Saturday, June 12, 2010

Have Cool, Will Travel

If you go to the Myrtle Beach area I would highly recommend the Brookgreen Gardens. This was an incredibly beautiful place. Acres of sculpture gardens, a nature preserve for native animals, a cool butterfly house all surrounded by wonderful botanical gardens. In the previous post, this is where the giant oaks lining the road were. The sculpture gardens are divided up into 'rooms' and this was one of the first ones we came to, aptly named "Ann's Garden"!
Now, when I go to another state, especially driving that far, I want to get out and see some stuff; to explore, you know. I love the beach as much as the next person, and I did want to spend time there since we won't get to enjoy ours anymore, but I just don't see the point in driving almost 600 miles to sit in one spot for a week. On top of that, the poor kids would have been burnt to a crisp by the end of the week, so we decided to take some excursions. Now, everyone was invited but only the kids wanted to take advantage of these opportunities. Well, sister and BIL did show up there after lunch but he tried to rush us through the rest of the place. Claiming they had already seen the whole thing in about an hour. Bullshit. We took our time and saw everything.

Myrtle Beach proper is a stinky, commercialized Hell as far as I'm concerned. Crowded beaches, unsavory shorelines and unbridled development, but 30 minutes to the south it was wonderful. Beautiful wetlands, state park beaches, museums, you name it. Why would anybody not want to enjoy all of that? Most people might think the kids would be bored stiff with the art but they had a blast. They took it all in, reading abut everything we came upon. Maybe I don't understand because I don't have kids, but I think they need to be encouraged to get out and see the world and learn about new things every chance they can get. Admission is about $12 or $15 (I can't remember) for adults but your tickets are good for 7 days. I thought that was great.

This was probably my favorite sculpture in the whole place. Of course, this is Diana; goddess of the hunt etc. A wild, free woman. I can relate. Sissy mentioned in the comments on the last post that time away often gives you a new perspective on things. I whole-heartedly agree. I certainly came back with a new outlook and perspective. It also gave me a renewed interest and spirit on improving my land. New ideas for my own art and designs.

These pictures just don't do the oak trees justice. They were so massive. The kids chatted with one of the gardeners out working about the place and asked what they thought the approximate age of the trees were. The lady said they estimated these to be around 270 years old. If only these old trees could talk to us. Well, maybe it's a good thing they can't; I'm afraid we would not like what they would tell us.
I was excited to see that many of the fern varieties they had here are the same type I have growing naturally at my place. Cool!

I would also recommend getting to this place early so you have plenty of time to sit and enjoy things and read all about it. They have 2 restaurants here also. I have a few pics of the animals and such but I won't bore ya'll with much more from here.
Now, time for me to get off my butt and get to work around my place. Lots to do!!

12 comments:

Caddie said...

Mmm, mmm. i want to go! to the gardens! Annie, thank you so much for the pictures; makes me lust to see.
I hate Myrtle Beech proper - my only experience with the area.

Whoa...how does one enjoy such a setting every year, 20yr and counting. Oh, my sad sibling...

Twenty years of La,la,la,la,la, "DownTown Beachin'", La,la,la (sing along with me,Folks)

Yikes.
May the good Lord keep me in these green, good hills. Amen.

Great post Annie. :> )

HermitJim said...

Really nice pictures...and the gardens look terrific! Gotta love those old trees!

Glad you had a good time...and were there to help the young ones enjoy it all!

Welcome back!

MamaHen said...

Hey Sis! you're welcome! yeah, downtown Myrtle Beach was hideous; my worst nightmare.
But Pawley's Island, Murrell Inlet, those were great.

Hey Jim! thanks! I was glad too!

possum said...

This has been on my Places to go to list for many years...
However, the older I get, the more I am inclined to stay put. Sigh. But it is nice for others to visit and file their reports so I can see what I missed!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

We totally agree with your comments about commercialization - kudos for sharing your views...and about not rushing through as you BIL wanted to do..you go, Annie!

MamaHen said...

Hey Possum! Oh, you should go! just stay south of Myrtle Beach. You would really enjoy it.

Hey Beatrice! thanks!!

Rusty said...

I stayed in Myrtle Beach a few times many, many years ago. The local people thought we were crazy going into the 'cold' ocean in late October. They never felt our Laurnetian lakes - Thats cold! Back then even downtown was OK (though most of the boardwalk was closed after September). And it's true - the gardens are (were) beautiful! ATB!

MamaHen said...

Hey Rusty! yeah, I imagine years ago it was better but just 30-40 minutes south is still some wonderful natural areas.

Ed said...

I think I would get along well with you on vacation. I tend to really hate the destinations everyone likes but really love the areas just outside of them where no one goes. I remember a trip to Glacier during the summer when it was horribly crowded. However, just five minutes of hiking down a trail and the crowds were all gone. I spent the entire day completely alone having the time of my life through scenery ten times more beautiful than that along the road.

MamaHen said...

Hey Ed! Aren't those the best places though!? and why people just flock to the crowded, stinky, commercialized stuff I'll NEVER understand.

Beau said...

I love old live oaks and moss...

Rusty said...

I took a look at a satellite view of the area - oh my! It HAS grown. Then I realized my last visit to Brookgreen was - about fifty three years ago. Where did the time go? ATB!