V4N7A

Last month we did something that we didn't have room to report on, in our last issue. We visited some old friends who we hadn't seen for some time.

Our first stop was in Lowell, MI to visit Jerry and Mary Milan. A couple who was generous enough to offer a place at their table, for two strangers at a Valentine's Day Dinner, the first year we went West. The Resort was in Earp, CA. After some conversation we found out that we were both from Michigan, they being Trolls, and we being Yoopers. Last year we ran into them again at the same Resort. Sharon recognized them while we were in the pool. A couple of weeks later we were at Casa Grande, AZ together and went to Skydive University one afternoon. We enjoyed their company very much, but they have informed us they will be in Florida this year.

Our second stop visiting was to see Joe and Judy McNeece in Simpsonville, SC. Unfortunately we didn't get to see Judy, but Joe stopped over to the motorhome while we were at Wal-Mart. When I originally contacted them I assumed they were still in Myrtle Beach, SC. He had changed jobs from the Fire Chief of Horry County Fire Department, to the Chief of South Greenville. He had been on the job for about 3 weeks when we arrived and our meeting was abbreviated. But he stayed and chatted with us from 9 until midnight, and I was so happy to see and talk to him. We have been acquainted since Joe was employed with Champion International In Quinnesec at home.

While in Myrtle Beach, SC, Sharon and I decided to take a drive to Murrell's Inlet which is south of Myrtle Beach and about 20 miles from our campground. On the way, we discovered sights we never knew existed. Driving down Ocean Boulevard (near the beach) we spotted the usual large hotels and motels and then came upon the Pavilion Amusement Park. As one would imagine, the rides, shops and vendors all seemed to be located in one area near Hwy 501. We were amazed to see something we never knew existed and we've been here 2 previous times. While Murrell's Inlet did not live up to all the bragging that we had heard, we certainly could have missed what we were supposed to see.

All was not lost, however, as we stopped at TCBY and got a couple of Chocolate-Covered Cherry cones. Sharon's waffle cone was dipped in crushed Butterfingers and mine was crushed Oreo cookie. I didn't see the crushed Heath Bar before I ordered. Damn! $8 later and we were on our way again.

Charles Pinckney N.H.S.

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site is located in Mt. Pleasant, SC just north of Charleston. It is the symbolic residence of the man, who was a signer of the Constitution of the United States. I say "symbolic" because the house was built about 4 years after his death in 1828. The land that later became Snee Farm was purchased by Pinckney's father in 1754. It was not his primary residence however, as he owned an elegant townhouse in Charleston, but it was the favorite of his seven plantations, and was considered his country estate.

As you enter the grounds, the thing that strikes you immediately, are the huge Live Oak and Magnolia Trees. Some are draped from top to bottom with Spanish Moss and very becoming to a couple of visitors who rarely see the plant. The Moss apparently grows on the dead branches of healthy trees. And was to us, very eerie having visited the place on Halloween. But the day we visited was warm and humid and the sun shone brightly, unlike a full moon-lit night with long dark shadows, which would have had the full effect.

Charles Pinckney held several political offices during his career including President to the South Carolina Constitutional Convention, Governor of South Carolina and a US Senator as well as the Ambassador to Spain under Thomas Jefferson. He was also instrumental in the transfer of the Louisiana Territories from France during that period.

Beufort , SC

On our way from Charleston, SC to Savannah, GA we encountered a wonderful little town called Beufort, SC. It was on the "scenic" route and as we were going through we decided to stop. Because our schedule allows us to do whatever our hearts desire, we were open to suggestions. Our stop at the Visitor's Center intrigued us to such an extent we immediately decided on the Carriage Tour. It would be a 50 minute tour of the Ante-bellum Homes with the historical narration thrown in.

One of the interesting things I noticed were "chains" hanging on the outside of houses. The tour guide informed us that they were rain down spouts that the water simple cascades down.

Rainbow Row was also very interesting with its pastel painted houses and Sears Roebuck houses all in a row. Three consecutive houses, still in excellent shape, built from the kits that were sold many years ago. Porch ceilings, painted light blue, make the ghosts think it's still daytime, and they stay away.

4 Movies were shot in this little town. The Big Chill, The Great Santini, Prince of Tides and Forrest Gump. And the Tour Guide was only too eager to tell us the story of Barbra Streisand sunbathing by the pool, of her $10,000 a month rental house, during her filming of The Prince of Tides. Not realizing that the Carriage Tours could see over the fence, she felt no shyness in laying out to work on her tan. As the tour passed, the cameras were clicking to catch the star. However, a little while later, Bab's publicist showed up to purchase the film with the NUDE pictures