Publish Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008
Location: ICW along North and South Carolina
Beaufort, SC
When planning our route, I was very excited to explore the towns along the Mid-Atlantic part of the ICW. Having grown up in Texas, I had heard the stories about the grand cities of the South like Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. I have now had the chance to see them both, for which I am very grateful, but I discovered something about myself along the way. I love the smaller towns better.
Both Charleston and Savannah are beautiful bustling metropolises and shipping ports, filled with tons of history. There are plenty of tours to be taken, great restaurants to dine in and shopping abounds. However, I find myself much happier strolling along the small, quieter streets of towns like Beaufort, N.C, (pronounced Bo-fort) and Beaufort, S.C. (pronounced Bu-fert). These towns are also rich in history and filled with incredible examples of antebellum architecture, but it all feels more personal. The sounds of large cities don’t exist here, instead you hear the birds playing and the Spanish Moss swaying in trees. They have one
Ayla and Dave having hot chocolate in Beaufort, SC
or two “main” streets surrounded by old neighborhoods. There are cozy independent bookstores, funky coffee shops, restaurants serving local specialties, and stores with the most unusual mix of items. People in these establishments greet you with a smile and genuine interest in the fact you’ve stopped to visit them.
As I leave the bigger cities I feel as if I have seen the sights. When leave these smaller towns I feel as if I have made a friend.