Shem Creek - A seafood-lover's paradise!

Pawley’s Island up the coast was the only S.C. resort to make the ‘Affordable Beach Resorts’ list this time around, so congratulations!

Just south of Myrtle Beach is Evans Pelican Inn, an informal antebellum beach house. All nine of the simple rooms have ceiling fans and screened windows to make the most of the salty sea breeze (there is air-conditioning, too).

The Southern-style breakfast includes biscuits, grits, and crab salad. The inn fills up fast during the summer months, but spring is actually the most pleasant time to go, because average temperatures range between 68 and 83 and the humidity is low.

The best way to see this narrow barrier island, which is squeezed between a salt marsh and the Atlantic, is by bicycle. Rent one from Pawleys Island Beach Service (10570 Ocean Hwy.; 843/237-4666) and spend the day exploring. Travel + Leisure also suggests checking out weavers at the nearby Hammock Shop.

The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism has launched a new Web site devoted specifically to the Palmetto State’s 200 miles of coastline. The site is so new in fact that it took a minute to load, and when it did, it just redirected to a sub-domain off their existing site. Here’s the direct link: SCPRT’s new beach site.

The Web site at www.SCBeaches.travel provides up-to-date travel information on three distinct areas – the Lowcountry and Resort Islands, Historic Charleston and Myrtle Beach & the Grand Strand – along with interactive games for kids, weather, maps and a photo album.

Using keyword research, SCPRT has organized the new site in a way to make it more accessible to the Internet search engines that millions of consumers use when looking for unique, fun and affordable beach trips. It also provides the state’s tourism partners on the coast with a clear portal for their consumer message.

SCBeaches.travel is the latest in a series of Web sites created and maintained by SCPRT. The others include the state’s official tourism site at www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com, the Web site of the S.C. State Park Service at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com and specialized offerings such as www.SouthCarolinaGolf.com, www.SavorSouthCarolina.com and www.CarolinaGirls.travel.

The state tourism agency also maintains sites designed specifically for cellphones and other handheld devices. They are www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.mobi and www.SouthCarolinaParks.mobi. They contain key information about South Carolina attractions, events, lodging, shopping, dining, golf courses and state parks.

_{Now I know why my logs have been showing so many hits for “South Carolina beaches” lately.}