Before driving north to Vermont for our son’s graduation May 17 we had several days with which to tackle projects and play tourist.
Our first order of business was to get ourselves to a nearby UPS Store to send back our faux Engel (Isotherm cooler box) to the distributor in Ft Lauderdale. After getting Defender involved, the distributor agreed to cover the return freight cost (they provided their UPS acct #) and we “just” had to get it packed up and shipped. We called, we checked, we thought we had everything covered. Not so fast desperate captain; how about the UPS Store won’t ship on account? Time to regroup.

The nice taxi driver lady was going to wait, but we ended up sending her off while we spent 45 mins having a shipping label faxed to the UPS Store and then reviving Russ when he heard the price to box it up. The store manager cut us a sweet deal and we left to eat lunch next door. The original plan was to have the box repaired (new cover and refrigeration system) and returned to us in Myrtle Beach by May 21. Not a good plan, when no replacement lids are in stock and time is needed to test any electronics switched out. In the end we said to keep it and we’d wait to have it sent to us in CT.
The water maker got pickled- and no that doesn’t mean drunk as a skunk but it is out of commission.We either have to make water every four days or flush it. Not doing either for longer means using pickling chemicals specially created to put the water maker on hold so to speak until you need to revive it. Our first time with this process and I am happy to report success and no additional gray hairs acquired.
Enterprise, our new best friend, provided our Chevy Malibu 4-door sedan after my dismay at the VW Beetle offered. While the VW would be fun for around town, we’d be driving over 2,000 miles with luggage and bags of stuff.

Curious about the beach part of Myrtle Beach we stuck our noses in, but got a better look when we returned the car and were driven back through the “fun” area.
Wednesday we drove down about 17 miles to Pawley’s Island Beach; maybe you’ve heard of Pawley’s Island Hammocks, that’s the area. The UPS Store clerk told me that was the best beach around for beach combing and it contained an ocean side and a protected creek side for added interest.

 

Driving was a challenge; not that we’d forgotten how, but the structure of the roads, turning lanes and side access roads were not what we were used to. We had more than a few turn arounds because the Google map on the iPhone wasn’t quite as quick as it should be. Or maybe the assistant navigator wasn’t up to par. 🙂
On the way back Brookgreen Gardens welcomed us. Our several hour visit did not do the place justice nor will this post; suffice to say it is lovely, affordable and well worth the time to tour the extensive sculpture gardens, trails, and peaceful resting areas. We stayed with a tour guide for a short while to learn about the massive collection of primarily bronze and aluminum sculptures that were artfully placed around the grounds.

 

The Pavillion was a lunchtime surprise. Expecting something express, like cafeteria style, instead we found a choice of inside or outside dining in a comfortable setting and delicious food served promptly.
On to the trails with small exhibits, info signs, sculptures and other great reasons to stop and enjoy the surroundings. Brookgreen also contains a small livestock area, aviary, and a butterfly house, but we had to skip the butterflies.

Looking at the property map of Brookgreen, lo and behold we now know “what’s on the other side” of the Waccamaw  in the South Myrtle Beach stretch.