Murrells Inlet, Revisited

Home to the late Mickey Spillane (not to mention Lowcountry charm) and the backdrop for my book Fall in Eden/Autumn in Murrells Inlet, Murrells Inlet sits in unassuming bliss at the southern tip of Myrtle Beach's famous Grand Strand. This was our fourth visit to this overlooked city, and as in times past, we fell in love with this unique place just a little bit more.

Visitors to Murrells Inlet will notice a bevy of restaurants along Business Highway 17, and it would seem that, and a view to the inlet that provides the city with its name, is all there is to see. But hidden behind tall palm fronds and that ubiquitous Lowcountry moss are stately homes that help provide the area with a decidedly coastal flavor. Don't let that fool you--like Pawley's Island, Murrells Inlet is unpretentious and laid back. Consequently, homes for the rest of us do exist, though one wouldn't know it at first glance. The city extends west to the Horry County line, though where Murrells Inlet begins and ends, no one seems to know. I prefer it that way; it seems to add to the city's mystique.

If you find yourself in this area, you'll want to stop at one of the restaurants for a Po Boy, oysters, or a variety of other available seafood (this is after all, the Seafood Capital of South Carolina.) Hidden behind the restaurants is a scenic Marshwalk that overlooks the marshy inlet where Air Corp jump planes once flew--and sometimes crashed--and where pirates reportedly once sailed. At night, colored lights and fiery torches from the restaurants illuminate the wide walkway, and one can stroll along listening to music provided for outdoor diners as lights from Garden Point Beach shine across the dark water.

Murrells Inlet is located off Highway 17, south of Myrtle Beach, and just north of Litchfield. In addition to dining, outdoor water activities such as fishing, boat tours, and dolphin cruises are available.

If you would like to learn more about Murrells Inlet, I recommend the book Heaven is a Beautiful Place by Murrells Inlet resident, Genevieve Peterkin. She captures the flavor and history of the area with humor and love.

Just thinking about it makes me long to return.

Big Glassy Trail (Carl Sandburg Home)

It's been so long since I spent quality time with children, I had forgotten how much I like them. I remembered this past Saturday when my husband and I went hiking at the Carl Sandburg Home "Park" with a former co-worker and three of his iddy-biddy daughters.

There are three trails at the Sandburg Home: Big Glassy, Memminger, and Glassy Mountain. Andy (my former co-worker) suggested the one-mile round-trip Big Glassy hike for one very good reason--one of the old trailheads is literally in his parent's back yard.

I hadn't hiked with kids before and wasn't sure how a 2 yr, a 4 yr, and a 6 yr old could handle it. On this slightly inclined, easy trail, the older kids handled it very well, and we had a blast walking up the gravel road looking for flowers and laughing every time the Little One asked her dad for a ride. After he had to put her down one too many times, I remembered I was once a creative mother and could troubleshoot these situations. So I collapsed my walking stick and gave it to her. Fortunately, it was just the right size and interesting enough to keep the munchkin happy for the remainder of the trip up the hill.

There are several rock outcroppings along the Big Glassy trail, though none have the view that the last rock, Big Glassy, had. From it, we had a spectacular view of Jump Off Rock, Mt. Pisgah and, we suspect, Devil's Courthouse. After admiring the view and taking photos with the camera that still worked after I dropped it TWICE, we explored the plants that edged the rock as the kids rested, and then headed back. To our amusement, it wasn't long before Little One hitched a ride.

I was surprised to learn the Carl Sandburg home is part of the National Park Service. In addition to a guided tour of the house, one can hike over five miles (total) on the three trails and visit the goat dairy barn. Like Pearson Falls, this is a perfect half-day activity that the entire family (ages 3 and up :o) can enjoy. For more information, including times and directions, go to http://www.nps.gov/carl

Pearson Falls, Saluda, NC

One of the many things I love about the Blue Ridge Mountains is the treasures hidden in valleys between the peaks and ridges. Not just the gemstones beneath the rocks of Western North Carolina, but also the waterfalls, grottos, wildflowers, and a particular piece of paradise called Pearson Falls.

A member of CarolinasAdventures directed me to Pearson Falls shortly after I joined the group in early 2006. As it turns out, my husband and I happened on this attraction earlier that winter while exploring the backroads near Tryon. Unfortunately, the falls were closed due to damaged sustained in an ice storm. After receiving the recommendation, we tried again in fairer weather and found a delightfully picturesque spot perfect for family outings, flora expeditions, or romantic marriage proposals.

Pearson Falls is located off Highway 176 between Tryon and Saluda, North Carolina. Privately owned and operated by the Tryon Garden Club, who purchased the area in 1931, this nature preserve consists of a quarter-mile trail that runs besides Colt Creek in a shady narrow valley or what I later learned is a glen.

Main Entry*: glen
Function: noun Date: 15th century
: a secluded narrow valley

The entrance to the park is off a small, though much-traveled, dirt road. After we went through the gates, we drove beneath a canopy of leafy branches that stem from trees on both sides of the path, and parked in a small, gravel parking lot (that did nothing to detract from the beauty of the area.) Then we began our trek to the falls.

The "hike" is more like a stroll in the woods. The pathway is mainly dirt/mulch, with stepping stones and a bridge over Colt Creek. We walked fifteen or twenty minutes, taking pictures of various plant life, trees, and rushing water along this incredibly picturesque trail. I couldn't imagine anything more beautiful.

At the end of the trail is a majestic waterfall cascading over layers of rock ledges that captivates thousands of visitors each year. Picnic tables are available near the falls and at the entrance, and visitors often spend time reading, spending time with family or friends, or taking photos of the falls or the over 200 plants that bloom in the area.

To reach Pearson Falls from Greenville, travel up Hwy 14 to Landrum, and turn left on 176 toward Saluda. The road will turn/branch to the left at one point. Turn/branch with it. You'll see the sign for Pearson Falls on the left several miles up the road. Pets and camping are not permitted.

Because the falls is privately owned, there is a small entry fee. But the visit and the drive to Pearson Falls are worth the price. For more information, including operating hours and ticket prices, go to www.pearsonsfalls.org/


*Websters Dictionary at www.m-w.com

Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens

"Oh, how can we get to the zoo?" I still recall the rhyme that we read to our kids after our first visit to Riverbanks Zoo in 1989. The girls are grown and gone now, and though my husband and I still enjoy visiting zoos on occasions, for some reason, we put off traveling to this attraction after our return to S.C. in 2003. We rectified that mistake on Saturday.

Centrally located in West Columbia, Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden is less than two hours from just about any point in the state, and with 170 acres to explore, 2000 animals to see, and a variety of events to participate in, it's worth the drive.

We arrived around 1:00 P.M., and though the zoo currently closes at 6:00 P.M., we had plenty of time to look around. We parked at the Botanical Garden entrance and enjoyed a walk through a walled garden with shaded paths, fountains dancing along the pathway to the visitors center, and species after species of flowers, trees, and shrubs. It must look gorgeous in the spring.

Since we didn't know which direction the zoo was in, we took the tram to that side of the park and spent the next few hours visiting almost every exhibit the zoo has to offer. Though still hot and humid (this is October?) the animals were out, and most were active. Unfortunately, so was the crowd. We had to make our way through throngs that sometimes included more strollers than I've ever seen at one time. We could barely get through the Rainforest exhibit because of them.

Despite that, we enjoyed ourselves. After visiting the aquarium, the reptile house (eww), the bird house, meerkats, elephants, giraffes and more, we had a nice lunch at Ndoki Pizza, located at the far end of the zoo near the Ndoki Lodge and the meerkats. A slice of pizza, calzoni, order of breadsticks, and two badly needed Power Ades cost around $16.00. A higher price than we would have paid on the economy, but worth it since the food was good, the drinks cold, and by this time, we really needed to sit down and rest.

Riverbanks Zoo is open every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas (for which I congratulate them) from 9:00 A.M. To 5:00 P.M. (6:00 PM on the weekends during summer.) Current admission prices are $9.75 for adults ($8.25 for senior citizens), $7.25 for kids 3-12, and $8.50 for military. Children 3 and under are free.

Upcoming events include Boo at the Zoo and Lights Before Christmas. Check the zoo's website at http://www.riverbanks.org/events/ for more information, including dates and admission prices.