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Taking the "Old" Road

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Free Spirit
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4 out of 5
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Along Hwy 17--Taking the "Old" Road

  • August 4, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Free Spirit from Hinesville, Georgia
Along Hwy 17--Taking the "Old" Road

Stretches of Hwy 17 have been widened in recent years. Sections are beautiful with overhanging oaks, Spanish moss, winding rivers, and vast marshlands washed in brilliant sunlight. Hwy 17 gives you the flavor of the Lowcountry. Approaching Charleston on 17N, shortly after the All America City sign, there's a marked road on the left that leads to Charleston's world famous gardens, which by themselves take days of touring. Continuing on Hwy 17, however, you are soon faced with another choice of which road to travel: 17N or Bypass 526, which runs around the Charleston area with exits throughout the area to include the Isle of Palms at the end of the loop. The bypass is part of Charleston's amazing connector system that did not exist when I was growing up there. Choosing again to take 17N, you pass motels and food. Have some Bessinger's Barbecue and some Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. While you are still west of the Ashley River, spend some time going to Folly Beach by taking an excursion across James Island on Hwy 171 and following the signs to the beach. Otherwise, proceeding on 17, cross the Ashley River Bridge into Charleston. If you get off 17 to spend time in the historic district, take Lockwood Drive past the yacht basin to Broad Street. Finally when you continue on 17N, cross the totally awesome Cooper River Bridge over the harbor to Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, and the Isle of Palms. When you visit the Isle of Palms, you shouldn't miss the gorgeous connector to the island and its beach. There are many ways to traverse Charleston, and I confess that the connectors have some spectacular views, but if you have time, try following Hwy 17 to get a better understanding of the area.

From journal A Nostalgic Look--Charleston Revisited

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