The other day I was out on the golf course enjoying the warm Charleston sunshine. Once in awhile you cross paths with other golfers going from fairway to fairway at which time you engage in some small talk. As our foursome walked past another group dressed in windbreakers and sweaters one of them said, "Northeners", at which we inquired, "Why do you say so?" "Who else would be wearing shorts and shirts on a cold day," he replied. My companion golphers all chuckled a bit and as we walked to the next tee we looked at each other and said, "Southeners."

Here's a little bit of irony when it comes to southern living. Homes in mild winter climates are especially vulnerable to frozen pipes. Why you may ask? Because they tend to have plumbing in exterior walls, attics, crawl spaces and other unheated or unprotected areas. Already this week nighttime temperatures have dropped down into the 20's. So, here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to the pipes in your home.

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Article written by Rick Dunbar first published on Charleston vacation blog Vacation Rick of Charleston.

Charleston is settling into fall and making preparations for the coming brief southern winter us northeners amusingly refer to as nothing more than a late fall or early spring. People are exchanging bathing suits for sweaters, so the beaches are less crowded. Only the hardy soul is willing to take a dip into the cooling waters at the Isle of Palms or catch one more curl off the shores of Folly Beach. As warm weather activities on shore are winding down the cooler intercoastal waters are creating an opportunity of another sort.

Just ask Captain Marvie Benford of Benford Fishing Charters and he will tell you the time is right. The spottails are going on a frenzie because they too are making preparations for the winter soon to come. Marvie is new to the charter business, but not new to Charleston saltwater fishing. Although a young captain, having fished the Charleston waters for years, he is very familiar and well educated on the hot spots and techniques of Charleston coastal fishing. To top it off, you cannot beat the enthusiasm he brings to the fishing sport business.

Benford Charters first excursion, a group from Wisconsin, was a major success. The group caught 25 spottails. Four reds ranged from 26 inches to 30 inches. As an added bonus, they caught six sheepshead navigating around docks and a few trout. They fished the outgoing tide, in the morning, and all the reds were caught on cut mullet or live shrimp on the bottom and under a cajun thunder popping cork. Personally speaking, I have fished other charters in the Charleston area and have been disappointed. Catching 25 spottails in one morning, I would have been ecstatic.

Charleston waters contain plenty of structure and plenty of opportunity for the enthusiastic angler. Couple that with home grown experience and you have a killer combination. For reservations contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Captain Marvie Benford at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call 843-729-8079 and tell him Vacation Rick sent you. Spottail bass or red drum are probably one of South Carolina's most sought after fish and are plentiful in Charleston waters. Set the hook and keep your rod tip up.-Vacation Rick of Charleston.

Article written by Rick Dunbar first published on Vacation Rick of Charleston. Check out all the articles on things to see and do in Charleston and everywhere.

Would you go on a cruise ship that holds over 6,000 passengers? Wow, that is alot of people in a confined space of 1184 feet and sixteen decks. Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is a cruise ship of gargantuan proportions featuring seven distinct nieghborhoods and departs out of Fort Lauderdale. Yes, you heard it right, neighborhoods. Sounds like living in the burbs. The Allure of the Sea, its sister ship, will debut in 2010 with a capacity of over 5,000.

Disney will be releasing into service in 2011 its third ship called The Dream that will accommodate over 4,000 passengers departing out of Port Canaveral. It will feature the first water coaster at sea, called "The Aquaduck" and will have a 9 hole mini-golf course. The adult-only Quiet Cove Pool will include a swim up bar and a series of connecting pools with hot tubs for adults & families. Has your interest peaked with those little or should I say huge tidbits of information?

I have been on cruises with over 2,000 passengers and crowds have never been a problem until the last day when departing the ship, but over 6,000 passengers? Although, considering I have been to some sporting events with 60,000 to 70,000 spectators, 6,000 or 4,000 doesn't sound like alot and again the crowds were no problem until exiting at the end.

However you may answer the proposed question at the beginning of this article many will say yes or cruise lines would not be building bigger ships. The fact of the matter is cruising has become very popular and Charleston is on the list of cruise ports.

Carnival's Fantasy has made Charleston its home and is now sailing year-round from our beautiful port offering a variety of 5 to 7 night Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean cruises. Fantasy has been fully refurbished and ships capacity is over 2,000. Quite modest in comparison to 6,000, but emphasis is still on non-stop fun and excitement. Check out Fantasy's itineraries with destinations including Freeport, Nassau, Grand Turk, and Carnival Cruise Lines' own private island paradise, Half Moon Cay. Take a 360 degree virtual tour of the ship.

Article by Rick Dunbar first published on blog Vacation Rick. Check out all the articles on things to do and things to see in Charleston.-Vacation Rick Travel

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, home again, home again, jiggety jig. To market, to market, to buy a fat hog, home again, home again, jiggety jog. To market, to market, to buy a plum bun, home again, home again, market is done. This nursery rhyme came to mind when I thought of writing about the Old City Market. Now I don't know about buying fat pigs, fat hogs, and plum bun, but the Old City Market originally sold foodstuffs, including meat, fish and fresh produce grown locally.

Today, the City Market is definitely the center of attention and on any given day, especially the warmer months with cruises in port and tourists in abundance, quite crowded. Many of the carriage rides begin their tours here and on both sides of the Old Market numerous specialty shops and restaurants cater to the many visitors needs and wants. Locally crafted sweetgrass baskets, clothing, artwork, jewelry, local souvenirs, perfumes, food, T-shirts, and other gift items are displayed by numerous vendors.

Coming down Meeting Street from the interstate there is no mistaking you have arrived at Old City Market because Market Hall stands out rather distintively compared to the surrounding structures. It was built in 1841 from a design by Edward Brickwell White and is a copy of the Temple of the Wingless Victory in Athens, Greece. Charles Cotsworth Pinckney ceded the land to the City of Charleston in 1788. So far his wishes that a public market be built on the site and remain in use as a public market into perpetuity has been honored. The low buildings that stretch from Market Hall to the waterfront have survived fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and bombardment.

Even now, as a resident, when taking new visitors or relatives to Charleston I invariably end up at the Old City Market like it is "Go" on the Monopoly Board. All my favorite restaurants and sites are a short walking distance. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co is there with their "Bucket of Boat Trash" and at one time offered you a chance to embarass yourself or show off your hula hoop skills at its entrance. Around the corner on East Bay Street is Southend Brewery where I stop for a sidewalk lunch and sample their great microbrews. Charleston Place, one of Charleston's finest hotel venues graces this area and also the Market Pavilion Hotel with its rooftop bar overlooking the Market where on a hot, humid evening you can catch the slight breeze coming off the bay while leisurely consuming a cool alchoholic concockshun.

The Old City Market is an intricate piece of the Charleston experience. Parking can be a challenge and patience is a must if you are looking to park on one of the streets, but there are lots and parking garages in the area as an alternative. By the way, if you see a man hosing down the street creating a sudsy, foamy looking substance, don't ask him what he is doing. Looking forward to seeing you hobnobbing around beautiful Charleston.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston

Article by Rick Dunbar first published on vacation blog Vacation Rick. Check out all the other articles on what to do and see in Charleston and more.