The Woodrows and others stayed at sea for almost nine hours before it was deemed safe enough to continue island hopping. Despite being part of one the worst natural disasters of the past century, the family still describes their experience as “most enjoyable.”

“It’s hard to pick a favorite island in Hawaii because each has its own distinct beauty,” said Charles. “Hawaii has volcanoes like Kilauea and Oahu was also very pretty. It’s very difficult to pick one over the other, and I don’t think I can.”

Kilauea is an active volcano that frequently causes damage, while Oahu is home to the famous naval base at Pearl Harbor.

With the majority of their vacation spent in the capital city of Honolulu and being caught slightly off-guard by pricing on the islands, the Woodrows managed to save money by booking travel through Vacation Inspirations. They used the Vacation Inspirations website and travel agency, rating the company’s service in selecting and booking hotels and cruises, as well as its overall customer service, as excellent.

Best of all, because the Woodrows are members of Vacation Inspirations, they received a rebate check after their vacation was over. While they are staying closer to home for their next vacation, Vacation Inspirations will be on hand to assist in planning and booking to save even more money.

To learn how you can save money in booking your next vacation, call Vacation Inspirations at (800) 692-1587 or visit www.CharlestonTravelAgency.com.

Charles and Lillie Woodrow of Hopkins, South Carolina, have been members of Vacation Inspirations for two years but decided to take their first trip to Europe only last year.

“We had a good experience, so we booked another vacation this year through Vacation Inspirations and headed to Hawaii,” said Charles Woodrow. “While we won’t travel as far from home next time, we will definitely utilize our membership with Vacation Inspirations again.”

A 15-day vacation to the Hawaii Islands is a dream vacation for many, and it is definitely one the Woodrow’s won’t forget any time soon.

“We were on a cruise line visiting some of the islands when the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan,” Charles said. “It was incredible, but we were kept informed of what was happening the entire time. The cruise line took us out to sea about 25 miles to avoid getting hit ourselves. It was definitely a new and once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us.”

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina lies only minutes northwest of Charleston and is also a quick trip to Daniel Island, Sullivan’s Island and the Isle of Palms, to name a few. Local beaches and upscale communities draw those looking for the convenience and style of living the Mt Pleasant offers. Mount Pleasant remained a small town until well into the 20th century, populated in part by Charlestonians wealthy enough to afford summer homes on the other side of the Cooper River.

Mt Pleasant is ever-expanding and adding to its restaurants, shopping and entertainment already found throughout the area to keep residents satisfied, busy and interested. The state-of-the-art Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge linked Mount Pleasant with Charleston in 2005 with extensive renovations taking place on highway 17.

MOUNT PLEASANT NEIGHBORHOODS

For those looking for a new place to call home, Mount Pleasant has numerous communities offering wonderful features, amenities and conveniences making East Cooper one area’s more desired places to live.

Take, for example, Hibben in Belle Hall. Hibben is a delightful blend of houses built in the Charleston style set along sidewalks that invite you to go for a relaxing stroll or a long, invigorating run.

656 Coleman Blvd’s luxury 3 and 4 bedroom townhomes within walking distance of Shem Creek, restaurants, retail shops, and Mt Pleasant’s ubiquitous entertainment.

Residents of Brickyard Plantation enjoy amenities such as the elegant clubhouse, tennis courts and pool but best of all is the boat launch and floating dock on Horlbeck Creek. With a scenic entrance on Hwy 17,

Etiwan Pointe’s luxurious townhomes just off of Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant are only minutes away from area beaches. Etiwan Pointe residents enjoy an oversized first level complete with two-garage and generous storage space.

OTHER NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS

On Johns Island you will find Whitney Lake townhomes, a residential community set around a spring-fed, man-made lake. Interiors are designed to appeal to the upscale buyer with feature hardwood floors downstairs and luxurious carpeting upstairs. Whitney Lake is near local attractions like the Charleston Tea Plantation, the Angel Oak and Kiawah Island’s Beachwalker Park.

Freshfields Village in Johns Island has a farmer’s market every Monday (4 to 8 pm). Sitting between Seabrook and Kiawah Island, Freshfields Village is becoming a tourist destination.

“Our level of community is one that Dorchester County has never seen,” Davis explained. “Many other areas are subdivisions, while we are a master-planned community. The amenities were put in place before the first homes were sold.”

Among the Ponds’ amenities are access to membership in the on-site YMCA, a 25-meter saltwater pool, the restored 1830s farmhouse that is part of the community center, five parks, two 20-acre ponds, an Amphitheatre and a 20-mile trail system.

We at Greenwood are very careful to be good stewards of the property and to give people more than what they expect. We can go on forever about this very special place. We appreciate the opportunity to develop this property in a sustainable way so people can always enjoy it. It is a unique situation.

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The Ashley is more than just a river to the residents of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Because of its length and innate beauty and the sense of direction it provides, it is more like a gift of Nature. The Ponds, a spectacular 2,000-acre community in Summerville, is at the headwaters of this historic river, at Schulz’s Lake.

“We are the highest point of navigation,” said an enthusiastic John Morgan, community manager at The Ponds. “This is the beginning of the Ashley River.”

The Ponds has more to offer than an excellent location and an eternal connection to one of South Carolina’s most picturesque bodies of water.

“We have a diverse range of multifamily homes, town homes and single-family homes that are blended together like a true Southern town. They aren’t sectioned off like most places you find today,” Morgan explained. “The Ponds is definitely a place where you can live, work and play.”

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