Day 19

Day #19: Mount Pleasant, SC- Andrews, SC (48.5 miles)

This morning we dropped off our car at enterprise, and then had them drive us as far as possible.  They dropped us at a gas station in Mount Pleasant, where we got a powerade, got on our bikes, and hit the road. 

According to our maps, there would be a grocery/convenience store after about 15 miles.  However, when we reached the store called J&W’s, it didn’t seem to be open.  On google maps I could see that there was another place a few miles further, so we kept going.

The next place was most certainly not open.  It didn’t look like anyone had set foot in that store in years.  However, they still managed to have an A rating. 

At this point, we had gone about 20 miles and were ready for a break.  The closest thing was 11 miles away, so that was all we could do. 

I personally was biking pretty fast at that point.  Partially because I really had to pee, but also because there were some very threatening clouds overhead.  When we were about 4 miles away from the Kangaroo Express convenience store in Jamestown, it started raining.  We got wet, but luckily we got to the store before the thunder and lightning started too.  The rain felt refreshing except when cars going in the other direction would spray us as the drove by.

We stayed at the Kangaroo Express for a while, eating, charging our phones, and waiting for the rain/lightning to pass.  Once it cleared up a little we got back on the road with like 15 miles left.

Around 6 miles later, we approached Dale’s Country store. 

Shoutout to Cousin Dale

We decided we should stop to use the bathroom.  When we went inside, the whole family was there.  The dad was asleep, or in some sort of drug induced state, on a chair towards the front, the kids were all sitting by the pool table and jukebox in the back, and one of the older girls was behind the counter.  The strong smoke smell made it hard to breathe, so I was happy to get out of there.  It was definitely something to see though.

After that we continued to Andrews, South Carolina.

Finally, we made it to the Colonial Inn Motel. 

It cost 55 dollars, but if you want an extra towel, that costs 2 dollars, extra floor mat costs 1 dollar, and extra washcloth costs 50 cents.  Shampoo (you ask)… priceless.  In other words shampoo is not available at the Colonial Inn probably because back in colonial times they did not have shampoo. The room is spacious, and has an interesting smell.  It has a great view of a garbage can, which we didn’t have to pay extra for. 

When you turn on the bathroom light it sounds like something comes to life in the ceiling.   

  

For dinner we biked to Piggly Wiggly, a nearby supermarket, to pick up some stuff.  It was not in the best neighborhood – we were the only people not receiving government assistance, but luckily no one took our bikes.  Inside the supermarket we were like local celebrities.  I think this might be the first time anybody has visited Andrews, SC, because everyone else seemed to know each other, and could quickly tell that we were not from there (because the bikes, panniers, and clothing was not enough to give that away).  While we were picking out some food a woman said to us, “Oh you’re the bikers from earlier today.”  When my dad asked her where she passed us she said, “Oh I didn’t pass you, you guys rode by my house.”  Like I said, doesn’t sound like too many people are passing through Andrews on your average day.

As much as were enjoying the Colonial Inn Motel, which happens to be the only place for like 40 miles in either direction (trust me, we checked), were hoping to make it somewhere more mainstream tomorrow.

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

P.S.- Congrats Michal on passing your driving test! Watch out for bikers J