A Springbreak get-a-way at Myrtle Beach

The kitchen was very bright with the white cupboards and yellow and blue walls. The kitchen work space was rather small, but had plenty of counter space. The living room was very cheerfully decorated and had access to the balcony via patio doors, which gave it lots of light. The building we were in seemed quiet compared to the other large buildings of the Seawatch Plantation Resort.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The pier is only about a half mile to the south of Fairfield Seawatch, and it is fun to walk to the end and watch the fishermen catch all kinds of ocean fish. You can rent poles and fishing gear right at the store at the end of the pier if you want to try your hand at fishing. Of course, there is always the walk down or up the beach and finding those great shell "treasures." What a way to spend a relaxing vacation!

Prices are all about the same with a regular adult ticket price at $18 and $10 for children.

While in Charleston be sure to visit the many shops along Market Street.

Our grandchildren were eight and ten at the time of our visit, and although our granddaughter tried to act like it wasn't anything great, the enthusiasm of her brother definitely "rubbed off!" And it was because they had over 700 alligators and crocodiles, extremely rare exotic snakes, lizards, tropical birds, tortoises, albino alligators, and komodo dragons with live shows and demonstrations to thrill all ages (including us!). The alligators ranged in size from 8-inch newborns to 13-foot adults. When we were there the educational shows were given every hour - the even hours were alligator shows while the odd hours were reserved for snake shows. We listened to lectures and watched as the staff fed these animals. At the time of this writing their website is under construction but it looks like it will be very informative. Check out Alligator Adventure.

Ticket prices for regular season January through October are Adults $31.95, Youth $15 (ages 16 and under), and Student $20 (ages 17 to 20). Tickets can be ordered on line at Carolina Opry.

Patriots Point is home to the USS Yorktown, also known as the "Fighting Lady." Before she was decommissioned in 1970, Yorktown also played a historic role in the space program, recovering the crew of Apollo 8. Yorktown offers dozens of exhibits dealing with daily life aboard an aircraft carrier, and memorials to carrier sailors killed in action as well as test pilots, naval aviators, and aircrewmen. On the hangar deck and flight deck of Yorktown, you can see original airplanes and helicopters representing virtually every variety of aircraft flown by naval or marine aviators from the early days of World War II through the Persian Gulf War. Also shown several times a day on the Yorktown is the documentary film "The Fighting Lady."

Moored next to the "Fighting Lady" is the USS Laffey, a World War II destroyer that survived the onslaught of Japanese kamikaze attacks. Aboard the Laffey you can see the bridge, battle stations and living quarters. You can also see the memorabilia and memorials to the destroyermen of World War II.

Also moored alongside the Yorktown is the USCG Cutter Ingham ,which fought in the convoy battles of the North Atlantic. Aboard USCGC Ingham you can visit exhibits that show life aboard a Coast Guard vessel, and the National Memorial to Coast Guardsmen lost during World War II and Vietnam.

Also at Patriots Point is the diesel attack submarine USS Clamagore. Aboard the Clamagore, it is easy to visualize what it was like to live onboard a submarine by visiting her control room, the crew's berthing and mess areas, the engine rooms, and other areas. There is also a memorial to submariners lost at sea.

Also onsite at Patriots Point is a full-size Vietnam Advance Tactical Support Base where you can visit living quarters, an ammunition bunker, the combat information center, a 24-foot high gun observation tower, jeeps, helicopters and a 31-foot River Patrol Boat.

The Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is open every day except for Christmas Day. All exhibits open at 9:00am Eastern Time throughout the year. Winter hours (October 1-March 31)with closing time at 6:30pm. Summer hours (April 1-September 30) with closing time at 7:30pm.

Adult admission (12 & older) was $12.50 and children (6-11) was $6.00. This is not a bad price for all you see, plus the advantage of great historical lessons!

Ticket prices were $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children. Hours are daily, except for January 1 and December 25. Hours: 10:00am to 5:30pm, April through Labor Day, and 10:00am to 4:00pm in March and September through November.

This historical fort is well worth the time and money. It is recommended that you listen to the history tape played on the tour boat and read the park brochure before reaching Fort Sumter. The time allowed at the fort is only one hour and the time flies by if you want to hear and read everything posted at the Fort.

The "battle" between the north and south is played out with a lot of different acts and competitions. The way they draw the audience into the show is great.

Not only do they give a great show, but the meal is fantastic. Of course, the highlight for my eight-year-old grandson was to be able to eat the entire meal without utensils. The meal consisted of a rotisserie chicken, barbecued pork loin, creamy vegetable soup (served in a handled soup bowl), homemade biscuits, corn on the cob, herb-based potato, and Dixie's very own Specialty Dessert with unlimited Pepsi, tea, or coffee.

Tickets sell for $34.99 for adults and $18.99 for children(4-11yrs.) Ticket prices include the show, meal, entertainment in the non-alcoholic Carriage Room prior to the show.