Murrell's Inlet, S.C.

Murrell's Inlet is a saltmarsh, which changes every day as low tide exposes shellbanks, creeks, and mud flats. At high tide the predominant saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina altifloria) seems to make a series of islands standing in the high water. The ecology of a saltmarsh is interesting, especially the many bird species that feed on clams, crabs, shrimp, snails, minnows, and other fish. We especially enjoyed seeing pelicans, cormorants, a couple of oystercatchers, and a few other birds.

The edge of the marsh, where there are many boat docks, is crowded with bars and restaurants whose decks overlook the marsh; a boardwalk and a fishing pier offer beautiful views of the marsh and of the boats that are docked there. We have walked the boardwalk, eaten in one of the restaurants, and bought seafood at a market that's supplied by shrimpers and fishing boats out of the harbor.

Harrelson's Seafood Market was a perfect place to buy a fish dinner to eat at the condo where the six of us are staying.

In the fish case: the flounder that they filleted for us to cook at home.

Local shrimp! The market has a big pot in which they will boil your shrimp
to order. We were very delighted to have them do it. 

Ready to eat at home. Delicious.

Set table at the condo. We ate the shrimp, then I cooked the flounder so that
we could eat it immediately -- not overcooked.

Last night we ate at the Hot Fish Club, a high-rated place.
Unfortunately they kept us waiting a long time despite having
a reservation.

Lobster pot pie: their specialty. Some of us were ok with the
food; some were very disappointed. The pot pie was in
the middle of this range of reactions. Fish dishes were
overcooked.