Yemassee, South Carolina
You don't always come to a place for "the place" but for what it is near. So is the case with Yemassee. It is right off Route I-95 in South Carolina, 30 miles from Dataw (more later) and 80 miles from Charleston (ditto); therefore, a great place for us to visit. However, we spent two rainy, dreary days at the campground with little to nothing to do. As an example, the night we arrived, we traveled over 40 miles looking for a decent restaurant, only to come back to the nearby Great Western Motel with its Denny's Restaurant to have "dinner"!! We visited Hunting Island , a barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean at the end of St. Helena Sound. We drove through the state park, visited the ocean beach, toured the marsh walk and Ken walked up the 175 steps to the 
top of the Hunting Island Lighthouse for views of the four 
mile beach and the 125 species of birds (of which we saw one)! (Did you know that I can look thinner by dragging the picture upwards???)
top of the Hunting Island Lighthouse for views of the four 
mile beach and the 125 species of birds (of which we saw one)! (Did you know that I can look thinner by dragging the picture upwards???)
We visited with our good friends, Bob and Barbara Sanderson from Dataw, a couple of times...once to 
enjoy a dinner at the Dataw Clubhouse and the next night at a nearby restaurant, San Jose, in Beaufort. I apoligize to all...I didn't get a picture of the four of us. These are really great people; we felt an instant connection and know we've made a lasting friendship.
enjoy a dinner at the Dataw Clubhouse and the next night at a nearby restaurant, San Jose, in Beaufort. I apoligize to all...I didn't get a picture of the four of us. These are really great people; we felt an instant connection and know we've made a lasting friendship.Now to Dataw...our recent trip only cemented our feelings that this is where we would like to spend some of our retirement. Here is the entrance (at high tide) leading to the gate house. 
The picture doesn't really do it justice!! We spent a day with Bob and Barbara's realtor who showed us some of the homes in our price range listed on the island. Like most areas, Beaufort is suffering from the limited number of home sales and there certainly were a couple of bargains to be had. Unfortunately, we aren't in the market for anything, never mind a "bargain". Our life for awhile is on the road, seeing the country and playing golf. However, here is the house (with view from the screened porch where I know I would have spent many, many hours) we would have considered putting an offer on:
The picture doesn't really do it justice!! We spent a day with Bob and Barbara's realtor who showed us some of the homes in our price range listed on the island. Like most areas, Beaufort is suffering from the limited number of home sales and there certainly were a couple of bargains to be had. Unfortunately, we aren't in the market for anything, never mind a "bargain". Our life for awhile is on the road, seeing the country and playing golf. However, here is the house (with view from the screened porch where I know I would have spent many, many hours) we would have considered putting an offer on:
There is an alligator named "Meathead" that lives in the marsh (a hazard from the 15th tee) and we would have had to keep an eye on Barney, especially in the evening!! Kinda scary! (Note the golf cart garage -- my new goal in life -- and fairway view!!!!!!!!)
The next day we played golf at Dunes West in Charleston (courtesy of my longest best friend, Margot). What a tough course...made me realize more than ever that I really need some lessons for my drive and fairway shots...not getting any distance at all. Only saving grace was an "almost" hole in one (there really is no such thing, is there?) on the 13th (yes, I did make the birdie!). Didn't have a chance to visit with Margot this trip (she was way too busy) so we'll get together during our stay in Myrtle Beach. 
