As I mentioned before, there is quite a difference between west and east coast beaches. I said this to several students who have never been to a Californian beach (poor girls!) and they asked me what was so different. The only thing I could think to say was that South Carolinian beaches were so... "southern-y". Real scientific, I know. So I decided to make a list. Let me preface this by saying that I don't like either coast better or worse. They are just uniquely different. How's that for a people-pleaser? Everyone happy?
This
is what happened every time I brought out my camera. South Carolina is literally the most humid place I have ever been. It takes about 15 minutes for my lens to clear up before I can take a single picture.
The condos along the beach are all brightly painted, on stilts, have hurricane shutters on the windows, and have plaques that proudly display the condo's quirky name "Margarita Cove" or "The Beachcomber".
The Beach side of the condos back up the the beautiful protected dunes. This is very different from the immaculately manicured boardwalks and beaches of California. The pro is that it's rustically beautiful. The con is that there is no way to rollerblade, bike or long-board along the beach unless you go out to the street without an ocean view.
You don't see signs for a hurricane evacuation route in California either!
In order to cross over the beach dunes without harming them, there are the old wooden walkways and bridges. This is one of my favorite things! I could have walked along the beach for less than a mile and found enough of these distinct walkways to have it's own blog post. I wish I had! I guess there's always next summer!
I wish I could say this is a joke, but the primary form of transportation in Myrtle Beach is a golf cart! Think
Bobby Cobb from
Cougar Town. This is funny to note because it seems like along the Californian coast, everyone is there to show off. Whether that be their modern house or fancy ride. While there are places in South Carolina that have more class, in Myrtle Beach tourists and locals alike drive golf carts and have mobile homes in trailer parks less a block from the Ocean! We have students at our Project from Ireland, Scotland and India and I had to laugh at the thought that Myrtle Beach (or the dirty Myrtle as we affectionately call it) is their one view of American Culture. We had to tell them that not all Americans drive golf carts, live in the swim suits and shop at Walmart for everything.
Every fruit stand along the side of the road offered Boiled Peanuts. I have heard nothing but rave reviews of these nuts, but alas, we kept forgetting to give them a try. I guess that's another thing to try next summer!
This is where I rented my first surfboard. It was super fun! If we ever end up living anywhere near the ocean, it will be a must have for me. I'd love to get better at it so I can get up more than a few times!
