Skip to main content

2011 Charleston Roadmeet

On November 5th, I headed down with Chris Allen to Charleston to the roadmeet hosted by Billy Riddle. We had lunch at the well known Hyman's Seafood on Meeting Street and the highlight of the tour was a close up view of the spectacular Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge.

The entire set can be found here

But before we get to the meet what about the route down.  Well it was US 64, I-440, I-40, I-95, SC 327, US 301, US 52 into Charleston.

IMG_8677

On US 52 near St. Charles was this interesting set of signs.  First, that may be the smallest Blue Star Memorial Highway sign I've seen, and secondly the Francis Marion tomb historical marker sign reads "All Rich in Iodine" what does that mean?

IMG_8684

I would love to have seen this overhead in the original button copy.

Hyman's Seafood did not disappoint and i you like Shrimp 'n Grits as much as I do, I highly recommend the Carolina Delight.

IMG_8686

It's delicious!

After lunch we headed over to Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park for some great views of the Ravenel Bridge.  About two weeks earlier, I was fortunate to take some shots of the stunning structure at sunset from Patriot's Point.  In this instance, we were able to park at a convenience store near the park and walk over to it.  The convenience store allows Park/Bridge visitors two hours of free parking.

On the walk to the park, I came across this trailblazer for the East Coast Greenway.

IMG_8698

The East Coast Greenway is a network of nearly 3000 miles of bike paths and rail trails in various forms of development stretching from Florida to Maine.  This was the first I had ever seen anything for the Greenway.  Oddly enough, the next day along Water Street in Wilmington, NC I would see another.

The bridge itself is amazing...and there are so many ways to shoot and frame it.

IMG_8696

IMG_8718

IMG_8726

IMG_8747

There is also plenty to do at the Memorial Park.  Fishing of course is very popular, but the open areas seem very popular for events as even a wedding ceremony and reception was being set up while we were there.  Not a bad backdrop for a special event and evening.

Next was a quick stop at the start of I-526 Business Spur West and a nearly 20 year old shield.

IMG_8761

Someone suggested to check out the swing bridge on SC 703 over the Intracoastal.  As luck would have it, we were able to get to the bridge right when it closed to allow boats to pass through.  (Thank that red light at 526 Spur and 703 for that!)

IMG_8767

IMG_8779

From there we headed back towards US 17 where I headed to Wilmington via US 17, US 701, SC 90 and US 17.  Fortunately, there were a few more sights on the trip home.

I'd appreciate your vote

Like this guy, running for town council in Awendaw.  No idea if he or his fellow candidates won.

IMG_8790

Older shield overheads in Conway.

But finally, a contractor made set of US 17 shields that goes back to an older era.

US 17 shields from another era

These shields at a construction project in Brunswick County follow a design more popular 50-60 years ago.  NC used this design once.

All in all a great road trip with some new roads and a great excuse to visit Charleston again.  A nod to Billy Riddle for hosting a great meet!




Comments

Steve A said…
http://www.shgresources.com/sc/symbols/names/
Iodine State - For high iodine content in plants. In the late 1920s, the South Carolina Natural Resources Commission began a public relations campaign to advertise the high iodine levels found in fruits and vegetables grown in the state. Even South Carolina milk was promoted as containing extraordinarily high levels of iodine. Promotional tracts sought to expand the national market for South Carolina produce by warning midwestern and west coast residents of the consequences of iodine deficiency in the young, including enlarged thyroids, mental and physical birth defects, and even sterility. The campaign placed the motto �Iodine� on South Carolina automobile license plates in 1930, then expanded the phrase in subsequent years to �The Iodine State� and �The Iodine Products State.� Columbia radio station WIS took its call letters to promote the �Wonderful Iodine State.� Even lowcountry moonshiners around Hell Hole Swamp jumped on the iodine bandwagon, advertising their brand of liquid corn with the slogan: �Not a Goiter in a Gallon.�

"The Iodine State South Carolina has been referred to as "The Iodine State" because of the large percentages of iodine found in the vegetation growing in the state." http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/sc_intro.htm

"with $112.00 I have had made two aluminum signs to direct travelers to the tomb of Francis Marion. These signs have a mpa of the state at the top and the map is bordered with raised designs of fruits and vegetables. Across the face of the map is the legend "All rich in Iodine." One marker is on the Costal Highway..." This was from the historical commission of south carolina reporting to the general assembly in 1931

Popular posts from this blog

North Carolina Continues to Move Forward with Rail

2023 and the first half of 2024 have seen continued growth in North Carolina's passenger rail system.  From increased daily trains from Raleigh to Charlotte, federal funds for studying additional corridors, and receiving a historic grant to begin the construction of high-speed rail between Raleigh and Richmond, the last 18 months have been a flurry of activity at NCDOT's Rail Division.  And that's just the tip of the iceberg. As ridership and routes increase - the engine of North Carolina passenger rail trains will become a more common sight. (Adam Prince) Increased Passenger Train Service: On July 10, 2023, a fourth Piedmont round-trip rail service between Raleigh and Charlotte commenced.  The four Piedmont trains plus the daily Carolinian (to Washington, DC, and New York) bring the total of trains serving the two cities daily to five. The current daily Piedmont and Carolinian schedule between Charlotte and Raleigh (NCDOT) The result was over 641,000 passengers utilized pa

The Midway Palm and Pine of US Route 99

Along modern day California State Route 99 south of Avenue 11 just outside the City limits of Madera one can find the Midway Palm and Pine in the center median of the freeway.  The Midway Palm and Pine denotes the halfway point between the Mexican Border and Oregon State Line on what was US Route 99.  The Midway Palm is intended to represent Southern California whereas the Midway Pine is intended to represent Northern California.  Pictured above the Midway Palm and Pine can be seen from the northbound lanes of the California State Route 99 Freeway.   This blog is part of the larger Gribblenation US Route 99 Page.  For more information pertaining to the other various segments of US Route 99 and it's three-digit child routes check out the link the below. Gribblenation US Route 99 Page The history of the Midway Palm and Pine The true timeframe for when the Midway Palm and Pine (originally a Deadora Cedar Tree) were planted is unknown.  In fact, the origin of the Midway Palm and Pine w

US Route 101 in Benbow, Garberville and Redway

The communities of Benbow, Garberville and Redway can all be found along US Route 101 within southern Humboldt County.  The former surface alignment of US Route 101 in Garberville and Redway once crossed the Garberville Bluffs along what is now Redwood Drive via a corridor constructed as part of the Redwood Highway during the 1910s.  US Route 101 through Benbow, Garberville and Redway was modernized by 1935.  US Route 101 would eventually be upgraded to freeway standards in Benbow, Garberville and Redway by extension of the Redwood Freeway during 1966-68.  As the cover photo the original grade of US Route 101 and the Redwood Highway can be seen at the Garberville Bluffs during 1934.  US Route 101 can be seen in the communities of Benbow, Garberville and Redway on the 1935 Division of Highways Map of Humboldt County .   The history of US Route 101 in Benbow, Garberville and Redway Benbow, Garberville and Redway lie on the banks of the South Fork Eel River of southern Humboldt County.  D