From MYB, head up to the NC border and visit the little town of Calabash noted for its seafood. Then head a bit up farther in NC to Shalotte, Holden Beach, Sunset Beach. All are "water" based.

South of Myrtle, at Garden City turn right off Hwy 17 following the signs for Weeke Wachee Marina on the Waccammaw River which is also the Intercoastal Waterway at that point. This is one of the most beautiful stretches of the entire waterway - black water, cypress, moss. Take a tour from the Marina.

About 5 miles past Garden City head left off Hwy 17 for Murrells Inlet taking the "Business Route". Another fishing and seafood town. Tons of reataurants, the oldest dates back to 1906.

Get back on 17 and head about 8 miles south to Pawleys Island. On your left, as you come into town will see "The Hammock Shop", home of the well known rope hammock. In that complex are probably 40 shops, restaurants, stores etc. Worth a walk thru.

At the stop light just past the Hammock Shop, turn left for the causeway leading to the island part of Pawleys Island which bills itself as the nations oldest seaside resort. Some buildings date back to 1820. There is one Inn on the island and that's the only commercial activity - you can't even buy a coke or a newspaper. Wonderful. Most of the houses on the island are for rent on a weekly or monthly basis raging from $200 to $10,000 a week. Most houses fronting on the beach are booked years in advance. Head south and you will come to another causeway that will take you back out to Hwy 17.

Incidentally, it was on the beach at Pawleys, in the 1980's, that 2 small town Southern guys, Hugh McColl and Bennett Brown [from Bennettsville and Kingstree] finalized the deal merging BankAmerica and C&S which at the time was the largest bank merger ever.

Head south another 12 miles coming to Georgetown home of Barnard Baruch's Hobcaw Plantation, Tom Yawkie's island, and a great little restaurant called the "Rice Paddy" known for its crab cakes. It's early economy was based on rice and timber. Drive around the part of town between the highway and the ocean. It's in someways a "little Charleston". It was in its hay day when rivers were the best means of transport. It was also Lafayette's port of entry to the colonies.

One more: about 30 miles south of Georgetown you will come to McClellanville, ground zero for Hurricane Hugo in 1989. It was totally underwater. You may recall the story of the man who stood on top of a table in the school, holding a child above his head so it would not drown. Take a left off the highway and see how the town has come back. It's beautiful.

SeeWee Restaurant. About halfway between McClellanville and Charleston, on you right you will see a dilapidated old building with a dirt parking lot. "SeeWee Cafe" definitely worth a stop, particularly if you want to see authentic, old style, southern country food. Get your courage up and go on in. It is a treat!

Last thing: Liquor stores in SC close at 7 pm so plan ahead.

BTW: I live in Beaufort so if I can help down there, let me know.

Savannah is a worthy destination. Historic houses, beautiful neighborhoods and good restaurants are worth the hour from HHI.

Excellent recs, weber. I do love that Seewee. It looks like an old roadhouse. Oh wait! It is.

I would also say google the SC State Fair. It's in Columbia, 100 miles from Charleston and very worth the trip. Different counties will have their fairs at different times.

There is a festival right across from HHI in Bluffton from Oct 14-21 - not sure if you could catch it on the tail end of your trip.