A Road Well Traveled

On the occasion of spending the last few days on the boat while it's still docked in Myrtle Beach at Grande Dunes Marina, I thought I would document for posterity the landmarks I always look for on this trip that I have made at least 25 times in the past year. (Sidenote: this is the BEST route to get to Myrtle Beach from Charlotte!)

I didn't start taking pictures until after I was about 45 minutes underway. The route I take from the house starts on I-485 to Highway 218, or as my Mom calls it, "that damn 218" - which, without fail, always goes through my mind when I'm getting on that road. A lot in the same way whenever I am coming home from a trip I always think about what she always said on our way home from a trip when I was a kid, "well, I hope the house is still standing...". Anyhow, 218 is a curvy road and I guess she always hit it after dark or in the rain.

From 218 turn right on Highway 601 South. Follow 601 into Monroe (go ahead and say it like a native: MUN-row). Take the exit onto Highway 74 East for about 4 miles, then get in the right hand lane AFTER Carolinas Medical Center Union, otherwise you end up in their parking lot.

At this point, I believe you're on 601 again. Take 601 South for about an hour and some change. You will cross into South Carolina on the outskirts of Pageland. While you're there, stop for a $.99 Cold Beer at the Thank Ya Now! Saloon across from the Wal-Mart distribution center. The first of my major landmarks, although I've never actually stopped for a Beer at Thank Ya Now!, I've always wanted to.



In the heart of Pageland you have a choice: take Highway 9 - which, after 50 small towns and equally as many 25 mph zones, you will arrive in N.Myrtle Beach in approximately 4.5 hours. OR you can continue on my route and keep going straight.



Somewhere around here 601 has become Highway 151. Welcome to the south, where roads change names often and without notice. So we'll continue on 151 to our next town, Jefferson. On the right we'll see the Conbraco Plant, which is a shiny factory that manufactures brass foundry components. I didn't know this until just now when I googled it, but the Conbraco plant is a landmark because it sits there like a fortress surrounded by a seemingly out of place cast iron fence. There are always geese or ducks on their grounds enjoying the pond out front, so maybe the fence is there to keep the water fowl from getting hit by cars.



Then you'll drive through a bit of country... notice that it's still pretty hilly. This is what's called the "sand hills" part of the Piedmont of the Carolinas.



Start slowing down, because we're passing through Jefferson next. A notorius speed trap for beach-goers, this one cow town has a "General Store" that I've never, not once, seen more than 2 cars there. Ever. half the time it doesn't even appear to be open.



Another 10 minutes or so and we begin our approach to McBee, SC. Uh, that's MAC (like Mac-caroni and cheese) -BEE ... MAC-BEE for non-natives. You'll know you're getting close when you spot the interesting water tower:


That's Alligator Water. It's the name of their water utility in the area. What's with all the alligators lately??

Now if you didn't learn your lesson in Jefferson, you REALLY need to slow down in McBee. The ominous giant finger pointing directly at you - looming - reminding you to WATCH YOUR SPEED!



We quickly go from 60, to 50, to 35 (right about now, after passing the old house boat on a trailer that has been parked here for AT LEAST 2 years without ever moving...


...Til you get into town, where you then must slow down (you may opt to jump out and run alongside your car at this point) to 25.



There is CLEARLY so much activity in this town that warrants a 25 mph speed limit.



Once we get back up to 55, we soon come upon McLeod Farms. Now these folks definitely did not just fall off the turnip truck. Their marketing department is first rate - and I'm not even kidding. Each growing season they have big, bright, beautiful signs for miles in either direction alerting vacationers of what's in season on the farm, whether it's strawberries, peaches, blackberries or watermelon for sale in their spiffy road side gift shop. I was trying to take a picture of the peach orchards in full bloom, but was having trouble with my camera keeping up with my speed. But I still like the shot I got. The faint rainbow was a bonus!



Next up is Hartsville. We count the hospital as the official half-way mark, and we tend to stop just here for the cheapest gas on the entire route at the "Markette". I suppose they are fancier than your traditional "Market" because you can enjoy a Balogna, Egg and Cheese Biscuit while checking your email on their free Wi-Fi! NICE TOUCH! I'm really not making fun. They always have cheap gas and clean restrooms. They do a good job and I always appreciate it.



Shortly after Hartsville we transition into the greater Darlington area. Home of the world famous Darlington Dirt Track, Drag Strip and Raceway.



Now we're coming up to the most tricky part of our route. We'll take I-95 for only about 6 miles. But this is the confusing part. On this route, we'll go north to go south, or go south to go north. It's counter intuitive, but that's how you remember it. So when you see this sign, will you go towards Fayetteville or Savannah?



If you said Savannah, you'll have to turn around. So we're on 95 NORTH, and we'll get off on Highway 327, towards Florence and Marion. Lots of forks in the road on this trip. Keep right at most forks.



We'll take 327 until we get to 76/301/501 - about 4 miles to the major intersection. Turn left at the light, and continue towards Marion. Pass Francis Marion University. Traffic will speed up significantly when you get to the bridges. Enjoy it, besides 95, this is probably the fastest you'll go.



Then pass "the town in the middle of the road". I have no idea what it's really called, maybe "Midway"?



Moving on, there's a fork in the road at the Beneteau boat factory, makers of some of the finest sailboats and now, powerboats, in the world.



Then of course there's SPARKY'S! Fireworks & Gift Shop. Here you can stop for gas and and ice cream cone, a hermit crab, a Dixie flag, and any number of redneck bumper stickers, t-shirts, belt buckles and beer coozies. I've been inside once - out of pure curiosity. The place stinks like dirty hermit crab cages throughout. I was greatly disappointed.



The last leg of the trip is on 501 through a town called Aynor - which makes me think of "anal" every time I pass through it. Yuckeroo. Then onto Highway 22, which ends up right in Myrtle Beach.



There are a couple of miles where all you see are the charred trees from the April forest fire, but I'm happy to report that the ground cover has already come back in a bright, healthy green.


By the way, that's a bug smear on my windshield, not a random plume of smoke.

Following Highway 17 past restaurant row and our favorite All-U-Can-Eat buffet "The Original Benjamin's" where you're met at the door by an imposing pirate, then seated among hundreds of tourists getting their $25 worth of crab legs and fried seafood. It's actually pretty good food, and their hush puppies are TO DIE FOR.



Then at last we arrive at Grande Dunes and the Marina Inn, down the hill, past Ruth's Chris, and into the parking lot in front of "C Dock". Without fail, it always made my heart pound to arrive at the dock. It's an overwhelming joy. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.