America is a truly unique country when it comes to travel options. Many foreign visitors are surprised by the sheer size and variety of experiences found in the states. However, those of us that live in the US often go our whole lives only seeing a small fraction of the country. With so much space in the middle, it is easier to start with the larger, more famous cities found on our coasts. Since we are already near the eastern side of the equation here in Acadia, we should turn our attention westward to the Pacific coast. While Washington and Oregon have plenty to offer, it is impossible to ignore California. Spanning two-thirds of the western sea board, California is the third largest land area and most populous state in the union. It is basically impossible to see all the state has to offer in one visit, so it is better to focus on one area to start. For many travelers with California on the brain, the first thing that jumps to mind is Hollywood, the home of the stars in Los Angeles.

Californians have a reputation of being laid back, living life at a slower pace. One visit to LA will show you the cause: the traffic. It takes at least 30 minutes to an hour to get anywhere around LA because most of your travel time is spent on one of the main highways; that is why Californians refer to them as “The 405” or “The 101.” Once you relegate yourself to this fact of life, though, it is fairly easy to plan around and stay relaxed. When you do make it off of the highway, the various cities that make up the greater LA area are dominated by long boulevards that stretch from one side of the valley to the other. This makes it fairly easy to actually get around a given area; the trick is getting there first.

It is easy to tell when you are in Hollywood because of the famous sign overlooking the valley. It is hard to resist a trip down the Walk of Fame to find the footprints of your favorite stars of the movie or music variety. Nestled in the hills is the Hollywood Bowl, one of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world. If you have a chance to see a show there, take it. There is not a bad seat in the house because the natural acoustics carry the sound all the way to the back rows, and the bowl shape gives everyone a direct view of the stage. Nearby, you can drive through the neighborhoods in Beverly Hills. There are several vantage points that offer stunning views of the valleys on either side of the mountains, as well as the often stunning homes found on the drive up. These famous neighborhoods, along with Bel-Air, Silver Lake, and several others, are connected by Sunset Boulevard, which runs from Downtown LA to the Pacific coast.

Once you are able to break yourself away from the staggering amount of sightseeing, shopping, and eating opportunities in LA, you can quickly find even more in the surrounding areas. Burbank is the home of several major studios, most notably Warner Bros. Entertainment. If you sign up in time, you can get free tickets to a tapping of some of your favorite shows, such as Conan O’Brian. Two great coastal options are Venice Beach and Santa Monica. The Venice Beach boardwalk is a mecca for bodybuilders, street basketballers, and souvenir shoppers. At one end of the boardwalk is the famous Muscle Beach and several basketball, paddle tennis, and volleyball courts. The rest of the promenade is dominated by vendors of every stripe selling kitschy t-shirts, jewelry, artwork, and other good, along with musicians and performers surrounded by spectators. Santa Monica, located at the end of Route 66, is known for its eponymous pier, featuring amusement park rides, snacks, and even more souvenirs. It also offers a beautiful view of the California coast overlooked by an impressive mountain range that almost seems to touch the water’s edge.

If you are excited about the prospect of traveling west, please visit the Acadia Travel Concierge here for options to customize your experience.

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Acadians are an active bunch, constantly planning exciting events at our many amenities. Still, as much as the neighborhood and Greenville at large have to offer, it’s sometimes nice to range farther afield. The key to an ideal vacation is proper planning, which is why we are fortunate to have our own Acadia Travel Concierge. Ray Ramage, a lifelong friend of the Freeman family, is a true travel expert with over 20 years of professional experience. Acadian residents and lot owners are invited to join Ray and his wife Laura this Saturday the 12th at 6:30 PM for a relaxing wine and cheese tasting hosted by our own Mary Freeman at 1 Kellers Gate Court.

While Mr. Ramage is equipped to plan any vacation you could think of, the specific topic of conversation is the exciting Backroads program. Backroads is focused on a more exciting, active travel style. While there should still be plenty of wining and dining, you’ll be able to burn off the calories and explore a different side of a new country by biking, hiking, kayaking, or snowshoeing through the path less traveled.

Please join us tomorrow Saturday, November 12th and experience a wonderful atmosphere while learning about this exciting new program. To learn more about the Acadia Travel Concierge, visit there site here.

After a long three months of working on some new projects, our blog will be returning to its regular series schedule for Tuesdays and Thursdays. We apologize for the lack of content for the past three months, but we have been working on some great new products here in Acadia. We thank you all for tuning into our blog each week for continual updates about Acadia, and can’t wait to show you what we have rolling out next!

During the weekend, most of us feel the craving for breakfast food, something which is impossible to get when the weekend generally offers us the only chance to sleep in. Not so with Passerelle Bistro in Downtown Greenville. The newest in the line of Table 301 restaurants in Downtown Greenville, Passerelle Bistro offers a fusion of French influenced local cuisine. Passerelle is located at the heart of Falls Park, offering a spectacular view of both Falls Park and Liberty Bridge.

On Saturday and Sunday, Passerelle delivers a full brunch menu from 10 am to 3 pm, a menu which encompasses everything from their Ham and Arugula Omelette to their Ratatouille Baguette. The perfect combination of breakfast and lunch, Passerelle is sure to please even the most selective of palates.

To see the different menus, foods and events that Passerelle has to partake in, visit them at their website here, and be sure to check us out every Thursday for our Acadian Discoveries series.

Greenville pole vaulter Sandi Morris floats through the air, approaching a bar set 15 feet, 11 inches in the air. Morris cleared the bar and finished in second place at the 2016 IAFF World Indoor Championships in Portland, Ore. [CREDIT: Wilder]

Greenville pole vaulter Sandi Morris poses for the cameras and displays the silver medal she won at the at the 2016 IAFF World Indoor Championships in Portland, Ore. Morris cleared a height of 15 feet, 11 inches for the second-place finish. [CREDIT: Wilder]

Greenville pole vaulter Sandi Morris displays the American flag after finishing in second place at the 2016 IAFF World Indoor Championships in Portland, Ore. It was her second time competing in a world championship. [CREDIT: Wilder]

Acadia has an Olympian! Pole vaulter Sandi Morris will be representing the United States in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Congratulations to Sandi and the entire Morris family. You make the Acadia Community proud, and truly display the diversity of families that live in Acadia!

Visit the Greenville Journal article here, to learn more about Sandi Morris’ road to Rio.

One of the perks of living in upstate South Carolina is the bevy of lakes within striking distance. As hot as the summers can get, we frequently take advantage of this fact. While there are many lakes to choose from, the top three contenders around Greenville are Lake Keowee, Lake Jocasse, and Lake Hartwell. Lake Keowee is about 45 minutes away, just past Clemson. Like many of our lakes, including Jocasse and Hartwell, Keowee is a man-made reservoir used to generate hydroelectric energy. Spanning nearly 29 square miles, it offers plenty of room for all of your boating needs. Be sure to ask around about the Jumping Rock located somewhere towards the middle of the lake. Lake Jocasse, located about an hour away from Greenville, covers just shy of 12 square miles, but what it lacks in breadth, it more than makes up for with depth. It was created by flooding a large valley, reaching a maximum depth of 300 feet. If you are a trained scuba diver, you’ll be able to hone your craft without driving 4 hours to the ocean. Obviously, less experienced swimmers should stay closer to shore.

Lake Hartwell holds a special appeal for us Acadians. For one, it is the closest lake, only 25-30 minutes away on the edge of Anderson. More telling, though, is the fact that Portman Marina is owned by David Freeman, the brother of Acadia’s founder and developer, Caleb Freeman. Fortunately, the lake and marina are excellent in their own rights, nepotism aside. Hartwell spans 87.5 square miles, stretching from South Carolina to Georgia. After a long day on the water, Portman Marina offers two fantastic restaurants to choose from. The Galley is its oldest establishment, offering a wide array of surf and turf, as well as a wood fire oven. However, the Freeman family’s personal favorite is Nami, Portman’s Asian bistro. Run by head chef Fukahara, Nami provides the absolute best sushi in the upstate, along with equally delicious entrees and small dishes. Definitely try their gyoza, tempura, and Dynamite Yaki. To finish off your evening, you can fuel the fires of the Crème Brule recipe war between The Galley and Nami. They are both quite nice, so even if you can’t decide which is your favorite, you’ll be the real winner.

To learn more about the array of lakes around the Upstate, visit the listings on the State Park Map here, or visit the Hartwell, Jocassee and Keowee sites. Be sure to tune into the Acadia Community Blog every Thursday to learn more about the wonderful adventures all around us.

Neighborhood children gearing up for the July 4th Parade through Acadia.

Neighborhood children gearing up for the July 4th Parade through Acadia.

Neighborhood children gearing up for the July 4th Parade through Acadia.

As always, Acadia enjoyed another fantastic Fourth of July bash yesterday. Most of the day was spent around the pool to help escape the summer heat. There was an impressive flotilla of inflatable creatures on display along with plenty of other pool toys. A fierce clash of wills and manual dexterity was found around the appropriately stars-and-stripes themed cornhole set, as well as an intense water polo match. Of course, we had to keep our energy up for all the festivities.

The neighbors pulled out all the stops to keep the crowd fed throughout the day. We of course enjoyed the usual grill fare- hot dogs, hamburgers, and bbq chicken- but there was also rarer treats to be had, such as a refreshing couscous mix featuring avocado, corn, and strawberries. Sadly, the desert table did not survive the day. As is tradition, we ended the evening with our fireworks show. While there are certainly larger shows out there, we pride ourselves on lighting as many incendiary devices as possible without requiring a license. While there is still plenty of summer fun to be had, we are already looking forward to next year for more explosively entertaining Americana.

Community centered events such as this are what keep more and more people joining the Acadia Community. To learn more about Acadia and to join in all of the festivities, visit us at our website here, and set up a tour to discover life in balance for yourself.

Charleston is South Carolina’s oldest city and a premiere tourist destination. It is always a good idea to head towards the wind and waves of the coast to combat the summer sun, but Charleston is a treat any time of the year. The colonial history of the city itself is a draw for many people with the Charleston Museum an obvious starting point. You can also explore the city itself to find the Charleston Market, the Dock Street Theater, and more. Fort Sumter is also within striking distance, where the opening shots of the Civil War were fired. Of course, it is always nice to take a bike and simply explore the architectural sights of the city at large, such as the famous row houses of Rainbow Row on Tradd Street.

Art is a central pillar of Charleston’s culture. The city boasts several excellent museums, such as the Gibbes Museum of Art. The College of Charleston is home to the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, which houses its own exhibits. You can also find exquisitely hand-crafted reed baskets from the Gullah culture, a unique blend of Southern and West African influences found only on the coast of South Carolina. The most well-known artistic attraction in the city, though, is the annual Spoleto Festival. Founded in 1977, this 17 day festival showcases a breathtaking variety of opera, jazz, classical music, dance, and theater. Since 1979, it has also included Piccolo Spoleto, a companion festival which focuses on local and regional artists of all stripes.

With so much to take in, it is important to keep your energy up. Fortunately, Charleston has a fantastic food scene. From the steaks at Hall’s Chophouse to the Southern-flavored fine dining of Husk, there is something for everyone. Considering the coastal setting, it is no surprise that you can find delicious seafood in abundance. 167 Raw is a prime choice for all of your nautical needs, but there are countless other options that are sure to please. One of Charleston’s more hidden gems, though, is Xiao Bao Biscuit. Found in a cleverly renovated gas station, this restaurant provides an excellent selection of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and other Asian dishes. You can find many options that faithfully hold to their cultural roots as well as delicious fusions. To top it all off, order one of their expertly crafted cocktails to finish the night on top.

To learn more about Charleston, and to see all of the wonderful things that this beautiful city has to offer, visit their travel information website here, and be sure to check the Acadia Community Blog every Thursday to learn more about the wonderful adventures all around us.

Acadia is a truly special community because of our abundance of protected parks and nature trails. In fact, a third of our 354 acres is preserved as such. With over 100 acres of green space to explore, there is always something new to enjoy. Many neighbors already enjoy the extensive trail system that follows either edge of Hunters Creek, which flows into the Saluda River. However, there is a hidden gem upstream.

As you pass through a perpetually shaded clearing hidden beneath the trees to the left of our Chapel Bridge, you will come to a path. Following it carefully across the creek using the stepping stones, you will arrive at Indian Rock. Indian Rock earned its name from the discovery of several arrowheads around the site. This beautiful, moss covered rock formation is found right next to a small waterfall. There is also a small band of walking trails near Indian Rock, so be sure to check out all the unique areas of Acadia. You may even find an arrowhead for yourself, so keep your eyes peeled.

To learn more about the abundance of natural and man-made amenities in Acadia, visit our website here and discover Life in Balance, for yourself.

The Smoky Mountains of Tennessee provide a haven of activities for both couples’ getaways and family adventures. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are twin cities of entertainment, with Gatlinburg providing more for visiting couples and Pigeon Forge attracting families to its exciting theme parks. Driving to the cities themselves is a treasure, allowing you to witness the beautiful scenic areas just off the highway, as well as the soaring Blue Ridge Mountain Range.

Gatlinburg is the first city you will come to on your journey, as it is the gateway to Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg is a popular tourism town, with Ober Gatlinburg drawing skiers to the only ski resort in Tennessee. With 8 slopes, 3 chair lifts and an abundance of wildlife, Ober Gatlinburg is the perfect resort for any level of skier. As you move in to the town center, you will see the wide variety of man-made attractions. The Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies provides a unique mix of animals and activities for the entire family. Waddling with penguins, splashing with the rays and even sleeping with sharks are just some of the unique opportunities that this aquarium provides. As well as skiing and seeing the beautiful assortment of fish, Gatlinburg also offers several unique shopping opportunities from the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts loop to the Mountain Mall.

Continuing along on your journey, we will drive down the road to our next destination: Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge is the ultimate family activity center, mainly centered around it’s iconic theme park, Dollywood. Dollywood, originally “Rebel Railroad”, has had many names over the years, culminating in “Dollywood”, when the actress and singer bought in an investment in 1986. The park has a wonderful mix of rides, all revolving around the “War of Northern Aggression” theme. This southern theme park houses 8 roller coasters, ranging from “kiddie” to “adult”, and is broken in to 10 mini villages, each with their own niche. Along with Dollywood, Pigeon Forge houses many arcades, concert venues, and restaurants. One of the most popular “dinner and a show” type venues is Dixie Stampede. Also owned by Dolly Parton, this restaurant/theatre is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Opening with an introduction from Dolly Parton herself, the true beauty of this venue is it’s simplicity. The menu offers a four-course meal with a soup to start, the choice of 2 entrees, 2 default sides, 2 choices for desserts, a choice of water, tea or coke, and no silverware. Thats right, no silverware, dinner is eaten by hand! As well as dinner, you also witness a spectacular blend of comedy and intense action in the rodeo style show, as your main event.

This variety, this spectacular blend of activities, is the reason that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are two of the most visited tourist destinations in the US. To discover all of the adventures that you can get in to on your visit, go to the Gatlinburg City website here. Be sure to visit these beautiful and fun cities, and experience all of the magnificent things that they have to offer. Also, visit the Acadia Community Blog every Thursday to learn more about the wonderful adventures in the Southeast.