First off I would like to wish the woman that brought me into this world and taught me so many valuable life lessons a happy Mother’s Day. I love you Mom.
No Bikes, No Trailers – Couldn’t even park at the condos where we stayed.
It was so humid this morning that by the time I got the trailer and bike packed and ready to go, I was more than a little damp. However, miles per hour = evaporation so that little issue was gone after some time on the road. It sure feels good to be back on the bike. Don’t get me wrong, the golf with “the boys” was a blast as always and I was certainly ready for a break last week when I got off the bike – but it’s time for the Red Rider to be back on the black top. Besides, today was the start of Bike Week in Myrtle Beach – I got out of town just in time.
Highway 17. Southbound leaving South Carolina.
By the time I got out of South Carolina the sky had turned to a high overcast which made what could have easily been a miserably hot and humid day actually quite pleasant. There were several of these overhanging tree tunnels along the way today. These are Live Oak trees and they’re covered with Spanish Moss. Spanish Moss is actually a living plant. It’s a bromelaid or “air plant” that gets its nutrients and water from its surroundings vs. the ground. Spanish Moss is prevalent in the south growing mostly on Live Oak and Bald Cypress trees.
Just one of many reasons to stay OFF the slab.
Later on down the road I decided to stop to stretch my legs in front of the old Butler Island Plantation. I looked around a little and learned a couple things. This was a huge plantation back in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s; and they didn’t grow cotton, they grew rice. The watering was controlled by s system of dikes and canals that were installed by engineers from Holland and the water flowing through the tidal gate they installed powered the machinery in the mill long before electric power. Mr. Butler ran into some financial difficulties and in order to get some badly needed cash sold 439 of his slaves in 1859. That was the largest slave sale in United States history, and good timing too. Emancipation Proclamation – January 1, 1863.
Butler Island Plantation – Chimney of the old rice mill
Today was one of those days that seemed to go by pretty fast. I like this part of the country, good roads, friendly people and lots of history everywhere you look.
Love the pic of oak tree tunnels!