PHOTO CONTRIBUTED THE DRESSERS' AND PADEN S ' 1930 camping trip to the beach was a two-family effort. Pictured , from left, were Billy Paden, Mrs. Georgia Dresser, Alvin Dresser, Kenneth Dresser, Phil Dresser, Mrs. Lee Paden, Lucille Dresser (Blake), Harrell Paden and Jimmy Paden. 1 930 Camping Trip Meant Work, Resulting in Many Fond Memories BY LUCILLE BLAKE ? n June of 1930 my father, Ken I neth Dresser, and Mr. Lee Pa JE-den decided to take llieir fami lies and go on a camping and fish ing trip to Holden's Beach. In those days there was no paved road from U.S. 17 to the beach, there was no inland waterway and, of course, no bridge. To get from the mainland over the marsh to the beach, there was a rickety wooden walkway with a hand railing. On Friday, Mama and Mrs. Paden spent the day cooking. They baked cookies, made bread and oth er goodies to carry with us. After work on Friday afternoon we would load provisions and families and head down U.S. 17. When we got to the dirt road leading to the beach, there was deep sand in places and the cars would get stuck. All but the driver would get out and push. (Sometimes the driver had to push.) First one car and then the other. After that we would ride until we got stuck again and then repeat the process. When we reached the end of the road the fun (?) began. There were six children and four adults ? some times five when Grandma Wingo was visiting. Remember, we had to take food, water for drinking, lan terns, cooking utensils, soap, tow els, toilet paper, sheets to sleep on, eamp cots for the adults (the chil dren slept on the sand), and more things I can't remember. We would go single-file across the walkway with the adults at the head and end and in between in case the children had trouble. All of us carried something, even the five year-olds. The men always had to make two trips or more. They had 4 Remember, we had to take food, water for drinking, lanterns, cooking utensils , soap, towels, toilet paper, sheets to sleep on, camp cots ... and more things I can 't remember. ' to have two chests of ice for the fish they always caught. Despite the hard work, we had fun. There were beautiful shells to be picked up. Sunrises, sunse;s and moonrises were never to be forgot ten. The high sand dunes alwjys gave us pleasure ? run up and slide down. Our father always took the time to give us swimming lessons. The only building on the beach was a big open-ended shed the fish ermen used in the fall. There was a pump to be used for washing dish es, cleaning fish and washing the sand off our bodies. Today, all that is gone, and beau tiful summer homes sit side by side. There are limited access areas to the strand. In 1930, the men would walk to the Shaliotte Inlet to fish. There was an old cart road there then. Now it is a private road and, unless you are privileged to own property there, you can't use it. Such is progress... Lucille Blake grew up in the Wood burn community near Leland. She serves on the Leland Town Council. Timothy P. Gibble, M.D. Adult Medicine Board Certified Internist Susan Gibble, PA-C Physician Assistant Complete Adult Medicine Care New Patients Welcome 754 8921 Convenient to The Biunswick Hospital RenyJsAny Old Thing A unique collection of both past and present Hwy. 130 At Waccamaw River In Ash (919)287-3182 or 800-424-6286 Christmas Shop and full gift line plus limited edition artworks 'Torn Clark Gnomes 'Sarah's Allic 'David Winter 'Raikes 'Cat's Meow 'Lowell Davis 'Precious Moments 'Hununels 'Department 56 ?Miss Martha Originals 'Whitley Bay 'Snow Babies 'Maude Humphrey Bogart 'Jan Hagara 'Rowe Pottery 'Alex Haley Remembers 'Memories of Yesterday 'Fenton Glass Use our 800 number it you are outside our telephone exchange. ?i;iS :k ' . |? 'PS Security Systems Residential Commercial ? Industrial ?Burglar Alarms ?Fire Alarms ?Closed Circuit TV -Central Vac ?Sound & Intercom Professional Sound & Security Licensed in North & South Carolina Call John Schwab (91 9)754-5333or (803)399-9999 3769 Sea Mountain Hwy., Little River, SC 29566 PELEN, inc. Palmetto Electronics & Engineering C199? THE BRUNSWICK DEACON ?.y-^yy.yyyyj.'.^yyy.yyy.y.y.\yyyyyy-'^.yyyy^.yy,-.'.'WAi>j--\^'.^.Wi BEACH COTTAGES ISLAND HOMES y? imhh; fSB! Bins __ * w -l f VON! r ?r s i p 5ALTE50X 1230-3 V Pi [**.*> ? Mm^r Ui?M ? MfOMJ Ut'CA ^4)*, I ft For cottages that reflect the carefree, simple A relaxed lifestyle of coastal living. Duplex or Single Family styles, from ?>44 to 1960 s.f. Affordable Custom Hans. Portfolio of plans only $'/() call now... 1-&00-233-0291 (Voice or WD) VISA A MAf-jll KCAKD COASTAL DESIGNS for coastal living