Highway 17 / Charleston, SC to Savannah, GA

   Sometimes, the key to a good roadtrip is wandering off the beaten path. 
   Choose a random exit to explore. 
   Slip away from the busy interstate and the traffic.
   Find a highway that's heading in the same direction and enjoy the scenic route.

   On a recent roadtrip to Florida, driving down the east coast, I decided to do a little exploring of my own. After an overnight detour to Charleston, South Carolina, I chose to avoid the interstate for as long as possible, and I found myself on Highway 17.
   Highway 17 is basically the scenic route between the charming southern cities of Charleston and Savannah. Crossing through the beautiful Low Country, the highway is filled with natural beauty and hidden treasures.
   An abundance of live oaks decorates the roadside, giving it that magical southern charm. The long, arching limbs of the massive trees create interesting shadows along the ground, while the Spanish moss dangling from the branches gives off a mystical glow as the sunlight creeps through. These ancient giants probably hold many, many stories of days gone by.
   Roll down the window and breathe in the slightly salty air, a reminder that this route is never far from the Atlantic coast.

   As you drive through the tiny town of Yemassee, South Carolina, you'll pass by the Carolina Cherry Company, a former Low Country gas station that has become a bakery filled with some of the south's secret recipes.
   As advertised through multiple signs, their pies are fresh-baked daily and filled with local ingredients. The apple pie is delicious; I know this from experience.

   A few miles further lies a hidden treasure from the days of the American Revolution, the ruins of Old Sheldon Church.
   The old church has had an unfortunate history of fire and destruction. According to historical markers, the church was originally known as Prince William's Parish and built in the mid-1700's. It was burned down by the British in the American Revolution, rebuilt in 1826, and burned down again during the Civil War in 1865.
   All that remains is a collection of broken walls and ghostly columns.

   A few miles from the Georgia state line, just before reaching Savannah, I discovered the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, another hidden gym of natural beauty. Over 33,000 acres, the highlight of the refuge is the Lauren Hill Wildlife Drive. This 4-mile drive through the swamps and wetlands offers numerous pull-offs and short trails for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
   My favorite part of this drive through nature was all of the opportunities for sighting alligators. Some were easy to spot, while others required my eyes to do some intense searching.

   Taking the scenic route definitely paid off on this adventure along Highway 17.