We continue to visit with our friend Ernie in Little River. Today was another laid back day, visiting a few flea markets and consignment stores of which there are plenty in the area. North Myrtle Beach Flea Market was kind of a bust in the sense that we didn't find any treasures that we just had to have. It was also a little smaller than our host remembered, but it was interesting to people watch. Clearly some of the patrons were people who couldn't afford to shop elsewhere, and others, like us, were tourists looking for amusement or perhaps furnishing for vacation homes. Add patient but hopeful vendors, and a combination of displays in old buildings and others scattered on tarps sitting on sandy soil, and you have the scene. There are some bargains to be had here, mostly household tools and decorative items made in China, but also quite a bit of merchandise on its way to the recycling bin. The strong South Carolina accents, which are seldom heard in the commercial areas where nearly everyone seems to come from the north, were strongly heard at the flea market. Also prominent was the friendliness we have come to enjoy in our contact with locals.
On the strength of listings for several stores carrying "Quality Consignments" we headed up the road to a little village called Calabash, just over the border in North Carolina. We ate at Colemans and it didn't disappoint in any way. The staff were friendly and helpful. The restaurant was clean, bright and had great views of the ICW.
After eating we spent a couple hours walking around the village center, stopping in at several consignment shops that did have quality items of all kinds for sale. The high point was finding a length of one and one half inch diameter rope (commonly used for battle rope) that Andrew has been looking for to include in his exercise routine. The entire block below was one large souvenir and mercantile store.
After spending a few hours back at the house doing domestic chores we headed out to Myrtle Beach for a glimpse at the night life of which there is plenty. The whole route 17 strip is lit up brighter than the Las Vegas strip, but with smaller crowds this early in the season here. We settled for a movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, in a Carmike Cinema on the strip. It was hilarious, sweet, and sometimes outrageous. The wedding brought back memories of the ceremony Gloria and I went through 44 years ago, although ours wasn't quite as over the top and our families weren't quite as intrusive as in the film. Still, the sentiment and funny goofs brought back fond memories.
The pictures didn't come out as well today, so when we return to those areas tomorrow we will take some more and add them in here.
See you along the way.
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