Just
a short drive south on Highway 17 from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a
peaceful fishing village called Murrells Inlet. Folks who visited this location
many years ago probably remember it as a quiet little town. In the past few
years, however, new neighborhoods have developed and generated tons of
activity, and Highway 17 Bypass is a busy, major thoroughfare between Myrtle
Beach and Charleston.
Turning off from the Bypass and venturing over
to Highway Business 17 in Murrells Inlet will transport you to the small village existing in the memories of multitudes of past visitors. This short
stretch of land featuring multiple restaurants and a fabulous gift shop, The
Lazy Gator, is one hopping place during the busiest season running from June
through August.
September
is the perfect time to explore Murrells Inlet because the days are summertime
warm, and the crowds of vacationers have significantly diminished.
Beside
the Crazy Sister Marina and Wicked Tuna restaurant, the sightseer can walk
along an outstretched pier and also stroll on the Marsh Walk, a walkway that is
conveniently situated behind the restaurants. This area offers a lovely view of the marsh,
waterways, wild life, boats, high rise hotels in the distance to the north,
spacious beach homes of Garden City to the east and goats and peacocks
coexisting on a small island behind Drunken Jack’s Restaurant.
During
the tourist season, this part of town is packed with families seeking dining,
music, kayaking, jet skiing, dolphin tours, bike rentals, private charters, pirate
boat adventures, and the list goes on. Mid-September brings a quieter Marsh
Walk with spectacular sunny views and a sense of serenity that the kids are
back in school, and now the adults can finally take that relaxing saunter along
the Marsh Walk.
I found the Marsh Walk to be so charming, I featured it in one of my inspirational novels, Never Say Perfect. (See http://www.awriterspresence.com)
And
to think that we actually live in Murrells Inlet, where vacationers clamor to
enjoy everything we love about it…an enormous blessing! Since I live in
vacation land, my next few travel blog posts will introduce a variety of locations and attractions in the Grand Strand area
of South Carolina, where the ocean meets the mysterious marshland.
See
you soon with much more fun from the coast of South Carolina!
Mary Anne Benedetto
Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy
Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never
Say Perfect and From Italy with Love & Limoncello
