Day 134 - Garden City, SC

Monday, January 10, 2011

After the ballgame last evening I walked to the lobby to try the wi-fi from there. It was better, but still not as good as most I've used. But, I was able to post on the blog, although loading pictures took forever. Back to the room for a little more TV, and then lights out. I slept well, and was ready to get out of bed when the wake up call came this morning. Peeked outside, and a light dusting of snow/sleet was on the hoods of the cars. I haven't paid much attention to the weather because I have to walk whatever it is. I want to get to Emerald Isle by Jan 22, and would rather get the miles early on, and not get in a crunch near the end. So the goal today is just put some miles behind me on the way to Myrtle Beach......35 miles North. I can't get there today, but should easily by tomorrow.

I headed out and almost immediately passed the Antipedo Baptist Cemetery, circa 1729. There are two bridges to cross going north out of Georgetown on Hwy 17. A combination of snow/sleet was falling, and the wind picked up as I crossed the bridges. Very cold, but became more tolerable once I was off the bridges and protected by the rows of tall pines. Hwy 17 is 4 lane, with a reasonable shoulder for walking, and traffic was light because of the weather. Cars were keeping the lanes pretty clean, but the slush they spray was building up on the shoulder making pushing the cart more difficult. As the snow continued, I started hearing emergency vehicles coming up behind me. Cars were sliding on the slick surface and I saw a couple of them in a ditch. Glad I wasn't there when they started sliding.

Most of the morning was the same.......cold, and a mixture of snow and sleet. Around lunch time I reached Pawley's Island, and stopped in McDonald's for lunch and to get warm. My gloves were soaked, as well as the shoes and socks. I just sent home a nice pair of waterproof gloves when the family visited......not sure why. After lunch I stopped at a store to ask what was ahead. Not much for the next 8-10 miles. I could stay here, or if I continued, would need to go as far as Garden City to find a place to stay for the evening. I left Pawley's Island around 130 going to Garden City. The winter mix was now almost all rain.....and it poured all afternoon. Traffic on Hwy 17 was increasing, making the walk dangerous and uncomfortable. I eventually reached Murrell's Inlet, and was able to switch to Business 17, with little traffic. Plus, it has a 4 mile bicycle lane which allowed me to keep off the road.

During the afternoon I received a call from Mike Killebrew, Dana Point, CA. He was just checking to see how I was doing. I think the weather out there was clear and about 70! Good to hear from Mike. I also had a call from Mac McConnell, a former co-worker from many years back. There were many places to eat in Murrell's Inlet, but not many places to stay. After a long, cold, and wet day of walking, I spotted a Holiday Inn Express on the outskirts of Garden City. I've never been so happy to get in a room and out of the wet clothes. There was a K&W Cafeteria about a block away, and I walked there for dinner. Then back to the room to watch a little football. Jack Bradshaw, from Gastonia, called late afternoon....he and his wife Patsy are in North Myrtle Beach, and invited me to stay with them tomorrow night. Also, weather permitting, Jack wants to walk some tomorrow, so is going to meet me on the road.

About the pictures:
Mother Nature is making these last days a challenge;
Georgetown Harbor;
I've picked enough blackberries to not want to hunt in Chiggergrove.