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CARTA Brings Free Shuttle From Mount Pleasant to Isle of Palms

With recent changes to the parking regulations along Isle of Palms, a new shuttle service is offering a free and easy way to get to the beach.

CARTA is now offering a free beach shuttle service from Mount Pleasant to Isle of Palms. The shuttle will run on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm from now until October 18th. 

The shuttle service departs every hour from the Charleston County East Cooper Service Center, stopping at both 14th Ave. at Ocean Blvd. and Palm Blvd. at 28th Ave. 

While this is a great way for people to enjoy our beautiful beaches and current fall weather, there are some rules and regulations that shuttle users need to be aware of. Most notably, you are required to wear a mask or face covering at all times while you are on the shuttle. There’s also a limit on the type and number of items you are allowed to bring with you aboard the shuttle.

Download the app to see where the shuttle is at all times and effectively plan your next beach trip.

 

News

IOP Will Begin Implementing Public Parking Restrictions

The once free parking offered at Isle of Palms may no longer be available for beach go-ers come summer 2021. The choice to monetize parking came after COVID-19. IOP residents recently issued a temporary parking ban for non-residents along busy neighborhood streets. Now, public parking restrictions will impact weekday and weekend parking times.

Instead of the current 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the city is looking to enforce 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This time frame forces non-residents into a curfew. 

While during the Coronavirus pandemic, chairs, coolers, and umbrellas were no longer allowed, it seems the city is making more strides toward seclusion from non-residents. Parking violation charges increased by double as of May 30th for municipal parking lots. These designated public parking zones are subject to change. 

“The issue is the number of cars and parking, it’s not trying to restrict and limit people’s access to the beach,” said Councilmember Randy Bell. “We have an automobile problem. We don’t have the room to park as many that wish to come here.”

In order for next year’s changes to be made possible, a decision must be finalized no later than this August. For now, it seems things are headed toward stricter parking enforcement across the island.

Eat & Drink

Guide Day In Mount Pleasant

Your Guide To A Perfect Day In Mount Pleasant

Featured Image: Experience Mount Pleasant/Facebook

Just on the other side of Charleston, across the well-known Ravenel Bridge, is the town of Mount Pleasant. Whether you’re from the area and want to remember all the reasons why people are flocking to the coastal town or you’re a tourist looking to explore like a local, we’ve got you covered. Here’s your guide to exploring Mount Pleasant.

START THE DAY BY WALKING THE BRIDGE

Start your day off with a bit of exercise and a gorgeous view by walking the iconic Ravenel Bridge. The walking and biking path is 2.5 miles from one side to the other, but if you’re not up for walking the entire 5 miles back and forth, many people walk to the halfway point and turn back. Either way, you can take in the beauty that is the Charleston Harbor from above and even get a look at the USS Yorktown.

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The only upside to exercise is this view

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EXPLORE OLD VILLAGE

Dating back to the 18th century, Old Village is one of the area’s oldest waterfront communities. It was once a neighborhood for wealthy Charlestonians to retreat to during the summer, but now it’s home to a mix of people, families, and businesses. Visit Pitt Street to shop boutiques, like Out Of Hand, or stop by Rudi’s Old Village Wine Shop for a glass of wine. Then head down to Pitt Street Bridge to take in some SPECTACULAR views of the Charleston Harbor.

GRAB LUNCH AT SHEM CREEK

After working up an appetite with all the exploring you’ve done so far, head over to Shem Creek and grab a bite to eat. Shem Creek is home to some of the most picturesque views in Charleston and the best restaurants in Mount Pleasant. Try out Saltwater Cowboys for local seafood and BBQ, Tavern & Table for the BEST pimento cheese and oysters, or Water’s Edge for a variety of seafood and an extensive wine list.

SPEND THE AFTERNOON AT WATERFRONT PARK

Right around the corner from Shem Creek and at the base of the Ravenel Bridge you’ll find Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park. Here you can grab ice cream at River Watch Cafe, enjoy even more views of the Charleston Harbor, and walk along the 1,250-foot-long pier. You can also experience the local culture at the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion and go back in time at the War Memorial.

WATCH THE SUNSET AT THE BEACH

The good thing about Mount Pleasant is no matter where you are, it’s likely to be a beautiful sunset. But if you’re looking to enjoy the sun while taking in some ocean air and listening to the waves then head over to Isle of Palms or Sullivans Island and watch the sun set on your adventure-filled day.

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Good looks

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Of course, this is only a bit of what Mount Pleasant has to offer but enjoy, relax, and take in all the views.

News

Charleston Lands On Daily Mail’s 2019 List of Thrilling Destinations

Image Source: Canva

Charleston has landed itself on many “must visit” lists over the years and it’s now found itself on Daily Mail’s list of “Thrilling Destinations You Must Visit in 2019”. Charleston, referred to as “the city where old meets new” by Daily Mail, is the only United States destination on the short list. Other destinations on the list are Brazil, Japan, Australia, Anguilla, Madrid, and the UAE.

The publication calls out Charleston’s scenic views, walking tours, and beautiful waters as a few of the reasons to visit our beautiful city. Of course, Daily Mail also writes about the abundance of delicious seafood our city has to offer including oysters, fish, and crab. Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Drayton Hall were all listed as attractions you can’t miss while visiting, stating that Folly Beach and Isle of Palms are both great spots for “sports and family fun” while nothing that Drayton Hall is one of the oldest plantation houses in the country.

And, as British based Daily Mail points out, British Airways is launching direct flights from Heathrow to Charleston starting April 4, 2019. Get ready for more visits from our friends across the pond.

Where will they stay?

According to Daily Mail, The Dewberry Charleston where they can book their room and flights together on British Airways. 

Read the full Daily Mail list here.

New In Charleston

Meet The Three Great White Sharks Hanging Out Off The Coast Of South Carolina

Image Source: ABC.Net

Have you heard the news? South Carolina just got three new residents. Gray Lady, Jefferson, and Hal each made the long journey from the Northeast to the great state of South Carolina. Around the New Year, these three great white sharks made their way to the South Carolina coast, making it their temporary home.

Ocearch, a nonprofit organization leading research efforts around great white sharks and other large marine species, tracked each of them as they made their way through the dark depths of the ocean.

After leaving the Northeast region, all three great whites made their way down to Florida before heading back up north and taking up temporary residence in South Carolina. Grey Lady, originally from the Nantucket area, and Jefferson, hailing from the waters of Nova Scotia, are right below the Charleston coast. However, Hal, also joining us from Nova Scotia, traveled farther North for the New Year, hitting up Myrtle Beach.

Ocearch has tagged over 300 marine animals during their expeditions allowing you to watch the journey each of them makes as they travel the world.

While Grey Lady, Jefferson, and Hal are the only three tagged great whites off the coast of South Carolina, there are many other sharks hanging out off the coast, including three tiger sharks named Jax, Georgia, and Miss Michalove, and Norris, the hammerhead shark.

Additionally, with the recent arrival of our three new residents, we can bet there are more great whites coming into the area that aren’t tagged.

You can track the journey of all the tagged animals using Ocearch’s tracking map or keep up with each individual shark by following them on Twitter: @WhiteSharkHal, @GreyLadyShark, and @MissCostaShark.

Sometimes you can even catch a conversation between the sharks:

 

News

Mass JellyFish Stings on Isle of Palms

Featured Image Credit:Unsplash

Warm weather and calm water makes for the ideal beach setting but it also leads to some not so perfect traffic, crowded areas and lots of jellyfish to look out for. Recently, close to 300 people were stung by jellyfish this past weekend on Isle of Palms.

“There were just a lot of people out here, and the water was calm, and that’s why we had a lot of stings,” Laura Edwards, assistant manager of Isle of Palms County Park, told Fox 24. “I got stung in the leg and my son was stung in the arm,” said one of the victims, Todd Cattaneo. “It hurt for about thirty minutes and then it was okay after that.”

Caring for a jellyfish sting is pretty simple, but most people don’t go to the beach prepared with the necessary items. Next time you go to the beach come prepared with vinegar, water bottles, and tweezers. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry!  

After being stung by a jellyfish, follow these steps as quickly as possible:

  1. Thoroughly rinse the area with vinegar.
  2. Remove the tentacles while rinsing! The tentacles can continue to sting as long as they are in contact with skin, so glove up and get out your tweezers! No tweezers? Rub sand on the sting to remove the tentacles!
  3. Apply ice after. You should feel relief in about 30 minutes to an hour.

Even if you aren’t equipped with these items, it is still critical to remove the tentacles!

Irregardless to the amount of stings, many people were back out on the beach by Sunday- however, this time many visitors opted to stay on land.

“I’ll probably go out about halfway up my leg, but not all the way out, because of the jellyfish,” said Raven Flynn who was visiting the beach.

Read more from the source.