And it just so happens, that Myrtle Beach is littered with BBQ places! And it just so happens, that Linda ( "Louise" as in , I'm Thelma..) Mayo Perez, loves art, collects art and was an artist.
So here we go!
Now on the way, Lunch 1st. We had checked the BBQ map and just for the name alone, wanted to go to Radd Dew's BBQ in Conway. We GPS it and go. Well, we learned our lesson to check websites or Face Book, and not just the map. Seems the map needed quite the update! (Now I just checked , and as of this writing, it has been updated. YEA! Several places deleted and several added. And we'll still check websites or call before we go!) ) Radd Dew's had moved to Aynor, SC, and was open on Wednesday, but only in the evening. Back onto the map... so we found another place on 501 in Conway, on the way into Myrtle Beach, and this one too, was gone. replaced by the Hwy 90 Diner. At this point, We were getting "hangry", so we ate! Great diner food, I think we had sandwiches and chips and slaw. all very tasty, but not bbq, so started planning the evening meal...
Now, back to the museum story.
Last time I was in Myrtle Beach, I was visiting my family, who had rented a condo in the total touristy section of town. They never call me for advice, (no surprise there) so we were across the street from a big parking lot, full of motorcycles...yep, Bike Week. The beach and the pool was nice as was the condo, and my sister and I did get down to Atayala, the big craft fair at Huntington state park, but still didn't have time for the museum...manipulating all those motorcycles was interesting to say the least.
So now there was no excuse.
Even with gps, we got a little lost..seems there is a 3100 Ocean blvd and we needed 3100 South Ocean blvd, so a little detour and tour of residential Myrtle Beach. Even though a lot of Myrtle Beach is mini Vegas or Branson, some of the town is actually quite quaint and nice!
But we found it!
I had seen pictures of the museum on the website, but nothing does it justice. A beautiful white beach house, with open hurricane shutters, lattice work camouflaging the utilitarian downstairs flood zone, and windows everywhere! Beautifully groomed lawns all around.
We go in and the front desk staff go get Pat. Hugs all around, then the tour. It's an absolutely beautiful museum with, at that time, displays of the winner's of the Wacamaw Arts and Crafts Guild Juried exhibiton, and the Winyah River Keepers Photography contest. So many talented artists! Then, of course, the museum has it's permanent collections, including many Jonathan Green Paintings, Antique maps, the Wadmalaw Arts and Crafts Guild and the Museum collection of Gifts and purchases. Pat keeps very busy looking for and securing the next best exhibition and overseeing the staff who teach the many classes for adults and children alike. Also, at that time, outside on the front lawn, there were these tall, 3D square chalkboards on the lawn. They were there, meant for anyone to stop, pick up some colored chalk and write on the board, something "Before I Die" (pictures below). We asked Pat if it had been a hard to maintain exhibition, being a free for all public event. She said that everyone had been respectful. No nasties had to be erased, and no one had taken morei of their fair share. Good for us.
So many folks I talk to have no idea that there is a museum in Myrtle Beach, let alone one so full and robust with emotion and beauty. We've already been back (which will be in a future post), and will go again. Hope you go as well! Oh, and the Museum Gift Shop is one of the best! Many friends got the benefit of very interesting Christmas gifts, believe me!
So, we pretty much close the museum. Time to head home. We drive 17 south, and decided to stop at Hog Heaven in Pawley's Island. Easy access right on the highway. All that art and fun seeing my friend had made us hungry again! Hog Heaven is a good BBQ buffet with lots of selections of the pig to taste, and many tasty sides. An all around decent place for families and locals in the area. Linda of course, got her take out for Jimmy. We were glad they were open so we could try them and officially make this a BBQ trip!
Next time, a local place right near home!
