Carolina Lifestyle

I'll be going down to beautiful SC myself August 7-23. We own a condo in Surfside Beach, just south of Myrtle Beach, and travel down there frequently. We're planning on moving [back] to SC permanently in 3 1/2 years when my husband retires from the state of Ohio and we can hardly wait!  Have you been to the Surfside Beach area? Surfside has SOOO much to offer. The entire southern end of the Grand Strand is wonderful and very "locals" friendly. We also love Pawley's Island with a passion but it's much more expensive than Surfside Beach.

I have family in Summerville, Orangeburg, Columbia, Sumter and Seneca. My cousin is a doctor in Seneca and he loves that area passionately. My father was the engineer who designed and oversaw the building of I-95 from the GA to the NC borders.

My friend Val told me about your blog – she's heard so much about the NC/SC areas from me (and others) that she and her husband have now decided to move down there soon as well. I think she's planning a trip down there in Sept. to scope out some of the areas that you've suggested.

There's no place like SC!!! Boiled peanuts, fresh peaches, the best seafood anywhere in Murrells Inlet, the most wonderful historical district in Charleston – it's heaven in my opinion!

Speaking of boiled peanuts – the best ANYWHERE is Allsbrooks Boiled Peanut Stand on Raccoon Rd. in Manning, SC. When was I was a young child we would go visit Mr. Allsbrook and enjoy the most awesome peanuts ever. He passed away quite a few years ago and I was sad to see a piece of my childhood gone. BUT — we were in SC for Memorial Day weekend and I took my husband to Manning to show him where I grew up 40+ years ago. We drove down Raccoon Rd. and THERE WAS "ALLSBROOKS BOILED PEANUTS" once again OPEN!!! I slammed on brakes and went inside and there was Mr. Allsbrooks' son, now 60 years old, boiling peanuts while his wife ran the "Store" . His son also does iron working and makes some cool pieces that the sell at the stand. There were photos of his dad on the wall and I was nearly brought to tears with the memories of my childhood!

I hope I'm not boring you – I wanted to share some of our "favorite things" with a fellow SC lover.

Also – have you seen the Topiary Garden in Bishopville that is designed and maintained by a man named Earl? Travel channel actually covered it a few months ago – it's amazing!

And then there's the guy who makes hammocks in Pawley's Island at the Hammock Shops… he's really amazing too. He was also featured on the Travel Channel and is 100% genuine.

OK – enough of my jabbering! Sorry….. I just believe SC is the closest thing to Heaven and I share it with anyone who will listen!

Have a wonderful trip and I can't wait to hear what you see and do! Thanks for keeping in touch!!

Thanks Again Mari for letting me share that with everyone!