Back to Myrtle Beach
Darryl February 17th, 2009
In the vehicle by 9 in the morning, we were headed back north for the wrap-up of some dental work started in January before moving south to Florida.
Georgetown South Carolina, about four hours down the road from was our first destination, a short stop-over on the six hour trip. The town is one of the oldest in South Carolina, and we wanted to experience some of its history.
Like most of the older settlements along the east coast of the US, Georgetown was a river town. After checking in at the visitor centre, we started by walking in the cold wind along the shops of Front Street, running parallel to the wide river.
It didn’t take long to become apparent that the town is somewhat ravaged by the recent changes in the economy, with every third or fourth storefront closed. Further upstream along the River that backdrops Georgetown, the steel mill still operates, rail cars from Canada and other iron ore production areas lining the plant.
A museum shop revealed some rice measures from the mid nineteenth century, a reminder that rice built Georgetown. Another gallery held the remaining works of Alvin Outlaw, barber and artist, who worked in wood-carvings, oil, and pencil. He had passed on a few years previous, and his wife told his story with great affection.
The historic area of sixty or so pre-1800 homes revealed the beginnings of the town, the guide map giving a terse one-line description of each. We toured the original neighbourhood before heading off down Highway 17 for the last hour or so of our trip.
When Nancy and I were living at Longs, just west of the beaches area, it had taken us the longest time to get to the shoreline. Whether it was the fact that we had lived on an island with arguably the best beaches in the world, or whether it was the spectre of seeing hordes of tourists, our feelings had kept us away.
Finally some two months after settling in the area, we finally made it to Cherry Grove Beach, to find a wonderful wide expanse of sand, with almost no others on it.
Now we were back, and this time, staying at Avista, a North Myrtle Beach condo hotel overlooking the Atlantic and a broad expanse of ocean.
It seems we have discovered a bit of a gem, very comfortable, and well-priced, both the room and the restaurant services.