If you’re in one of our SC vacation rentals, keep an eye peeled for loggerheads, because they’re out there. And if you’re in a luxury house on the Isle of Palms, you’ll have a chance to see five of them up close and heading back to the wild. First up, as a follow up to this BLOG about loggerhead turtle nests and our beach rentals Charleston, the state’s very first nest of the season has been laid. It happened in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, just north of our Isle of Palms vacation rentals. Biologists are hoping for a good year, coming on the heels of 2015 which saw record numbers of loggerhead nests - over 5,000 of them. Department of Natural Resources biologist and sea turtle program coordinator Michelle Pate had this to say: "Due to unseasonably warm water temperatures over the winter, it was no surprise when sea turtles were spotted in our waters in early March. We were expecting an early start to nesting and are looking forward to another successful year.” Here’s more on the story: http://abcnews4.com/news/local/first-sea-turtle-nest-of-the-season-reported-in-south-carolina-05-06-2016 Also, the turtle hospital recently rescued a gigantic - 440 pound - rare leatherback turtle in the marshes near Folly Beach. She is undergoing treatment and is expected to be released soon. Leatherbacks are rarely seen and are the largest of the seven species of sea turtles. They can grow to more than six feet in length and can weigh 2,000 pounds. And speaking of turtle releases - the hospital is having its first turtle release of the season THIS AFTERNOON at 4:30 p.m. on the Isle of Palms. In fact, they will be releasing FIVE of them… Boyles, Discovery, Reece, Chaz, and Quincy. This brings to 187 the total number of turtles successfully rehabilitated and released by the Sea Turtle Rescue Program. Crowds tend to be massive for these turtle releases, so if you want to go, you’d best get there early. Here’s more from Live 5 News: http://www.live5news.com/story/31908626/first-public-sea-turtle-release-taking-place-at-isle-of-palms 
Shaggin’ on the Cooper near our SC vacation rentals...
It’s the quintessential Carolina - and coastal - dance… and it’s that time of the year where you can shag with the locals at a supremely scenic spot. After all, what’s a trip to one of our SC vacation rentals, especially a beach house Charleston, without doing the official STATE DANCE OF SOUTH CAROLINA? BTW, the Shag became officially designated as such in 1984. It’s time again for the annual Shaggin’ on the Cooper dance series, which officially kicked off for the summer season in April with the Hot Pepper Band. It takes place at the pier at Waterfront Memorial Park, underneath the Ravenel Bridge on the Mount Pleasant side of the Cooper River. The event is sponsored by the awesome folks at Charleston County Parks and Rec, and it’s a whole lot of fun. It takes place on Saturday evenings during the summer months, so you can shag as the sun sets over Charleston. Gates open at 7:00 p.m. and the music begins at 8:00 p.m. The park is a convenient drive from all our luxury beach house rentals SC, and is east of the Cooper River just like our all our Isle of Palms luxury rentals are. From Charleston beach house, head toward downtown Charleston and you’ll find the park just before you get to the big bridge. Here are the dates and musical lineup for the summer:
- May 14, The Shem Creek Boogie Band
- June 13, The Sugarbees
- July 16, Recollections
- August 13, Vinyl Daze
- September 10, The Sneakers
Tickets are just $10 and often sell out fast. Here’s a link to the site with more info and where you can buy tickets online: http://ccprc.com/1175/Shaggin-on-the-Cooper Food and beverages will also be available for purchase. This is a wholesome event perfect for many ages staying in your Charleston beach house. 
There is a similar series happening out on Folly Beach at the Folly Beach Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier. It’s Moonlight Mixers that kick off later this month. These are especially convenient if you’re staying in Folly Beach house rentals Charleston SC. Here’s more info: 2016 Dates: May 27, June 17, July 22, August 19, and September 16 Event Details:
- Event hours: 7-11 p.m.
- Beverages will be available for purchase on site. ID is required to purchase alcohol.
- Food and snacks will be available for purchase at Locklear’s Beach City Grill and the Gangplank Gift & Tackle Shop located at the entrance to the pier.
- No refunds or exchanges.
- Food, beverage, and any parking fees are not included in price.
- Rain dates are the following Saturday night.
- To minimize sway and preserve the structural integrity of the pier, line dancing is not allowed at the Moonlight Mixers.
- Online registration will not be available after midnight on the Thursday before each event. On the day of the event, admission can be purchased by calling 843-795-4386 or at the event gate.
Here’s a link to the webpage for this series of events, including online ticket purchases: http://ccprc.com/1618/Moonlight-Mixers When you’re looking for rental homes South Carolina, especially on the Isle of Palms, contact EP. Our SC vacation rentals are the very best around. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger
Photo credit: CCPRC