> Howard, your post invoked a bit of nostalgia in
> me for my childhood years growing up in the
> South. We lived down South for a total of about
> eight years, which might not seem very long,
> but they were formative years. We moved to
> South Carolina when I was two, and then to
> North Carolina when I was seven.
>
> Despite having "Nawth'ner" parents, my
> sisters and I undoubtedly picked up some of
> the language and culture of the South. I'm
> sure I got some weird looks from my
> classmates after we moved back north when I
> used expressions like "y'all" and "reckon," or
> talked about "sweet tea" or "grits." It probably
> took a few years for the Carolinas accent to
> wear off as well.
>
> What are some of my memories of living in the
> South? Let's see... tar heels... palmetto
> trees... Myrtle Beach... grits... sweet tea... the
> piedmont... Southern Baptist hospitallity...
> chitlins... Carowinds... pine bark... cicadas...
> Country Cousins pork barbecue... water
> towers that looked like peaches... our big
> black station wagon...
>
> Gri"likes grits"shny

I think the Carolinas are the South at it's best. You have everything from the mountains to the ocean. You won't find many beaches as good as those along the Carolina coast. Myrtle Beach is my favorite, and I've seen a lot of beaches.

Finding great food is really simple in the Carolinas. Just thinking about Charleston makes my mouth water. Most of the inland towns just ooze history and the people are the very friendly. I don't have any trouble understanding what they say. After I spend a little time on that side of the mountains, I come home saying No'th Ca'lina.

The Outer Banks and Grand Strand are dotted with great little beach towns where winters are mild and there is a nice breeze all summer.

I like driving over there on the coastal plain. Even on little narrow state roads, you can make good time. I guess it's the lack of curves.

We haven't planned it yet, but there is no doubt that we'll see Myrtle Beach again this summer.
Howard