Myrtle Beach, SC-Charleston, SC 10/16 95 driving miles; 13.7 walking miles

We left Mrytle Beach after the morning cup of ambition and headed down highway 17 at a leisurely pace since we couldn't check in to the Rutledge Inn until   2 PM. Hwy 17 remained a tourist strip even though the city name changed periodically, but eventually we transitioned into low country terrain which is a combination of Southern pines and marshlands covered with miles and miles of sweet grass. It was on this stretch that I spied a roadside store front where two ladies were selling baskets (It turns out this was just the beginning of several roadside stands). The stand I stopped at was the stand of Ida Bennett and her grand daughter (Or daughter, I'm not sure), Melissa. Both were true artists living my dream (I've always dreamed of being paid to do art). Ida has been sewing baskets for 71 years. Melissa, the self proclaimed baby, has been sewing baskets for 15. The art form, brought with the slaves and kept alive, as they say: "A gift from God" is now recognized as a cultural gem by the state of South Carolina. Once again, I longed to have a heart to heart, human to human talk with Ida, but there is no vehicle. Instead, I said I wanted to buy my wife a basket. She replied, "I think you should". One impression that stays with me is her elegance. She reminded me of two ladies I like a lot, my mother-in-laws: the late Dorothy Friesen and the going strong, Chotsie O'Brien. The world is a better place because of these women. We met more "best" humans today. Before we even left the hotel, two young girls working the time share desk had enough spunk to punk Ed. He reached for a cup of water (Because it was there), and Natasha spoke, "That'll be one dollar, sir." Ed couldn't decide: fork over a buck or spit the water out. Then she laughed. Finally, on our "bearings" walk in Charleston, we met Creighton Likes, a gregarious, well heeled Charlestonian good ole boy who chatted us up, gave us some historical tidbits, and mostly welcomed us with that famous Southern charm. He even told us the difference between a Yankee and a damn Yankee. "A Yankee comes to visit. A damn Yankee comes and stays". Perhaps Creighton was wearing (figuratively) one of those velvet gloves. Nevertheless, like Ida said, it's been a blessed day, which as you know means that life is good, especially  today. 

Sunrise on the beach, a nice place to do the form.

Natasha and Vanessa (Natasha is the prankster).

 Ida Bennett.

Melissa Bennett.

Melissa demonstrating the sewing technique.

 Their "shop" along the highway.

I bought this basket for my Bunny.

Creighton and Ed yukking it up.

Art shot of the day: Charleston FD at the ready. Come on down!