| From my sister, who lives in Charlotte:
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Because the vacation destination is Myrtle Beach, I think we have the
not-uncommon confusion of Charlotte with Charleston. (Part of that
deadly, confusing triangle: Charlotte, Charlottesville, and
Charleston.) As a current Charlottean, I'm not offended. Not one
person in a thousand around here could distinguish between Lexington
and Concord; they think it's Lexington&Concord.
The reason I'm leaping to this conclusion is 1) Charlotte is a
five-hour drive from Myrtle Beach and way off the sightseeing agenda
for people who go to the beach, and 2) Charlotte doesn't have any
mansions worth touring by bus (or any buses to tour them, for that
matter). Being a city of commerce and industry since its inception,
the motto is, "Why keep it, when you can tear it down and build
something new?" We do have Big Houses. But all these have been built
since about 1985 when the Northern money moved south and found out how
cheap it was to own LOTS of land here. They're the usual stucco,
pseudo-Le Petit Trianon mansions built by the rich from Chatsworth, CA
to Atlanta, GA. I do exaggerate, but I truly cannot imagine anyone
touring the "mansions" of Charlotte by bus. (Mill villages and southern
vernacular architecture are a whole 'nuther story, and well worth
touring, but that doesn't seem to be the topic here.)
I know that people tour Charleston's 18th and 19th century homes all
the time. The place is an architectural historian's dream. As you
know, the Spring house-and-garden tour is famous. (But occurs in March
- April.) And Charleston is a short day-trip from Myrtle Beach. I
suspect this is what would interest your co-worker. The Charleston
Chamber of Commerce would be one place to start. Also, there may be
"back country" plantation tours in Horry and Georgetown counties.
Hurricane Hugo really tore up that part of the state and may have taken
a number of plantation houses with it. (McClellanville was a famous
casualty.) It's worth asking the Chamber about low-country plantation
tours. I hear there's one that takes you by boat up the inland
waterway (or used to be, pre-Hugo).
The true test of one's determination to relocate south is not in Myrtle
Beach or even Charleston, but in a high-noon tour of Brookgreen Gardens
at the height of summer. Preferably August, but since she's going in
June, she may get a good taste of the climate, flora, and fauna anyway.
(Are insects fauna?) As a gesture of southern hospitality, you might
pass along the time-tested, folk-approved preparation for the trip:
Avon Skin-So-Soft. Cheaper and more effective than Off!, with a
pleasant aroma which will distinguish you as a true native (or friend
of one).
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Hi Gail!
I had a friend just come back from Myrtle Beach and they felt it
was rather commercialized. Lots of skyscraper hotels, traffic jams at
3 am., it's very touristy. If you guys like golf and the beach then I
guess it's fine. My hubby and drove through a few years ago, but didn't
spend a lot of time there, so I can't really help there.
But if it's houses and gardens you like, keep driving south.The old
house tours I remember best were in Charleston. That city
was incredible! All the walking tours of the historical district were
easy to do on foot, although they did have horse drawn buggies too. The
food was fabulous, all the local famous dishes. It was great to eat
outside in early April in the garden of a lush cafe, it was so warm.
And yes, even in early April, a walk through Brookgreen will wilt us
northerners. It is definately worth seeing if you like gardens. There
are a number of plantations all along that area which we did in a day's
drive. There were quaint period inns to stay in as well. It was very
nice indeed.
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| Thanks Denise and thanks (to your sister) Dick.
I stand corrected! Thanks for pointing out our correct destination,
which is indeed Charleston. I'll check the web for more info from
the Charleston Chamber of Commerce.
In making my decision on places I might like to live someday, some
states were ruled out because of earthquakes, smog, distance from N.E.
(California), humidity, lack of jobs in my field (Florida), etc. The
Carolinas' are close enough to visit N.E. (more often), the weather is
mild (no need for 2 separate wardrobes, 2 sets of tires for the car,
etc.).
But I *do* realize that no place is perfect (well Hawaii, maybe)! 8-)
So I appreciate hearing about the bad as well as the good points.
Now, about the insect population. I imagine, like us, you have ticks,
mosquitos, black flies? All my favorites! Not a problem though, my
friend has the Skin-So-Soft, so I think we are all ready - for a week,
anyway!
Gail
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