Abberly at West Ashley Blog

This is a great time of year in South Carolina. Fall, but the days are warm and the evenings are cool. The windows are open in your apartment in Charleston.  But, what would autumn be without a hayride and a corn maze. Enjoy a pumpkin patch where you can run and play in the fields before they are cut for winter.

At Boone Hall Plantation, in Mt. Pleasant, the corn mazes last through the end of October, so be sure to catch them while you can!

The Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch is an absolute “must go” event for the whole family. Every year thousands of people of all ages visit this Lowcountry favorite.  Here you will find the "Largest Jumping Pillow In The State" which continues to be one of the most popular attractions with a huge jumping surface of  70’ x 30’.

"Mount Playsant" Hay Mountain and Slide Tower  is over three stories tall and provides a load of fun.  Take a hayride down "Monster Alley." There are animals to feed, games, build your own scarecrow, a sand pit play area, and much more.  Pick your own pumpkin at the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch.  

The event also features an eight-acre corn maze that is one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. Each year the maze theme changes, be surprised with this year’s theme. Happy Autumn from Abberly at West Ashley.

The South is known for many things, and the South Carolina Low Country fare is extra special. With the many various ways to prepare Grits, Shrimp and Southern Peaches, you could eat all day long in Charleston.

The South Carolina shrimp season is in full-swing. Magwood Seafood has been a fixture in Mount Pleasant for decades, and is famous for providing high quality local seafood at fair prices. Delivery is available, or bring the biggest cooler you have to the store and they'll fill it up with fresh local shrimp!

As South Carolina's state food, grits are considered a staple, a comfort food, and a symbol of our unique culinary traditions. The color of grits depends on the color of corn used – yellow or white. The best part about grits is you can have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, and it is served in diners and in gourmet restaurants.

Summer in South Carolina means peaches. From roadside stands to supermarkets, this delectable fruit graces our shelves and palates from early June straight through to September.South Carolina is #2 in the nation in peach production, second to California. We lead all southern states, including Georgia, and are called the "Tastier Peach State." As a matter of fact, the peach is SC's state fruit. If you haven't tasted one, you're missing out!

So start the challenge at your apartment in Charleston, SC. See who can create the tastiest Shrimp and Grits with Peach pie for dessert.

"Spring Awakening" is a love story just in time for Spring in Charleston!

Spring has sprung in Charleston and the birds and the bees are up to their usual amorous Springtime activities. Seems like all of nature is courting, doesn’t it? You may be catching a little of the fever yourself!

Love is in the air at the North Charleston Coliseum Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, March 15, and Wednesday, March 16 at 7:30 pm each evening when “Spring Awakening” hits the stage. The musical, winner of 8 Tony awards including Best Musical, explores “the journey from adolescence to adulthood with unforgettable poignancy and passion.” (from website)

The North Charleston Performing Arts Center is located at 5001 Coliseum Drive—6 miles from Abberly at West Ashley. Purchase tickets online. Or download the entire Performing Arts Center brochure.

More from the website: “This electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll is exhilarating. Join late 19th century German students as they navigate teenage self discovery and coming-of-age anxiety in a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in the daring, remarkable Spring Awakening. (Warning: Explicit Adult Content).”

Spring over to see “Spring Awakening” at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center!

photo credit: North Charleston Performing Arts Center

Image by cambiodefractal via Flickr

Remember the laser gun game Laser Tag? You would strap on a sensor vest, which if shot, would represent that you’d been hit by an opponent. If you could get a group of friends together to have an all out war, it was always fun. Nowadays, you can find actual places where you can play this game, usually with massive teams of 8 or more.

Now imagine lasers replaced by hurtling balls of paint, and you have an idea of what paint ball is. While definitely not the same thing, when it comes down to it, the sole goal of the game is the same: shoot an opponent to win.

Paint ball is usually taken a bit more hard core than laser tag, and can turn into something out of a Rambo flick, depending on who you’re playing with. Whether you’re a novice, or hard core fan, paintball is a fun activity, and if you’re hanging with a great group of friends, there’s no shortage to great times to be had.

In the area of Abberly At West Ashley there are a host of places where you pop off a few rounds of paintballs. The list below is provided courtesy of PBReview.com (Paintball Review), and includes some nearby paintball facilities. For more detailed information and reviews of each location, click here. Happy hunting.

1. Paintball Charleston Paintball Field
7100 Cross County Road
North Charleston, South Carolina 29418
(843) 552-1115

2. Psycho Paintball
10573 Hwy 78 East
Summerville, South Carolina 29483
843-821-2337

3. Compass Paintball Field
337 FarmingtonRd.
Summerville, South Carolina 29483
843-209-5031

4. What A Rush Paintball/ Beaufort Park
591 Robert Smalls Pkwy
Beaufort, South Carolina 29906
843-524-2267

Image by AmUnivers via Flickr

Festivals of any sort are always fun to head to. Whatever it may involve, be it music, food, wine, art, kids activities, or any host of other things, festivals are a great way to spend your day. When the weather takes a turn for the better, allowing individuals to head outside, this can make an outdoor festival all the more better. You’re getting a healthy dose of your natural surroundings, on top of partaking in whatever event is being offered.

Locally for me, there’s an awesome jazz festival which takes place annually. From my early teens, until now I’ve tried to make it a point to head out to this Memorial Day weekend event, as it provides a day of rest, relaxation, and great music. Vendors abound, selling artwork, pieces of jewelry, and great food. With this backdrop, to great jazz being provided, this outdoor festival is always a fun one to attend.

For residents of The Abberly at West Ashley, between March 3rd-6th, Charleston will host the annual Charleston Wine & Food Festival. According to the event’s website, for four days straight treat yourself to cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and a wide assortment of food. With the recent change in weather, along with the picturesque backdrop of the Charleston area this is definitely day of many events which should not be missed.

For more information head here, and have a great time.

King St, Charleston, SC

The 2011 Original Pub Tour of Charleston began January 1^st. Its last day is February 28^th. I do not know about your experiences but I have never participated in a pub tour. The idea is to go from bar to bar, drinking and eating in each bar. Some people might have experienced this, but not as an organized event.

According to The Original Pub Tour of Charleston website, it is based on the European pub tours. The pub tour is located in historic downtown Charleston. Abberly at West Ashley Apartment Homes is just a 20 minute drive from 40 N Market St. The 2 ½ hour tours occur from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. Appetizers are free for those participating in the pub tour. Group discounts will be available for tour participants.

For more information about The Original Pub Tour of Charleston, visit its website. You can also visit it to purchase the $30 tickets. You must purchase your ticket in advance.

Image courtesy of Jack Duval via Flickr

Charleston's State Flower: Yellow Jessamine

How much of an impact could tourism have on the state of South Carolina?  Our new tourism chief, Duame Parris says the state of South Carolina could enjoy record tourism numbers this spring followed by double-digit growth during the next two years.  The next two years can help to place our economy back one top.

Charleston is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the nation.  Many people come for the history, the artistry or just to enjoy the views and have a nice relaxing time away from home.  This will also explain why so many new people are moving here every month.  Charleston can easily become your new home and grow on you, in a positive way of course.

Perish, our new tourism chief, has a very simple plan.  Keep the welcome center’s open 7 days a week instead of just 5.  People are already coming to South Carolina.  So as we invite more people they need to feel welcome.  It’s no secret that the more tourists come to a state the more money they will spend.  The taxes accrued by tourist will help to stimulate our economy.  Listen to more of what Duanne Perish has to say about creating a greater South Carolina on VictoriaAdvocate.com

The snow and sleet is still nasty across the state.  You may have been skeptical like me when the weather man was calling for snow last week.  But now, oh boy I am a believer.  There are freezing rain reports and weather advisories out for the whole city.  If it is not a dire necessity to go outside then please stay in your apartment.  Here are a few things that you could do to stay busy and productive while you are snowed in.

Snowy Roads in Charleston, SC

• take a nap
• watch a movie
• bake some delicious
• get some work finished
• see how you can help someone else

Some of the best things to do while you are in your apartment for a snow day would be to get ahead on your work.  This may even include catching up on some old work or chores.

Here are some flaky things to do outside in Charleston, SC if you choose to play in the snow.

Abberly at West Ashley Apartments

The winter holiday season is the biggest shopping season of the year.  But showing your friends, family and loved ones doesn’t have to put you in more debt.  Learn how gifting your time can be one of the best gifts that say “I care” this Winter Holiday Season.

We all know how busy the holiday season can be.   One of the best gifts that we can offer is our time.  Be the friend that is there. How can you be of better service to those you love?  Make a list of people that you can see and how long you’ll spend some time with them.  Make sure you get their schedules and tell your family that you will be gifting your time and service to them for the holiday.  One of the greatest callings that a person can have on their life is to serve.

Gifting Your Time For The Holiday’s

Another creative gift idea for the holiday’s would be to help your friends and family to get low cost presents.  You could put together a list of discount shopping stores, websites and shopping directories where they can purchase the same great gifts, but for a much lower price.  The discounts are out there, you just have to find them. You’ll essentially be substituting the cash for time. But the effort will be well worth it.  Who doesn’t want to save money for the holiday’s?  Make the time to show that you care.

Related article: New Holiday Traditions from Learnvest.com

Abberly at West Ashley Apartment Homes