wildtoad wrote:
Many of us who live in SC actually have no use for MB. Growing up in the 60’s, 70’s MB was still a small town, and you could do just about anything you wanted with zero trouble, especially in the off season. Summertime the town ballooned with out-of-towners But we knew they were there to have fun and spend lots of money which the town depended on for survival. Then the local government started to lose control of the town, or perhaps encouraged, to the developers and from there, all was lost. Now as many of you know if you come in on 501, during the summer traffic can back up to Conway, or further back. Some here in SC have been pushing for a new interstate from I think Charlotte to MB which does not have the infrastructure required to absorb it. It would be a good evac route in a storm though. There are plenty of nice areas both above and below MB that are much nicer and if you have a hankering for tourist stores, activities, chain restaurants, they are just a few miles away, and then you can return to some piece and quiet.
I recall the '70s, traveling to MB from Ontario for a long weekend between work shifts. It was an easy drive and the State Park was rarely crowded when we showed up, usually early to mid-Spring. Personal safety was never given a first thought, let alone a second one. Times have changed. Last time we were there, we were amazed at how it's become a sprawling city with all the trappings. Used to be fun, now it seems a little too chaotic for us. We've changed, too, but I still think they lost the plot somewhere along the line, as you suggest.
