Friday, September 27, 2013- Myrtle Beach

Wednesday morning after walking the beach we went out to some of the nearby stores.  Hamerick's is a large store with racks and racks of clothing, a bit overwhelming for me.  I didn't buy any clothes but in the housewares area I picked up a few items.  Orvis is a nice store with good quality sporty clothing- I usually just look but I did find a quilted vest on sale that I bought.  Wednesday night was a rainy night.
Tom was to go golfing early Thursday morning but when we woke up it was still raining and it was questionable but the guys decided to go to the course anyway and as it turned out the rain stopped so the golfing was done.  While he was gone I did take the morning beach walk and then spent time sitting around talking with the other golf widows.  Those of us not golfing decided that tonight we would go out for a seafood dinner as a group.  Time was spent deciding on what restaurant to go to and finally we decided on the "Noizy Oyster".  What a great find that restaurant was.  Crab cakes were some of the best and then we learned the secret- the owner/cook was originally from Maryland (Manchester).  A great meal with good company.  Bruce and Cricket McGinnis had stopped by earlier in the afternoon to visit with everyone.   The McGinnis' were once motorhome owners but recently sold that as their life now in Florida had taken on new interests.
Today, Friday, Tom and I went to a Greek Festival at St. John's Greek Orthodox church.  This festival started yesterday and will continue through Sunday.  We purchased some pastries to bring back to the motorhome- and they were very good.  We ate lunch of chicken gyro, Greek salad and potatoes as we listened to a trio playing and singing Greek music.  Vendors selling an assortment of goods as jewelry, candles, clothing items and food items were in tents around the grounds.  At 1pm we were able to go into the church as the priest gave a talk about the church.  The walls and ceiling of the church were beautifully paint with Biblical scenes.  Today when we walked to the pier at the state park the far end of the pier was roped off to allow only fishermen that were fishing for Mackerel in a tournament but we didn't see any of these fish being caught.  Nearly every evening we see professional photographers taking pictures of families, couples or individuals on the beach by the pier.  One evening a young lady dressed in a wedding gown was having pictures taken with the gown dragging through the surf and sand.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013- Myrtle Beach

After a rainy night we awoke Sunday to gray skies and cool air, but no rain.  The Traveling American gang had planned a breakfast for Sunday morning with everyone adding to the menu of eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon and fruit.  Tom and I then went to the nearby flea market for about a half an hour and then to the movies.  We saw "The Family" with Robert Deniro and Michelle Pfeiffer- a somewhat disappointing movie with these actors.  We're beginning to rethink going to any r-rated movie when the last 2 that we saw would not have had a dialogue if the big 'f'' word was taken out.  From the movie we we walked to a Mexican restaurant in Market Commons, "Nacho Hippo" and had a nice meal of tacos that were a little different from most- chicken with mango, spicy shrimp.
Monday morning the clouds were gone and bright blue clear skies.  The air had a feel of fall crispness.  We took a short walk on the beach and then gathered our beach stuff and went out on the beach for a few hours.  In the evening we walked along the beach to the pier at the state park and then walked out on the pier before buying ice cream cones and returning back to the campground.  Beautiful evening for walking with the sunsetting.
Today, Tuesday, Tom and I again walked to the state park pier and back after breakfast.  We then drove north to Calabash, N.C. which is directly north of North Myrtle Beach.  We ate lunch at Captain Nance's.   Calabash seafood is most always fried which is what we had -Tom had a flounder, shrimp, deviled crab with baked potato and cole slaw and I had shrimp and deviled crab with the same sides as Tom- and, of course, hush puppies were also served.  The best part was our 2 meals together was less then $20.00.  And we had plenty to eat!  We bought some fresh shrimp at the dock for $5.00 a pound to bring back to the motorhome. Callahans is a big gift shop in Calabash that we had to wander through and I had to buy 2 turtles (the pecan, caramel, chocolate ones) for our dessert.  Returning to the campground we had a new neighbor, Art Welsh, another Traveling American that will be staying for this last week.  Later in the evening we walked to the pier and then out on the pier and returned to the campground as it was getting dark.

Saturday, September 21, 2013- Myrtle Beach

Today, Saturday, Tom and I drove south to Pawley's Island stopping at some of the little shops and just browsing.  We then came up to Murrell's Inlet and ate lunch at Creek Ratz.

From 2013-09-21

From 2013-09-21

 Beautiful day for sitting out on the deck of the restaurant enjoying our food.  I had a shrimp po' boy that had enough shrimp for 2 sandwiches- I shared with Tom.  Tom had a cheesesteak sandwich which was also quite ample. We did walk about the area.  A car show in one of the parking lots had some nice looking cars on display.  After returning to the campground and resting for a while we did walk out on the beach.  (Our beach walking had been placed on hold since Tom developed a blister on the bottom of his foot after walking on the beach in a pair of Croc-type shoes and later playing golf several days ago. It is getting better so we thought we would try a short beach walk.)  As we were walking out to the beach another couple, John and Michelle, from the Traveling American Camping club drove by, stopped to talk a bit and then moved on.  John and Michelle are staying in a cabin in the campground as they no longer own an RV.  We will be seeing more of them tomorrow as we are planning to have breakfast together in the morning.  The clouds have moved in this evening and rain is predicted for tonight and tomorrow morning.  We have been so lucky to have the nice weather during our stay here that a little rain is nothing for us to complain about.

Friday, September 20, 2013 Myrtle Beach

Tuesday, Tom spent some time cleaning the outside of the motorhome.  In the evening, the gang went to an Italian restaurant to celebrate Rita Fordham's 70th birthday.  The food was good and the socializing even better.  A delicious chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and icing was the finishing touch on a fun evening.
Wednesday, a repairman from Saf-T- Glass came to repair our windshield that got a chip on the way down here.
Thursday, Tom and I met a school classmate of mine at Gordon Biersch Pub Brewery for lunch.  Faye Copenhaver and I were classmates all through school and she is now living in the North Myrtle Beach area.  It was a nice get together talking about the past and catching up on our lives.  In the evening, the gang assembled for a fajita potluck dinner. Fajitas, black beans, chips and salsa followed by a dessert of pineapple upside down cake.  Yummy!!
Today, Friday, Tom and I went to the Tanger Outlets. The Croc shoe outlet was our first stop with both of us getting flipflops.  Then we roamed around stopping at various stores and ending at the VF outlet.  In the evening we went to Broadway at the Beach, another shopping, dining and entertainment area.  We decided to eat dinner at Carlos and Charleys, a chain restaurant that we had seen numerous places and had not eaten at.  We were very disappointed in our meal- this was the first Mexican? restaurant that we had been to that did not have chips and salsa unless they were paid for extra, the beans were more like baked beans and the portions small for the cost of the meal.  Tom voiced our displeasure but the only response we got was because this location only had 4 months of good business they had to manage this way.  Sorry but we ate at Johnny Rockets in this same location earlier in this month and found good prices for good food.

Monday, September 16, 2013- Myrtle Beach

A few days have passed since I last posted a blog so I will attempt to catch up.  On Wednesday (9/11) we loaded up the grandkids and their "stuff" and drove a little more than 200 miles north where we met up with Todd ( their dad, our son).

From 2013-09-11

From 2013-09-11

 After eating lunch at Cracker Barrel the kids continued on north to their home with their dad and we returned to Myrtle Beach.  We did return in time to go out to dinner at P.F. Chang's with the gang here.  A nice dinner with adult conversation- how refreshing after 10 days of being with little ones.
Thursday, Tom and I attended to errands- car washing, a haircut for me, WalMart shopping and then a lunch at Gordon Biersch brewery in the Market Commons.
 Friday, Tom went golfing with Bill Fordham, Jeff Albert, and Ed Perry.  Woody and Linda Woodruff took Anni Albert, Barb Perry and me along on a shopping trip to a flea market and pottery store.  A round cake pan  for to use in the micro/convection oven and a small electric chopper to replace one at home were my purchases.  Unfortunately, the cake pan was to large (14-inch) but Tom and I returned the pan and got a 12-inch that was the perfect fit for the oven.  In the evening Tom and I drove to Murrell's Inlet having dinner at Dirty Dog Saloon- beautiful evening for having dinner on an outside dining area.  Before leaving the area we walked out on a pier.
Saturday, Tom and I drove around Myrtle Beach.  We are planning to be down here in November in a timeshare unit and wanted to see just where that was located.  We then had lunch at Fiesta Mexicana.
Sunday, we spent here at the campground.  We like to walk on the beach in the morning which we did.  It had been hot here until Saturday when the temperature cooled down to lower 80's during the day and upper 60's at night.  I brought a piece of pork to make pulled pork along and had suggested to have a pot luck dinner on Sunday with the pork being the main course.  So about 6pm we assembled, ate and then sat around enjoying one another's company.
Today, Monday, Tom again has gone golfing with the guys.  I have spent the morning reading.  We have had a little shower of rain this morning.  This is the first rain that we've had since we've been down here.  I received a text message from Todd about a shooting at the Navy Yard in Washington this morning.  When I started to write this blog talking about Wednesday, September 11 memories of the events on that date in 2001 came to mind and then I hear of another incident today.  At lunchtime Rita Fordham, Judy Rush, Anni Albert and I went out to lunch at Toffino's Bakery and Deli.  We had lunches of sandwiches and then bought pastries to take "home".  I had bought a Napolean which I shared with Tom in the evening which was very good.

Myrtle Beach, Tuesday September 10, 2013

Monday morning started with breakfast of eggs, pancakes and bacon with the Traveling American gang.  It was nice spending some time with this group as we have not had too much contact as we have been so involved with Parker and Gabi.  After breakfast we went to the pool area for a couple hours.  We had lunch in the motorhome followed by afternoon naps.  We then drove into the commercial area of Myrtle beach.  A  ferris wheel, 187 feet high, called the Sky Wheel that had cars in which we were totally enclosed in air conditioning was our first stop.  We did walk about the boardwalk in this downtown area before heading out the a shopping plaza called "Broadway on the Beach".  We ate supper at "Johnny Rockets" restaurant and were entertained by the waiters and waitresses dancing to "oldies music".  Afterwards we walked about this Plaza.  Crossing over a bridge, the kids were attracted to the ducks in the water and then noticed the fish and had to have some food to feed the fish.  A little carousel with 3 carousel horses was another attraction and a family with 1 boy invited Parker and Gabi to ride  and then we paid for a second ride for the 3.

Today, Tuesday, we again went to the pool in the morning, had lunch and naps. Another Traveling American, Ed and Barb Perry, motorhome pulled into the campground this afternoon.  "Mr. Woody" came over to the motorhome in the afternoon to give a private magic show to the kids which they seemed to enjoy along with Tom and me.

From 2013-09-10 Myrtle Beach

From 2013-09-10 Myrtle Beach

 After supper we walked to the beach and the kids had a great time playing in the surf.  This is the last day that the kids will be here as we will be meeting their daddy in North Carolina for their return home.

From 2013-09-10 Myrtle Beach

From 2013-09-10 Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, September 8, 2013

Saturday morning we returned to the pool area with Parker and Gabi.  We made some progress getting the kids into the big pool with us holding them.  Gabi was jumping into my hands from the steps into the pool but Parker was more hesitant. After returning from the pool we dressed and went out to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch.  Gabi fell asleep for a short nap before getting to the restaurant but that didn't interfer with her afternoon nap after returning to the motorhome.  Morning swimming wears out the kids and old folks alike causing everyone to snooze in the afternoon.  An attempt was made at kite flying in the evening but was not too successful.

Today, Sunday, another morning at the pool.  We played for a spell in the big pool and then with much coaxing finally got the kids on an inner tube in the "lazy river".  Tom had both kids on a double inner tube.  Gabi was the first one to get on and then Parker finally decided to give it a try.  Needless to say, after several circuits on the "river" and feeling it was time to leave they were hooked and didn't want to get back on land.  But lunchtime was calling so we had to leave.  A barbeque trailer in the campground was the answer to lunch.  We picked up lunch from the trailer and took it to the motorhome to eat.  Tom and I had pulled pork with slaw, baked beans and a dirty rice dish, the kids had barbeque chicken with fries and slaw.  This evening Tom successfully tried getting the kite up in the air out on the beach while the kids played in the surf.

Myrtle Beach, Friday, September 6, 2013

Yesterday, Thursday, we spent another day at the beach in the morning and then naps in the afternoon.  Playing on the beach in the hot sun makes little kids and grandparents tired.  In the evening we started to walk to the play ground and then realized it was just too far for Gabi to walk, and probably Parker, that Tom got the Jeep and we then rode.  Squirrels were chasing one another through the trees by the playground that was entertaining to the kids.

Today, Friday, we spent the morning at the pool.  There is a pool with a foot of water that Parker seemed to be most comfortable playing.  A lazy river that meanders around the pool area where one can float on inner tubes was more Tom and my speed.  We wanted Parker to ride along with Tom but he wouldn't do.  The larger pool, only 4 feet deep at the deepest, was too much for Parker but Gabi enjoyed being carried around by Tom or me.  We wanted Parker to get in with us like Gabi but he just refused.  Again after a late lunch everyone sacked out for a spell.  Today it is a little more pleasant with few degrees cooler temperatures and less humidity.

From 2013-09-06 Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, Wednesday, September 4, 2013

We enjoyed the past weekend celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Traveling Americans.  There was quite a turnout for this event with current members as well as several past members.  Like all of our get togethers there was great food and conversations.
Sunday afternoon Todd, Beth and the kids stopped down for a visit and left Parker and Gabi with us.  These 2 little ones were going along to Myrtle Beach in the motorhome.  This was their first stay in the motorhome.  On Monday morning, Labor Day, we packed up and headed south for about 200 miles.  We stopped in Selma, N.C. for the night.  Then Tuesday we finished our travels to Myrtle Beach.  It was a little tiresome for Parker and Gabi but overall they didn't do too bad.  Parker, especially, was excited to be going to the Beach.  After getting into PirateLand Campground we went to a couple local stores to get bathing suits for the kids and beach toys.  It was really hot and humid and then we had a thunderstorm which cooled things down a little.  Presently, there are 7 units parked together from the Traveling Americans club.  Some will stay for a month and others lesser time and 1 unit will be joining us later.  Since we are the only ones with little ones we will devote our attention to Parker and Gabi for the period that they will be with us.

From 2013-09-03 Myrtle Beach

Today, Wednesday, we spent about 3 hours on the beach.  It is another hot, humid day.  Parker had a great time playing in the water.  Gabi was more leery of the waves but would stand out in the surf holding on to Tom or me. Parker had been to a beach 2 years ago but this was Gabi's first time.  After eating a late lunch we all feel asleep.  It's hard work playing on the beach.

From 2013-09-04 Myrtle Beach

From 2013-09-04 Myrtle Beach

From 2013-09-04 Myrtle Beach

From 2013-09-04 Myrtle Beach

From 2013-09-04 Myrtle Beach