4/25/23 Mt Pleasant to Georgetown SC

We found a safe way out of Mt Pleasant riding on the side walk along a busy road during morning traffic. 

 

All along the state route 17 (same busy road as above) there were wooden frames for sweet grass basket sales.  Most were not in use, but at least one had products for sale. Altogether there must have been at least 2 dozen hut frames along a 5 miles stretch. The Sweet grass bowls and baskets are a traditional basket made predominantly by the Gullah people.

When the sidewalk ended the road expanded to included about 4’ of bike lane with a protective rumble strip to keep us safe. 

The roads were really pretty good, but the strong wind in our faces made us want to keep our heads down and just tick off the miles. 

At 11:11 we had stopped at a Circle K to get more water and eat our sole from the hotel. Check out SC gas prices. 

After crossing the county line the bike lane became much less desirable, so we took a longer route and passed a number of old plantation estates on an old tree line road. 

Just before we got into town we were passing a number of rice fields. We found out later at the Rice Museum that rice plantations shaped and reshaped the lowcountry geography and economy, making Charleston one of the richest cities in the world, but because it was a wealth built primarily on slave labor, it all crumbled after the Civil War. 

Arriving in Georgetown:

First stop: Buzz’s Roost for a late lunch. We had a beer flight and a couple of delicious fish tacos… Taco Tuesday! 

After a bit of roaming around town we stopped into The Rice Museum and had an informative guided tour. 

 

In this small museum we were amazed by the Browns Ferry Vessel built in the early 1700s, which is reputed to be the oldest vessel on exhibit in the nation. The 50-foot-long craft was found by an amateur diver in the Black River under thick layers of mud,which is what preserved the boat.  It was excavated without  dismantling, keeping it intact  through the placement in the museum. 

Checking into our overnight stay was fun because we were greeted by Joseph Baxter (of Baxters B&B - Beer and Bed) with a sample of two of his  home brews.  

The later afternoon/ evening was spent strolling the town and enjoying dinner at The River restaurant.