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

Abandoned US Route 40 in the Truckee River Canyon

Within the Truckee River Canyon in the Sierra Nevada range numerous abandoned portions of US Route 40 can be found alongside modern Interstate 80.   This segment of highway was opened during 1926 as a bypass of the Dog Valley Grade which carried the early North Lincoln Highway and Victory Highway. The corridor of the Truckee River Canyon State Highway would be assigned as US Route 40 when the US Route System was commissioned during November 1926. During 1958 the segment of Interstate 80 between Boca, California and the Nevada state line was complete. When Interstate 80 opened east of Boca numerous obsolete portions of US Route 40 were abandoned. Some of these abandoned segments have been incorporated into the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail.  Part 1; the history of US Route 40 in the Truckee River Canyon The Truckee River Canyon for centuries has been an established corridor of travel known to native tribes crossing the Sierra Nevada range.  The first documented wagon crossi...

Former US Route 50 and the Pioneer Route Lincoln Highway on Johnson's Pass Road

Johnson's Pass Road is one of the oldest highway corridors in California.  Johnson's Pass was part of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road as it was completed during 1856 over the Sierra Nevada.  The pass would later be incorporated into the Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway in 1913 and US Route 50 in 1926.  Johnson's Pass Road would be bypassed by a new alignment of US Route 50 over Echo Summit in 1938.  A replacement of the Meyers Grade east of Johnson's Pass would be opened to traffic in 1947.   Johnson's Pass Road remains accessible to traffic and is still signed by the Lincoln Highway Association.  Pictured as the blog cover is the view from the top of Johnson's Pass Road overlooking modern US Route 50 and Lake Tahoe.   Part 1; the history of Johnson's Pass Much of the history of what become the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road is discussed in the  September 1950 California Highways & Public Works  during its Centennial Edition.  The or...

Former California State Route 41 past Bates Station

When California State Route 41 was commissioned during August 1934 it was aligned along the then existing Fresno-Yosemite Road north of the San Joaquin River.  Within the Sierra Nevada foothills of Madera County, the original highway alignment ran past Bates Station via what is now Madera County Road 209, part of eastern Road 406 and Road 207.   Bates Station was a stage station plotted during the early 1880s at what was the intersection of the Coarsegold Road and Stockton-Los Angeles Road.   The modern alignment bypassing Bates Station to the east would be reopened to traffic during late 1939.   Part 1; the history of California State Route 41 past Bates Station Bates Station was featured as one of the many 1875-1899 Madera County era towns in the May 21, 1968, Madera Tribune .  Post Office Service at Bates Station is noted to have been established on November 23, 1883 and ran continuously until October 31, 1903.  The postal name was sourced...