We set at out crack-of-sparrow-fart headed northbound through the Free State of Florida. Our route takes us up the coast with an overnight outside of Savannah and our first stop at Myrtle Beach.
Prepping Excellent Adventure discovered a corroded 12-volt fuse. Rust doesn’t like to conduct electricity all that much!
Rust never sleeps, especially along the east coast of Florida. I once read that the salt concentration here is higher than anywhere else along the east coast! Other than that, it was a smooth sailing compared to last year’s cluster fuck. 🤣
Launch
North along the ‘Fun Coast’ including Daytona Beach and then the ‘First Coast’ including St. Augustine and Jacksonville. Fun fact: Jacksonville is named after Andrew Jackson, the first governor of Florida and the seventh president of the United States.
Georgia
Our first stop was in my old home state of Georgia just south of Savannah on I-95. We have stayed at this KOA campground multiple times now, in 2022, 2023, 2024 and now 2025. It’s very nice with a huge pond full of quackers and gators and a very freindly staff.
South Carolina
The next morning, we drove a short distance up the Interstate and found ourselves in the Palmetto State.
I always loved the flag for South Carolina! None of this ‘Carpe Diem‘ crap! No ‘In Flying Spaghetti Monster We Trust’! It’s pure symbolism.
About half of the drive takes us through winding backroads, where we are greeted by hundreds of dump trucks. As we approach the coast, the scenery transforms into a more refined one. Majestic stone edifices proudly proclaim the names of the opulent palatial estates that lie beyond. Golf courses for the wealthy and famous, as well as a diverse array of cuisines, await us.
Then we start seeing motorcycles everywhere. Yep, folks, it’s Bike Week in Myrtle Beach.
-Surprise!
Bikes of all kinds, 2- and 3-wheelers! Bike riding Mommas with tattoos! Dudes with copious facial hair ❤️. Hundreds, if not thousands, of bikes! And lots of police presence to keep things frosty!
What truly astounds me is the sound systems on some of these bikes. They are louder than the engine noise itself! Imagine a dozen bikes revving their engines simultaneously, playing a diverse mix of hip-hop, death metal, and country music. It’s an experience that truly captivates the senses!
Come for the bikes. Leave hard of hearing!
The Grand Stand
The first morning, we embarked on a journey to the beach, which stretched for miles. They affectionately refer to this stretch of sand as the Grand Strand, and it boasts an impressive length of over 60 miles.
We found ourselves at the northern end of the Grand Strand, where we discovered a vibrant hub of activities. Amusement parks, beachwear boutiques, souvenir shops, bars, and more bars lined the high risen laden shoreline, creating a lively atmosphere. Further south, the landscape transitioned into a more relaxed area, characterized by strip malls, expansive oceanside resorts, and golf courses.
My brother told me to check out Shag Dancing! Apparently it’s a style that originated in Myrtle Beach in the 1950s and 60s. Way too hard for this dancing bear. It has its own genre of music called Beach Music. The only tune I recognized in a list of Beach Music tunes was On the Boardwalk by The Drifters. I get it now!
I did a little souvenir shopping, chilled a bit and headed for the pool!
🤩
Next stop is the Outer Banks of North Carolina!
