleepy, dispassionate, country-club mentality of the Republican Party to unleash a cause that led to the triumph of capitalism and the end of communism. That was ignited by free speech, too.
None of it was quiet.
All of it was noisy.
Much of it was disruptive.
The people, the system, the nation can handle it.
Let all be heard.
God bless America!

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Romney: Strength Is Our Only Sure Defense!

I start with the fundamental conviction that America is the greatest nation in the history of the world and a force for good.  And while we are not perfect, I will not apologize for America!

Our president has taken a different approach.  Have we ever had a president who was so eager to address the world with an apology on his lips and doubt in his heart? He seems truly confused not only about America’s past but our future. 

So critical was President Obama of America before the United Nations that Fidel Castro complimented him for his “courage” and “brave gesture.”  And Venezuelan dictator and thug Hugo Chavez joined in on the praise.

We can’t lead the world by hoping our enemies will hate us less. Ronald Reagan rallied America with “Peace Through Strength.”

American strength is the only guarantee of liberty.  American strength turned the Cuban missiles around. 

American strength caused the collapse of the Soviet Union.  American strength yanked Saddam Hussein out of his spider hole.  With freedom as our cause, strength is our only sure defense!

--Mitt Romney, speaking today to the national convention of the VFW.

Click here to read the entire speech.

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Mitt Romney On The Campaign Trail

“We would not have seen the president on a bus tour had his first 940 days in office been successful. President Obama has not gotten the job done and his policies have failed. He’s hoping that by going on a three day bus tour he can make up for hundreds of days of failure.” –Mitt Romney
Click here for more.

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Topless Women In US, Canada Cities This Sunday

Get ready: Women will parade topless this weekend.
According to a site called gotopless.org, women will go topless in 15 US and Canadian cities this Sunday, August 21. The topless events will occur at various times in various cities but many will occur at midday.
Why are women being urged to come together and go topless?
According to the organizers of Go Topless Day, it's all in the name of constitutional equality.
The idea is toproclaim a woman’s constitutional right to go bare-chested in public. During the protest, while participating women go bare, male participants are encouraged to cover their chests with bikini tops or bras to proclaim equal rights for both genders.
Sound ridiculous?
“It’s no more ridiculous than women having to wear tops at all time in this double-standard, topless battle that’s being waged in public and in the courts,” said Nadine Gary, president of GoTopless.org.
For Rael, spiritual leader of the Raelian Movement and founder of GoTopless.org, the equation is simple: "As long as men can go topless, either women should have the same constitutional right or men should also be forced to wear something that hides their chests.”
Here are the participating cities, times and specific places for the topless demonstrations:

• Austin, TX
  Noon-3:00 PM
  6th Street / Congress
  


• Asheville, NC
  1 PM
  Pack Square
  


• Chicago
  Noon to 5PM
  North Avenue Beach (walkway overpass-north of Boathouse)
  


• Clearwater Beach, FL
  11AM
  Prob. Clear Water Beach
  


• Chico,CA
  2PM
  Downtown Plaza
  


• Honolulu, HI
  3-5 PM
  2434 Kalakaua Ave.
  


• Los Angeles (Venice Beach)
  2-5PM
  Ocean Walk and Navy
  


• Manchester, New Hampshire
  2-5 PM
  Veterans Memorial Park
  Elm St. between Central St. and Merrimack St.
  


• Miami Beach
  4PM - Lincoln Rd @ Washington
  


• New York City
  noon to 4 pm
  Central Park- Columbus Circle (59th Street / 8th Avenue)
  


• Portland, OR
  2-4PM
  Tom McCall Waterfront Park (under the Hawthorne Bridge)
  


• San Francisco
  12-3PM
  Mission Dolores Park, Dolores St. & 18th St.
  


• Washington DC
  2-4PM
  Capital Reflecting Pool (Madison Dr NW & 3rd St NW)

• Toronto
  Meeting at 12pm (noon) at the beach known as Ashbridges Bay Park.
  


• Vancouver
  Meeting at 1:30pm at English Bay Anchorages #1-17 

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Perry: I Will Make Washington Incosequential

Excerpt from the announcement by Rick Perry of his candidacy for president:

We’re dismayed at the injustice that nearly half of all Americans don’t even pay any income tax. And you know the liberals out there are saying that we need to pay more. We are indignant about leaders who do not listen and spend money faster than they can print it.
In America, the people are not subjects of government. The government is subject to the people. And it is up to us, to this present generation of Americans, to take a stand for freedom, to send a message to Washington that we’re taking our future back from the grips of central planners who would control our healthcare, who would spend our treasure, who downgrade our future and micro-manage our lives.
It is time to limit and simplify the taxes in this country. We have to quit spending money we don’t have. We need to get our fiscal house in order and restore our good credit. And we will repeal this President’s misguided, one-size-fits-all government healthcare plan immediately.
We’ll create jobs. We’ll get America working again. We’ll create jobs and we’ll build wealth, we’ll truly educate and innovate in science, and in technology, engineering and math. We’ll create the jobs and the progress needed to get America working again.
And I’ll promise you this: I’ll work every day to make Washington, D.C. as inconsequential in your life as I can. And at the same time, we’ll be freeing our families and small businesses and states from the burdensome and costly federal government so those groups can create, innovate and succeed.

Click here to read Rick Perry's entire speech.

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Beautiful Las Vegas And Environs

Death Valley.

Palm trees in the desert.

Oh, those Bellagio fountains!

Hoover Dam from the new bridge.

 . . . but it's a DRY heat!

City Center.

The view from the top of the Mandarin Oriental.

The ever-changing Vegas skyline.

Just for fun, here are some more photos of Las Vegas and environs.
All photos copyright 2011 by Dan Cirucci.

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Video: Indiana State Fair Tragedy; Four Dead

A stage collapse in high winds at the Indiana State Fair has left four dead and some fair goers possibly still trapped under the collapse.
The audience was waiting for a performance by the country group Sugarland when high winds apparently blew the stage forward onto the crowd.
Here's an excerpt of the breaking story from wire services:

Details on the conditions of those injured were not immediately known. Indiana State Police told The Associated Press they were still working to gather information and did not have anything to release yet.

Emergency crews were called to the scene. Workers were setting up a command center to tend to those who were injured.

Thousands of concert-goers were being evacuated to a nearby building because of high winds when the rigging for the stage fell onto the track where some were seated.

Click here for more.

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They Thought Obama Was 'Almost God'

Remember Peggy Joseph?
She's the woman who celebrated Obama's victory and thought that Obama was going to pay her mortgage, taxes, all her bills. It was as if the savior had arrived.
Hmmmm . . . I wonder what happened to Peggy Joseph.

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Peggy: Government Can't Provide Family, Home, Love

A excerpt from Peggy Noonan writing in the Wall Street Journal on rioting, reckless, unemployed and unemployable youth in America and England:

Where does that leave us? In a hard place, knowing in our guts that a lot of troubled kids are coming up, and not knowing what to do about it. The problem, at bottom, is love, something we never talk about in public policy discussions because it's too soft and can't be quantified or legislated. But little children without love and guidance are afraid. They're terrified—they have nothing solid in the world, which is a pretty scary place. So they never feel safe. As they grow, their fear becomes rage. Further on, the rage can be expressed in violence. This is especially true of boys, but it's increasingly true of girls. What's needed can't be provided by government. When the riot begins or the flash mob arrives, the best the government can do is control the streets, enforce the law, maintain the peace.

Click here to read more.

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Hautingly Beautiful: Death Valley!

This ain't like no dip in the road you'll see in Philly, hon.

Zabriskie Point, near the site where borax was mined.

The salt flats -- the lowest point below sea level in America.

The words "Death Valley" may sound scary.
And at this time of year, the area can feel almost like a furnace with temperatures in triple digits daily.
But Death Valley is remarkably accessible and magnificent in its natural beauty and grandeur every season of the year -- even on the hottest summer days.
We stayed at the Furnace Creek Ranch inside the Death Valley National Park and had a great time. We hope you enjoy these vivid images of a place that epitomizes the rugged spirit of the West.
This is definitely one for your bucket list.

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Las Vegas: Here's The Best 'N Worst Of It

Based on our recent visit to Las Vegas, we've managed to put together a very subjective best 'n worst list of our highest recommendations and biggest disappointments. Here it is:
Best dining - We still love Wolfgang Puck's Spago at Caesar's. Service, ambiance and meal were all top notch. Pasta is divine. The staff is superb!
Most romantic spot with view - The lounge at the top of the new Mandarin Oriental at City Center. The drinks are great, the jazz is cool and the view is positively spectacular.
Best buffet - The Buffet at Aria in City Center. It's almost a sin to call this a "buffet." From Alaska king crab legs to peach cobblers and French pastries (all in a nifty environment) this is a super-memorable dining experience -- and good value, too.
Surliest service - From the staff at Otto in The Venetian's St. Mark's Square. Would it kill anybody here to smile?
Best architecture - All of City Center. This is a sleek new homage to the modern school of  design with cool mid-century vibes. It manages to strike a rare balance in shrill, sin city: both comforting and invigorating at the same time.
Most durable attraction - Penn & Teller at the Rio. Ten years in the same theater hasn't dimmed this pair's act one bit. They're still great audience pleasers -- and still packin 'em it.
Most overrated attractions  - All of the Cirque du Soleil shows. These cookie-cutter spectacles are gobbling up every showroom in town. If you must, see just one and get it over with.
Rental car agency to avoid: Dollar Rent-A-Car. No cars, no choices. Even though we had a specific reservation, they told us we had to wait for a car to be returned to get our preference. Then they tried to push us into a van.
Undiscovered treasures - The Neon Museum and Boneyard and the Atomic Testing Museum. Don't miss either one of these!
Liveliest outdoor experience - The Fremont Street Experience, downtown where Las Vegas began.
Best value, pure entertainment -Vegas, The Show at Miracle Mile Shops in Plant Hollywood. This is Las Vegas as it was meant to be.
Vaguely disappointing - Tobey Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill in Harrah's. We're not sure what we were expecting, but we know this wasn't it.
Best way to avoid The Strip traffic - Koval Lane. It connects with most of the casinos and gets you right into self-park.
Best pool (and pool bodies) - The Cosmopolitan, overlooking The Strip. This is a multi-level feast of sensual and visual delights. VERY Miami.
Nicest staff - The people at The Rio. They go out of their way to please.
Strangest phenomenon - Harry Reid -- and the suckers who keep electing him.
Favorite politicos - Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and her predecessor (and husband) Oscar Goodman. As relative newlyweds, these two moved to Las Vegas from Philadelphia in 1964 arriving in August with only $87 left in their collective pockets shortly after Oscar successfully completed the Pennsylvania bar examination. The rest is history. Bravo!
Best place to buy show tickets -  Tix 4 Tonight. get same-day tickets to most shows at 30% to 50% off. Also, great deals on dining.
Still a dazzler -  The outdoor fountain show at The Bellagio. Don't miss the last shows at 11:45 PM and midnight!
Best place to shop - Town Square at the end of  The Strip (Las Vegas Blvd.). A lovely outdoor oasis with all the shops and restaurants you want -- and movies, too.
Best new view - The spectacular view of Hoover Dam from the new Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, the key component to the Hoover Dam Bypass project and the first concrete-steel composite arch bridge built in the US. It' breathtaking!
Most intimate casino - For all its size, the casino floor at Paris remains wonderfully cozy, in a charming, French sort of way, of course.
Best summer value - The dining deals at every restaurant at Wynn and Encore. Thank you, Steve!
Fascinating, friendly shop - The Teno Store at Plant Hollywood in the Miracle Mile Shops. Beautiful titanium and stainless  steel jewelry and watches -- all nicely priced, with a friendly and helpful staff.
How to know you're alive -  Go see Blue Man Group at The Venetian. Exhilarating!
Artistic treasure - Henry Moore, Claus Oldenberg and more at City Center. 
Gehry to gaze at - The Center for Brain Health at Cleveland Clinic between The Strip and downtown. This Frank Gehry designed Center is an instant landmark! 
Best place for people watching - Just about everywhere! 
What happens in Vegas - Whatever you want, baby. 
Photo copyright 2011 by Dan Cirucci.

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Las Vegas' Neon Heritage Shines Bright

Las Vegas' Aladdin Hotel and Casino may be gone.
But Aladdin's lamp still shines brightly on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas.
For that we can thank the wonderfully enterprising Neon Museum and Boneyard.
The Neon Museum has actually acquired many iconic Vegas neon signs and images and quite a few of them are alive and well -- on exhibit and shining brightly every night on Fremont. It's worth a trip downtown to see these evocative pieces of Americana. They represent an important part of our national heritage and bespeak a time when Las Vegas was one of the biggest little cities in the world -- a sharp-shootin saloon town that epitomized the freewheelin ways of the  wild, wild west.
The Neon Museum has even more neon at the boneyard but we can't show you the photos of those signs in part because they're not quite ready for viewing. They still await restoration.
But we do recommend that you visit the boneyard yourself. A contribution to the Neon Museum will gain you admission to one of the most fascinating, most unusual attractions in the whole country. It certainly was a highlight of our recent trip to Sin City.
And while you're downtown in Vegas be sure to visit The Fremont Street Experience -- a dazzling light and sound show that spans four of the liveliest blocks west of the Great White Way.
It's Vegas, baby . . . Vegas!
All photos copyright 2011 by Dan Cirucci.

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We All Know Where The Buck Stops

Last year at this time we journeyed to America's heartland -- to Kansas City and nearby Independence, Missouri where we visited the Truman homestead and library.
When we toured the library and viewed Harry Truman's recreated presidential office we saw the famous sign that Truman kept on his desk, placed there so that visitors could clearly see it.
Surely you've seen that famous sign in old photos or newsreels. At this point i's iconic. It said: "The buck stops here!"
Truman wanted everyone to know that passing the buck ended at the door to the oval office. The blame game came to an end at Truman's door. The President of the United Sates must, could and would accept responsibility.
And Truman did just that.
The decisions were his. He madre the calls and he took the heat.
Americans know this to be true.
We know where the buck stops.
And in case we forgot, bold, decisive leaders like Truman were not afraid to remind us.
But we need no lessons on civics or history on this one.
Whether this sits well with the current president or not, the buck stops squarely at his door and the responsibility is his.

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Penn, Teller, Vegas And 'Vegas, The Show'

For us Las Vegas always means live entertainment with real, live, bigger-than-life personalities, live music, showmanship and a bit of magic (or the newer term, illusion) thrown in just for good measure.
So the first show we decided to see here this time around was Penn & Teller at The Rio.
We like to feel that we sort of discovered Penn & Teller. We first saw them decades ago when they performed in a VERY small venue in San Francisco. They were part of a group called The Asparagus Valley Cultural Society.
The group must have disbanded (or whatever) because Penn & Teller emerged as themselves and the second time around we saw them perform at the McCarter Theater in Princeton.Their tricks and illusions became bigger, sometimes scarier and more complex and they became a hotter and hotter ticket. Then, they achieved near superstar status via television (most notably on the Showtime network) and their irreverent approach to the "magic" of magic.
When our good friend Nessa Forman was inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame we actually got to meet Teller since he came to perform at Nessa's induction luncheon.
Now, Penn & Teller have their own big, beautiful theater at The Rio and their show is a non-stop delight -- funny and astounding. And, each night they change the order of things and add new and different elements. Plus, there's audience participation so, be forewarned.
The next show that we decided to see was 'Vegas, The Show' at the Saxe Theater at Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile.
If you're looking for pure, Las Vegas style entertainment with songs, dances, great costumes, high production values, comedy, impressions and even some acrobatics then this show's for you.
Vegas, The Show recreates the greatest moments in Vegas' history and tells the story of the most influential and exciting entertainers who made Vegas...Vegas.
From Vegas icons like The Rat Pack and Elvis to today's hottest stars the young and energetic cast of more than 40 performers, a 12-piece big band orchestra and beautiful showgirls make this one of the biggest stage productions on the Strip in almost 20 years.
The performance takes you back in time to experience true Las Vegas entertainment the way it was meant to be. You will relive the best moments of the most dynamic singers, dancers, and unforgettable personalities to ever step foot on the world-famous Strip.
This production takes the stage at the new $34 million Saxe Theater a 22,000 square foot facility that features premium stadium seating. 
The Saxe Theater stage incorporates state-of-the-art lighting, sound, fiber optic video curtains and other cutting-edge theatrical equipment so the audience won't miss a beat.
Though Vegas, The Show is tinged with a bit of nostalgia, it's a lively, irrepressible, fast-paced presentation that never misses a beat.
And you don't have to remember the "old" vegas to enjoy the show. We sat next to a newly-married couple in the early 20's and the loved every minute of this first-class production.

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'Take China To The Mat?' Obama Did NOTHING!

When he ran for president, candidate Obama said he would take China "to the mat" over its unfair trade practices – but instead he is the one being treated like a doormat.
China still does not play by the rules or provide an open and level playing field on which we can compete.  In fact, the most recent data shows that while China continues to grow its economy rapidly, our exports to China are actually falling!
If Mitt Romney is elected President, he will not tolerate this situation.  He will get tough with China.
Make no mistake – Mitt Romney is a strong believer in free trade and open markets.  Opening new markets overseas creates new demand for American products and services, which in turn creates new jobs for American workers.  As the world's second largest economy, and one of the fastest growing, China offers incredible opportunities for American companies.  If these companies are able to compete in the Chinese market, they will create countless jobs here at home.
Unfortunately, China is trying to deprive America of that opportunity.  For too long, we have allowed China to take advantage of our goodwill and commitment to openness.  We have opened our own markets to them, but we have gotten little in return.  They steal our technology, manipulate their currency, and put up barriers that prevent us from competing.  As a result, for every four dollars of goods China sells into our market, we are only able to sell one dollar's worth into theirs.  The resulting trade imbalance is the largest in the history of the world.

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'Dallas' Returns To TV; Behind-The-Scenes Video

The legendary series 'Dallas' returns to TV  next summer on the TNT network.
'Dallas' will feature young, new stars (the next generation of the Ewing clan) as well as the stars of the original series.
You won't want to miss it!

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NJ First Lady To Lead State Girl Scout Centennial

New Jersey's First Lady, Mary Pat Christie has been named the Honorary Chair of the Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary year-long celebration in New Jersey. Founded by Juliette Gordon-Low, who coordinated the first Girl Scout Troop in Savannah, Georgia, the organization will mark its 100-year milestone on March 12, 2012.

“For 100 years, the Girl Scouts have empowered, challenged and inspired young girls in New Jersey, across the nation and around the globe,” said Mrs. Christie. “As a former member and current Girl Scout mom, I recognize the important role the organization provides in helping each scout find and develop her individual potential and learn important life skills through leadership and service activities. Girl Scouts instill a sense of personal pride and achievement for participants and I am honored to be part of this centennial commemoration.”

Approximately 145,000 girls and adults are current members of the Girl Scouts in New Jersey. Alumnae of the program total in the hundreds of thousands in the Garden State and total over 50 million in the United States.

"We are delighted that Mrs. Christie will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts with us. As First Lady, as a Girl Scout parent, and as a successful businesswoman, Mrs. Christie sets a tremendously positive example for more than 100,000 active Girl Scouts who proudly call New Jersey home,” said Helen Wronski, CEO, Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey.

The 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting provides an opportunity to celebrate with current members, reconnect with former members, and recruit new members while reaching out to past, present, and future donors and volunteers and the community at large.

New Jersey’s four Girl Scout councils, which consist of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey, Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey and Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, have joined forces to plan three signature events for the occasion: a bridging ceremony over the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, a bridging ceremony over the Ben Franklin Bridge in Camden, both on November 13, 2011, and a Girl Scout Jamboree/Camporee called The B.I.G. (Believe in Girls) Celebration:100 Years from June 22 – 24, 2012 at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

As part of the year-long festivities, the Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey have launched their 100th anniversary website at www.girlscouts100nj.org to provide new networking opportunities for Girl Scouts past and present and also will serve as an important tool in recruiting new members to join the Girl Scout community.

Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls that affords an accepting and nurturing environment to help girls build character and skills for success in the real world.

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Noonan: This Is No Time For Games

Peggy Noonan has a wonderful column in the Wall Street Journal this weekend about the budget/deficit crisis and the current state of America.
In it, she chastises President Obama for being manipulative in the middle of all this and warns him that the game playing must stop.
It's an incisive and illuminating column that senses the pulse of the nation.
Here's an excerpt:

But everyone over 50 in America feels a certain cultural longing now. They hear the new culture out of the radio, the TV, the billboard, the movie, the talk show. It is so violent, so sexualized, so politicized, so rough. They miss the old America they were born into, 50 to 70 years ago. And they fear, deep down, that this new culture, the one their children live in, isn't going to make it. Because it is, in essence, an assaultive culture, from the pop music coming out of the rental car radio to the TSA agent with her hands on your kids' buttocks. We are increasingly strangers here, and we fear for the future. There are, by the way, 100 million Americans over 50. A third of the nation. That's a lot of displaced people. They are part of the wrong-track numbers.

So is this. In the Old America there were a lot of bad parents. There always are, because being a parent is hard, and not everyone has the ability or even the desire. But in the old America you knew it wasn't so bad, because the culture could bring the kids up. Inadequate parents could sort of say, "Go outside and play in the culture," and the culture—relatively innocent, and boring—could be more or less trusted to bring the kids up. Popular songs, the messages in movies—all of it was pretty hopeful, and, to use a corny old word, wholesome. Grown-ups now know you can't send the kids out to play in the culture, because the culture will leave them distorted and disturbed. And there isn't less bad parenting now than there used to be. There may be more.

There is so much unease and yearning and sadness in America. So much good, too, so much energy and genius. But it isn't a country anyone should be playing games with, and adding to the general sense of loss.

Click here to read the entire column.

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Beautiful Hilton Head: Jewel Of The Lowcountry!

 

We've been enjoying a splendid, extended period of time in magnificent Hilton Head Island, South Carolina -- the jewel of the Lowcountry.
A these photos show, there is a seductive magic about the island. It envelops you in its irresistible glow.
The natural beauty must be experienced to be beleived.
Photos copyright 2011 by Dan Cirucci.

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Why I'm High On The Lowcountry

I love the untamed nature of South Carolina's beautiful lowcountry.
The gators, geckos, pelicans, falcons, cranes, raccoons and many other creatures of this vast, natural treasure. The grand live oaks. The vibrant crepe myrtles and willows and tall pines and sky high bamboo. I love the the fragrant magnolias and the rich, lush landscape. I love the tall sawgrass wispy amidst island breezes and the endless marshlands and the ocean, bay, rivers, lakes and lagoons.
If you haven't been here, you can't appreciate the seductive quality of this beautiful stretch of America -- the magical lure of the lowcountry.
Every season of the year, this land has a special appeal. But the steamy, endless days of summer give it a beguiling character that is near-mystical.
C'mon down! You're bound to be enchanted.

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