|
Near Myrtle Beach
and just on the South Carolina side of the North Carolina state line
is an oasis of nature's colors. This park, sometimes known as the Vereen
Botanical Gardens, features numerous hiking trails and wooden boardwalks
that extend across several beautiful salt marshes and small islands
along The Intercoastal Waterway. With convenient access directly off
of US #17, the two RV Gypsies parked and took a stroll out across some
incredibly scenic pathways and found themselves enjoying a beautiful
day.
Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens is home to 114 acres of woodlands,
salt marsh and formal gardens along with grave markers for the family
that lived on the land from the 19th century until it was donated to
the Horry County Historical Society in 1972. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Below;
The Vereen family cemetery is one of the first things seen inside the
entrance. |
 |
 |
Below: An angel
stands guard over the graves dating back to the Revolutionary War. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Below: Throughout
the hike, Lee and Karen Duquette enjoyed the marsh and water views.
However, Lee Duquette wondered why the grass was sometimes light green,
and sometimes dark green in the same area. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Fiddler crabs
were everywhere, except on the boardwalks, thank goodness. They were
not very big. Karen Duquette hopped very quickly across the areas with
the Fiddler Crabs because they were everywhere. Karen definitely liked
walking on The boardwalk better than the grounds by the Fiddler Crabs. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Wishing Tree
On The Vereen Memorial Gardens Loop Trail In South Carolina
Found at the far end of the loop trail, the Intracoastal Waterway
is the halfway point for this 2.4-mile hike. The banks of the waterway
here are covered in old oyster shells, perfectly bleached by the sun.
Visitors are encouraged to grab one to enjoy.
There was also a wishing tree with a sign inviting guests to make
a wish and hang an oyster to propel that wish forward. Lee and Karen
Duquette wanted to leave an earthy token for their son Brian Duquette
while making their wish. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Below:
Lee Duquette found the perfect oyster shell with a hole in it, so it
would not ever fall to the ground. However, he did not have any kind
of a marker with him so that he could write Brian Duquette's name on
it. But Karen Duquette always will have a marker with her from now on.
But the wish and sentiments survive anyway, as Lee Duquette found the
perfect spot for Brian's oyster shell. |
 |
 |
The
two RV Gypsies are always thinking about their son Brian Duquette. They
have left reminders of him wherever the place encouraged them to do
so. This is the fifth time they honored Brian Duquette's memory with
a token while on the road. They also took an oyster shell home in honor
of Brian's memory. Karen will keep the oyster shell forever.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
The two RV Gypsies
came upon another boardwalk and this one had several local people fishing
for crabs. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Below: As the
two RV Gypsies returned to their car, they noticed something very unusual
in the back of the car parked next to them. |
  |
Continue on to 
