Greenville Becomes Unanticipated Vacation Destination for Family Fleeing Tropical Storm Debby
Greenville — New York attorney Erol Gulay had meticulously planned his annual family vacation to the popular Lowcountry resort town Hilton Head Island, eight months in advance. He was set to meet up with his old friends flying in from San Francisco – a perfect summer getaway trip. However, Tropical Storm Debby stepped in and wreaked havoc, resulting in a detour to a place that was never in their itinerary – Greenville, South Carolina.
“I knew about the hurricane threat in this area in this time of year, but it’s always a low-probability event in any one given location on any given week. So I was like, it’s worth the risk,” Gulay said.
From Beaches to Greenville
As Gulay was flying into Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, he knew it was time to make alternative plans due to the impending storm. Forecast warned of heavy rainfall that could reach up to 25 inches in some areas. In preparation, Gulay made a quick online research about possible destinations. Asheville and Gatlinburg were on his mind, but Greenville somehow rang a bell. It quickly became their unanticipated Plan B.
Thus, the family made the decision to evacuate Hilton Head Island for the safety of Greenville. “It made sense to just drive inland and try to get out of the path of the storm,” said Gulay.
An Unexpected Delight
Greenville, although not the original vacation destination, delighted the family with its offerings. “We decided to check out Main Street last night as our first excursion, and it was beautiful – Tree-lined streets, lots of restaurants, lots of attractions. As we were planning the adventure, figuring out what we should do, I was struck with how many options there are,” said Gulay.
To their surprise, Greenville offered a variety of attractions. The family found an Airbnb within just 5 minutes of downtown, dined at Sticky Fingers on Main Street, and made plans to explore the local parks and Children’s Museum. The unexpected detour due to the storm had turned into an exciting, fresh experience for everyone involved. Despite an unfortunate situation, the kids managed to keep a positive outlook on the unexpected vacation change. “They are resilient and willing to pivot,” he added.
Adapting to Mother Nature
Tropical Storm Debby’s influences were felt acutely by vacationers all along the coast who had to adapt their plans on the fly. Gulay’s family and friends’ abrupt shifted plans serve as an example of how families must adapt, sometimes with optimistic results.
In the end, the Gulays and their friends discovered a new vacation spot, found fortitude amidst adversity, and most importantly, stayed safe throughout the storm – emphasizing that no matter what Mother Nature has planned, resilience and adaptability can always unearth a silver lining.
