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Charlestonians Can Stop Worrying About Carriage Horses

Featured Image Credit: Charleston CVB

We love living in Charleston. There’s no other place we’d rather be. But, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of problems here. But we’re here to tell you…carriage horses aren’t one of those problems. It’s official, you can stop worrying about the well being of carriage horses downtown. There are more pressing issues to deal with.

First of all, these are the kinds of horses and mules that are meant to work. They come from hardy stock and they actually like having a purpose. Many of them come from working farms, some of them from Amish communities. Compared to the day in and day work on a farm, pulling a carriage with tires down a paved road is a pretty good gig.

carriage

Image Credit: Palmetto Carriage Works/ Facebook

We’ve all seen the shocking videos of horses “collapsing” on downtown streets. These videos are so misleading. Horses and mules pulling Charleston carriages don’t collapse from overwork; sometimes they simply trip…just like humans. It’s just jarring to see such a large animal fall. After such an incident, a horse or mule is thoroughly checked out by an equine veterinarian. The animal doesn’t return to work until the vet and staff are absolutely sure nothing is wrong.

These horses and mules are not only well looked after when there is a small incident, they are given the utmost care every day. They see a vet, an equine dentist, and a farrier on a regular basis. This ensures that their in good health and well shod at all time. When working, the temperature of the horses is taken after every tour.  And if a horse is overheated it doesn’t go back out to work until it has cooled down. And if the temperature outside surpasses a certain point, the horses don’t work.  And they get breaks throughout the day at their barn regardless of the weather or their temperature. So…it’s time to move on. We have bigger fish to fry.

carriage

Image Credit: Palmetto Carriage Works/ Facebook

Housing in Charleston has become a nightmare. As more people pour into the city seeking some of that Conde Nast perfection, the available housing becomes even more limited.  This causes rents and property values to spike so only the wealthiest on the peninsula can reside there. This isn’t just happening in Charleston proper either, it’s expanding to the suburbs of West Ashley, James Island, and Mount Pleasant. Even Summerville and North Charleston are becoming too pricey for some. Making housing in Charleston affordable should be at the forefront of minds.

Airbnb is another problem that Charlestonians might want to turn their attention to. While it seems like a convenient way for travelers to find a place to stay in the city, it’s also detrimental to Charleston and its residents. With a limited number of properties in the city, turning an apartment or house into a short-term rental makes the remaining properties more expensive. The city also loses out on hotel tax. And residents who want to live in neighborhoods and have actual neighbors are surrounded by tourists. Regulations need to be put in place to regulate this.

carriage

Image Credit: Palmetto Carriage Works/ Facebook

Along with the new residents and visitors comes increased traffic. People who came to Charleston thinking they were moving to a small city are now experiencing big city traffic. Interstates 26 and 526 are routinely bumper to bumper. And while rush hour is a total bust commute wise, it seems that no matter what time of day you hit the road you’re packed on the road with a million other motorists. Like the housing issue, traffic is creeping into the suburbs as well, making it hard to commute around the Lowcountry. Measures need to be taken to relieve some of this traffic.

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Eat & Drink

thanksgiving

Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner The Charlestonian Way!

Featured Image Credit: Hidden Charleston

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Do you know what you’re cooking up? While most people have the traditional Thanksgiving turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing, some Charlestonians seem to do Thanksgiving dinner a little different.

Whether you are needing some ideas or wondering “What the Low Country does for Thanksgiving?” below are some feasts that are distinct to Charleston. A lot of these items are popular dinner courses but, some locals have made them a tradition to enjoy at their Thanksgiving tables.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Image Credit: Jennifer Davick

Low Country Boil

The Low Country boil is a dish native to South Carolina. The creation was started in Beaufort, SC by local shrimpers. They produced it with the local foods they had around at the time. The feast typically contains catch-of-the-day shellfish (shrimp or blue crab), meat (andouille sausage, kielbasa, or ham), red potatoes, corn, a lot of old bay seasoning, and lemons. The meal is usually tossed together in a large pot and steamed in a boil basket. We thought the turkey was good, Charleston thought seafood was better! They might be right!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Image Credit: spicedblog.com

Shrimp & Grits

This unique Charleston dish was previously referred to as “shrimps and hominy.” After World War II, grits were referred to as ‘hominy’ by Charlestonians. The dish was previously made with creek shrimp that were caught in the tidal creeks of the marshes. The plate took a turn from being a home breakfast food to an intriguing entrée at restaurants. The dish can be made with different sauces and have its own twist. Make it your own to give your table a Charleston touch this holiday!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Image Credit: eatwritego.com

Oyster Roasts

Another find from the tidal creeks of South Carolina is the famous oysters. Oysters were cheap and plentiful which made for a great business and food source in the 1800’s. Harvesting created jobs during the Great Depression, even when there were not many. Today, oyster roasts are extremely popular in the Low Country and even at some Thanksgiving tables!

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