Murrells Inlet lies South of the city of Myrtle Beach, straddling Horry County and to the South, Georgetown County. To the West, it borders the wild and beautiful Waccamaw River, a slow, deep river with abundant flora and fauna, especially the South’s famed live oak trees that drip Spanish moss. Murrells Inlet is a quintessential sleepy little fishing village with a population around 8,000. It has a down-to-earth feel and a true home-town vibe. People are friendly, everyone seems to know everyone else’s name, and if you’re new to the area, you’ll soon feel amongst old friends. It’s alive with local stories and legends, both recent and long past. (Visit www.coastalinsider.com and search for “Captain Jim.”) The infamous pirate Blackbeard, as well as less legendary ones, used the tidal creeks of the inlet to ensconce their ships from the eyes of the law for around 200 years. Those same creeks today, rife with marsh grass and home to an abundance of aquatic life, are what lend Murrells Inlet so much of its charm. There is a lot of nature in this 7.5 square mile area, and a distinct feeling of peace permeates. The area’s shops, restaurants, and houses are quaint. It is rich with history and culture. It is a bird-watchers paradise, a fisherman’s sanctuary, a nature-lovers boon, and a seafood-lover’s heaven.