intothedeep
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I have a few pages of backreading to do, but I wanted to share my morning with y'all first. I finally decided to venture over to PTL. I've been on the fence about whether or not to go. Part of what's been holding me back is that I don't want to be a "rubbernecker," and as such, show disrespect to the family and friends of sweet Heather. Another reason is that like most of you, I've learned to love, not only Heather, but the entire Elvis family, and I knew it was going to be such a heavy thing to do. Well, I was out having breakfast, and afterwards, I took a right, instead of the (normal) left, out of the parking lot. I just found myself driving over to Socastee. I guess my heart decided it was time.
It was early, but the tip tent was being set up at the swing bridge. I drove to the landing and that drive down PT Road felt significantly different to me this morning, than at any time in the past. I got a small smile on my face when I saw the camera at the Pixie Dust Estate. I didn't stop or get out, but coming and going, I wondered if it would have actually caught any traffic on the road. It seems to be aimed downward, directly at where a car would pull into the driveway at the gate.
At the landing, and crossing the swing bridge, I noticed that the water was beautifully glassy this morning. The sun is finally back out and there's very little wind. It was eerily quiet at the landing for a loooong 30 seconds; then the dogs started barking! At one of the trailers, that overlooks PTL, there was a kennel, with at least 2 dogs in it. My husband and I weren't making any noise, but those dogs saw us and barked at us the rest of the time we were there...which was about half an hour. For us, that ruled out drowning or anything that may have caused a struggle or commotion. We were SO QUIET, but those dogs knew we were there. I stood where I believe Heather's car was parked and tried to look around through her eyes. It was just such an eerie feeling being there. I was hoping she would speak to me or offer a clue somehow. Finally, I placed a single flower with the other flowers, candles, and keepsakes, and left the landing. I have to say, it was so incredibly sad to place that flower, while looking Heather in the eyes (on her "missing" sign), knowing this is where she likely took her last breath.
I know this is getting long and I have so little information that could actually help, so I'll wrap it up with this last part. Coming back down PT Road, I took a left on Mill Pond Road, and then Hwy 814. I wanted to take the back roads the M's would have taken to the landing. Well, that, and it's the most direct route. My heart got heavy and full of anger as I neared that corner where the compound is. Two things about the compound, and I'm done:
1. No sighting of a white or silver Jeep Cherokee. I didn't get out of the car, but I did stop in several places and look as thoroughly as I could from the car, with the window down. I didn't want my picture taken, and with it being TM's birthday, I thought emotions might be especially high at that address today. I saw the red truck, parked next to the camper, but no Cherokee. Of course, that doesn't mean it was confiscated. It could have been in, what I believe to be, the detached garage.
2. I was surprised at how compact the "compound" really is. All of the pics, even the aerial shots, make it look compact, but in person, it's seems even more crowded. Those houses are on top of each other. That just gives me an indescribably weird feeling. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents and my in-laws, but that's WAY too close for comfort.
Okay, that's it. Sorry for the novella. I'm going to catch up on the last few pages. I hope SOMETHING I said helps SOMEBODY figure out SOMETHING. I want so badly for Heather to come home.
Thank you so much for your post. I really got a feel for the area surrounding PTL.
The chilly weather, along with your comment about the dogs make me believe even more that whatever happened at PTL Dec 18th happened inside a vehicle and quickly. I don't think there was a confrontation outdoors.
Did you happen to see anywhere close by someone could've parked unnoticed and walked to the landing? Or maybe someplace a short drive away one of the Moorers could've parked and been dropped off after PTL?
