Myrtle Beach in the Spring

A week ago from right now, I had just finished parasailing for the first time in my life. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision that was made while I was eating at Damon's on the waterfront, and there just happened to be a water sports business right next to the restaurant. That was easily the highlight of my most recent trip back to the beach (along with watching U2:3D on IMAX), and it was only days before one of the worst wildfires in our state's history struck the beach. Here are some mobile photos I took from the trip.

Our hotel, the Landmark:


The beach:


My first parasailing experience:


Peace:


Family Kingdom:


Fountain at Market Common:


Sitting area at Market Common:


Street at Market Common:


Another Market Common Fountain:


IMAX 3D Theater:


Fireworks over the beach:


Coastal Grand Mall food court:


Site of the former Pavilion:

Governor's Mansion Tour

Last August, I posted some pictures from a visit to the S.C. Governor's Mansion during which I had the opportunity to see the house from the outside along with its well-manicured yard. After visiting the gift shop last week and learning that tours of the mansion are free, I decided to book one, and yesterday I finally saw the inside (the first floor, anyway). While I didn't have my digital camera handy, I did have my Chocolate, and the pictures turned out not half-bad!

Fountain at center of estate.


Fountain in front of the mansion.


Front of the mansion. When the state flag is raised, the governor is in residence.


The main staircase is one of the highest straight home staircases in South Carolina.


View of the Large Drawing Room. One of the pictures in this room is of Governor Sanford with President Bush (who autographed the photo) aboard Air Force One.


One of the oldest artifacts in the mansion, this is one of two chairs in the Large Drawing Room that once belonged to King George.


The State Dining Room, featuring 22 deerfoot armchairs and a mahogany table that extends over 20 feet.


Battleship Silver as seen in the State Dining Room. It came from the USS South Carolina and its custodians are the South Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution.


The Palmetto Dining Room, with American landscapes such as Niagara Falls and New York Harbor depicted on the wallpaper.


Portrait of Governor Sanford in the Library. One of the smaller pictures below it shows Jenny Sanford with Michelle Obama and Jill Biden.