Some of the best vacations you'll ever take over summer break will be in your own home state, without a doubt. From the mountains to the coast, there's something for everyone here in South Carolina! Let's take a look at some of the top road trip destinations here in our own backyard.

Hilton Head Island: Hilton Head is one of the top beach destinations in the country, and it happens to be closer to you than you think! The island is full of parks and trails to explore for nature lovers. There's also plenty of sand and surf to enjoy, dolphin watch tours, and opportunities to check out the panoramic views offered by the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse.

Charleston: This quaint oceanfront town is a top destination for history buffs. Charleston is chock full of historic homes and buildings to admire and explore. Civil War historians will find plenty to see at Fort Sumter and beyond. More into the scary side of things? Local ghost tours take you through eerie landmarks, such as battlefields and pirate forts. No matter what you do, you'll need to make sure you take time to explore the City Market and enjoy some excellent local cuisine at one of many Charleston hot spots.

Myrtle Beach: This is the first spot everyone thinks of when it comes to planning a road trip in SC. Myrtle Beach has plenty of fun things to see and do for all members of the family. Theme parks, haunted houses, beaches, gardens, a zoo, and even a castle(!) are all waiting for you here. For the big kids, there's plenty of vibrant night life to take in.

Greenville: Looking for a getaway to the mountains? Greenville is the place you're looking for. This beautiful city features a route to part of the Blue Ridge in the Northeast, giving you access to waterfalls and trails. After a full day of exploring the natural wonders Greenville has to offer, there are plenty of breweries and restaurants - excellent places to kick back and relax!

One of the hottest places you can be in the middle of the day isn't on the sand or on the pavement, it's in your car. The longer the sun beats down on your ride, the more the inside of it becomes an oven. There's good news, though: you can prevent this from happening! Here are a few ways you can cool your car down on the hottest days.

Stay in the Shade: This is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep the inside of your car from becoming a broiler. If you can find a place in the shade to park your vehicle, it'll make a big difference in your car's temperature. For the best result, make sure your windshield and most of the glass on your vehicle are in the shade.

Crack Your Windows: Cracking your windows even the slightest bit can keep heat from getting trapped in your car. We offer this tip with a bit of caution, though. Keeping your windows cracked can be an open invitation for thieves to take the valuables in your vehicle, or your vehicle itself. Only crack your windows if you know the area and you feel that it's safe to do so.

Crank the A/C: While not the most cost-effective way to keep your vehicle cool, it's probably the easiest. Starting your vehicle up and letting the A/C run for a bit won't miraculously turn it into an icebox, but it will make a slight difference. If you have a vehicle with remote start, it makes this step much easier!

Get a Sunshade or a Car Cover: Honestly, you really couldn't go wrong with buying both! Sunshades, window shades, and car covers can all help keep your vehicle cool inside as the temperatures rise outside. Mylar shades and fitted car covers yield the best results, but any kind of shield from the sun's rays is better than none.

Energy bills tend to skyrocket during the summer. HVAC and air conditioner usage plays a major role in those rising costs, but there are other factors driving energy bills up as well. Below, you'll find our top ten tips to help you conserve energy - and save big on energy bills - this summer.

1: Buy and install a Smart thermometer to help precool your home.   

2: Use a dehumidifier in your home to help reduce summertime humidity.  

3: Treat your windows to help keep heat out.

4: Run dishwashers, washers, and dryers outside of peak hours 

    (usually 2-6pm) 

5: Give your central air system or air conditioner a tune up.

6: Replace your heat pump filters at least once per quarter.

7: Consider investing in Energy Star-rated appliances.

8: Use power strips and smart plugs.

9: Use LED lights to help reduce energy usage and extra heat in the home.

There are few better sources for gardening info than the Almanac! Here are a few quick suggestions for creating a great garden from this time-tested source.

• Use safe insect control measures to protect your garden from pests.
• Mow your lawn to recommended heights by grass type.
• Finish pruning spring-flowering trees and shrubs shortly after they bloom.
• Lay plenty of mulch to help retain moisture during dry spells.
• Prepare thoroughly for hurricane season.
• Lay mulch between your garden rows to help control soil temperature and moisture levels.
• Check plants regularly for diseases and insects and treat when necessary.
• Water your plants early in the morning (optimally before sunrise), and make sure to water deep.
• Maintain a healthy lawn by mowing, watering, and fertilizing it regularly. It's best to fertilize with control-released nitrogen.

Gardening is both an art and a science. It takes creativity, an eye for detail, and an innate awareness of the conditions in your area to yield proper crops and plants. In South Carolina, especially here on the coast, a little help goes a long way toward helping your garden grow. Let's take a look at five top tips for creating a beautiful South Carolina garden.

1: Don't Ignore the Power of Proper Watering  Growing plants, especially vegetables, need all the water they can get. Many of the plants in your garden need up to an inch of water per week to thrive. They also want you to water as deep as you can, right at the base at least twice a week to allow the roots to drink up as much water as possible. A daily spritz of the leaves of your plants does your garden no good. 

2: Drop Some Mulch and Compost  Mulch is very beneficial to the plants in your garden. It retains moisture and keeps the soil cool, which is crucial as our weather begins to heat up this time of year. Mulch also keeps weeds at bay and helps prevent plant disease. Composting is just as beneficial, as it gives your plants the nutrients they need to thrive. Mulching and composting together can make a huge difference for your garden! 

3: Know When to Fertilize  Fertilizer can be great for many plants. It can also be detrimental to the growth of others. Read up on which plants need fertilizer to thrive and which plants can go without it, as knowing will help you keep your garden healthy.

4: Add Some Flowers to Your Garden  Flowers are a beautiful addition to any garden, as we all know. However, did you know that they also have their ways of keeping flowers safe from insects that will destroy them? Certain flowers draw pollinating insects that eat intrusive pests. All the more reason to add those zinnias you've been eyeing at the nursery!

5: Know When to Plant  Proper plant growth depends heavily on when you begin planting your seeds. Clusters of states are divided into zones, all of which give "deadlines" of sorts for planting your garden. In Horry County, we're in Zone 8B, which means we were able to start planting many of our crops indoors as early as mid-February. In order to know when to start your garden for best results, search for more information on Zone 8B to discover optimal time ranges.