Sunday, October 26, 2008

Autumn Vacation 2008, Part II

One of the fun parts of traveling with R&C is that DC and his brother revert to about age 10 or 12 with each other. It is quite entertaining! While C and I sat in the back seats having deep philosophical and spiritual discussions!


After we left Columbia, we headed to Myrtle Beach. I've heard of Myrtle Beach off and on in my life, but never dreamed I'd ever be there.
There seems to be a lot to do in this town, but we didn't have time for too many tourist attractions. One thing that we noticed was a huge miniature golf course on every corner. Not to mention "real" golfing.

We were, as I mentioned in the previous post, blessed with the third floor, far right apartment in this condo for a very, incredibly low cost. We didn't spend a lot of time there, but were very glad to have the kitchen for breakfast, and good beds for rest. The only down thing - it is right on the 9-hole golf course. We had our windows open to let in the nice air and were rudely awakened by the maintenance machines EARLY in the morning. Oh, well.





Our first official act as tourists in this town was, naturally, to find a place for lunch. Very close to our place was Johnny Rocket's. It's a fun place where they give you nickels to play the juke box. We picked out a couple of fun 50's songs to enjoy as we perused the menu. Suddenly, we were startled by these two people giving us a lively rendition of one of the juke box songs - they added a bit of fun to our time there with their clapping, singing, and dancing.




DC ordered a grilled Nate's hot dog - I can't say I've ever heard of Nate's hot dogs, but it was apparently the best hot dog DC had ever eaten - he went on and on and on about it, and brought it up many more times as we would pass by Johnny's place - it became a joke after a while - it must have been really good! We never did make it back there - too many other good places to try.


We wandered around town a bit and had some silly fun --





Myrtle Beach was just a mile from our room, but we headed for Huntington Beach first - we had been told about the wild life preserve and wanted to check that out. It was such a wonderful beach - great sand, just a few people. This was a great time of the year to be there - I can only imagine how crowded it is in the height of tourist season.

This couple was having such a good time trying to get the waves to carry them in to shore --



I couldn't resist shooting some bathing beauties~~





This handsome guy caught my eye ~~


I love to watch the birds - especially this little sandpiper ~~


Then we headed into the preserve. There were many varieties of birds flying and floating and swimming around. These are some of my favorite shots ~~





There were oysters growing on the bridge pilings and on the mud. This sign explains the process.







That night we ate at Captain George's - we were looking for some good seafood. We didn't know it when we picked it, but it turned out to the be the hugest buffet I've ever seen. I can't believe I didn't get a picture. The ambience was very nice for a buffet - it looked like a huge ship. And the food was unusually good for a buffet as well. It was worth the significantly large price (which we didn't know until we got the bill - gulp!) The desserts were so beautifully displayed - I especially loved the look of the rice pudding - it had the logo of the restaurant in cinnamon on each pan of the pudding.


I can't remember the next lunch, but the second evening meal was an adventure. We had been given a recommendation for a very authentic Italian place - the recommendation came from the owner of the condo, from whom we were renting. He had a last name that would make you tend to take his advice. Not our guys! They didn't like the look of the place. They didn't like that we were the first car there. C, who is usually not so bold and insistent, jumped out of the car and headed for the door. I followed her, and the guys had to follow or leave us there and go somewhere else. Funny! It turned out to be a very good place (though Italian is definitely not my favorite). It turned out it was a very good thing we were the first ones there - by the time we left, it was full of golfers who filled the place with raucous talk and reiterating their golf games, I'm sure. We were very glad to be finished, but it was pleasant up until then. It was definitely a local favorite.


Coming Soon - Part III - On to Brookgreen Gardens

19 comments:

someone else said...

Oh.my.goodness!! Those two pictures of the men who shouldn't be let out of the house in swim trunks are incredible. What were they thinking???

Nancy said...

Dawn~ This is so much fun reading all about your trip. You put a smile on my face several times, as I thought about DC and his brother acting like they were 12, talking about the hot dog (I even got to hear that story), and then the funny photo of you two. Just precious... I don't know how I've missed Huntington Beach all of these years. I will have to check it out the next time I go. Holden Beach (where we go now), is about 45 minutes north of Myrtle Beach. I look forward to your next post.

I hope you have a great week! Blessings!

Nancy said...

Dawn~ Is that a DUCK behind that handsome man with the black socks on? It's a little to the left of the lady in the chair. It looks like a duck! So funny, and you told me Kristen got her sense of humor from DC!

Sherry said...

I couldn't tell if you were talking about the picture of the larger man right above DC's picture or Mr DC himself when you were talking about the handsome man...just kidding.

Luke and I were supposed to go there for our honeymoon, but at the last minute it fell through, we'd love to try to go another time though. Looks like a great place to spend a vacation!

Luke and I have been craving a hike with Uncle Dwight lately.

Nancy said...

Dawn~ I couldn't go to sleep last night for laughing about that photo. It must be a kids toy.

That man with black socks and shoes, is one of my 27 cousins, that I told you about! Cousin Billy Bob, he's the family fashion consultant and our personal physical trainer! I'm still laughing this morning. Too funny! Have a great week!

Susan said...

Glad you're getting away and having a good time and break from the stress.

For some reason my "Follower" is not showing me when you post. What's with that?!!!
Susan

Mary said...

Dawn,

I love your photos of the birds and the oysters. I have never been to Myrtle Beach but this makes me want to go. It looks like a lovely place. You were lucky to have the condo.

When we took the boys to Florida in January, we stopped at the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky. It's just across the river from Cinncinati and there is a Johnny Rockets on the levee. Dwight and I had been there before but it was a great experience for the boys. They couldn't believe you could play a jukebox for a nickel. There food is good too.

Take care, my friend and have a great week. I hope you and Kristen have caught up on your rest.

Blessings,
Mary

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Such a fabulous time!! you shot some great photos and your hotel was beautiful! I am so glad you had such a wonderful time!

And no, I can't imagine what it's going to be like when the Teeny Tiny Twins start walking. LOL! Fun times ahead!

Sam said...

Hi Dawn!

Great photos! It sounds like it was such a wonderful trip. I've never been to Myrtle Beach but now I really want to go sometime! It sounds like a really fun vacation spot!

It's fun reading all the details about this trip.

Thanks for the heads up about Kristen's latest post a few days ago. I finally have a new one up myself! :-)

Have a wonderful week, Dawn!

Sam said...

Hi Dawn

In answer to your question, my sister's kids are adopted. They're from Kazakhstan. She and her husband adopted them both when they were about 6 months old. Our family is so blessed to have them--I can't imagine life without them! :-)

Needled Mom said...

What a wonderful place to visit. It all looks so relaxing and beautiful.

I have to say that I admire someone who will put on trunks and be out on the beach when they have those bodies. I would probably spend those wonderful days in my room. As they say, "be happy with who you are."

Can't wait to see the next episode.

Robin said...

What a wonderful, relaxing time away! I'm experiencing "re-entry" today - and it's no fun at all!

nancygrayce said...

What a wonderful trip. Beautiful place to stay and I always love the bathing beauty pictures! :)

Carole Burant said...

I've heard of Myrtle Beach but had no idea what it was like...sounds like a fun place to be:-) I so enjoyed reading about your time there and seeing all the beautiful pictures! The ummmm...bathing beauties....didn't you have a robe to cover them up with??? hehe Food is always such a big part of a vacation and I'm glad you were able to go to some really nice restaurants. I would have really enjoyed that wildlife preserve!! xoxo

Christa said...

Sounds like you had an interesting time and lots of fun. No comment on the dudes (?), there's plent like that in Calif.

Nadine said...

What a nice condo. Beautiful place to spend vacation.

BTW - Thanks for the pictures, especially the "bathing beauties."

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I've never been as far East as Myrtle Beach or even NC, but I'd love to go someday. Even the bathing beauties wouldn't keep me off the beach or out of the water, LOL. I make a sight in a swimsuit and I just plain old couldn't care less what other people think.

I'm really enjoying your trip vicariously, Dawn. I envy you all that fresh seafood too!

Have a great rest of your week, Dawn. :o)

Love and hugs,

Diane

Jess said...

Sounds like your trip was busy..bust fun and the food was good! The condo looked nice!

Hope you have a good rest of the week!

Barb said...

It's the man in the shoes and black socks that make me laugh out loud.

My favorite photo? The sandpiper. Wonderful beach photos, Dawn. Sigh.