The Return Home

All good things must come to an end. I guess....well...at least for this vacation. Our final day was fun, sad, and tiring. During the morning I got one final short run in and a quick walk to the beach to view it. The tide the night before had become very strong due to the hurricane that is moving up the coast. It made a big pool by the area we would walk to and from the beach. No swimming was aloud due to the strong rip current. But we still made the best of it.

I took a walk with Jordan, Jill, and Jake to the pier one last time. Jill enjoyed a pushup pop while we strolled to the end of the pier. On our way back in, Jill and Jake played a few games to gather up some tickets for a prizes. We walked away with a handful of candy, a few army men, and some rings.

The girls enjoyed some final pool time while Jake and I worked on our final castle. Actually, Jake did this one and I enjoyed watching him build it. Once completed, it was time to head to the room and start packing.

After some quick showers, Jake and I started loading the car a little at a time. All during the week he always made an attempt to hold open the door for everyone getting on and off the elevator. There was even one time, an older fellow who was walking up the beach stairs ahead of us, had dropped a sandal. Jake quickly ran to it and picked it up. A nice act of kindness...even though he is a whirlwind most others!

The car was loaded and we headed out around 230pm, an earlier time than usual. We said our goodbye's and headed home.

Good-bye palm trees.
Good-bye beach.
Good-bye sand.
Good-bye bridge with frogs.
Good-bye sunny beach sky.
Good-bye miniature golf.
Good-bye to the sounds of the beach......until next time.

We stopped in Salem, North Carolina to stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat at Denty's....as Jillian said. Once filled up, we started home via I-95 and put Myrtle Beach in the distance.

I think I can say for everyone, this was an AWESOME trip with a bunch of good times!!!

A Final Night Out

The day went by way too quickly. It was another spectacular weather day but you can see how the storm nearing the east coast was affecting the water. Jellies started to make their appearance and there were a number of people stung while we were on the beach. Sand castles were being built and we were happy to see one last all day.

With another cool breeze blowing Jake and I put up the kite and Jillian took a turn handling it too. While we were down by the water digging more castles and enjoying the water, the kite went down and we lost one of our favorite spinner tails. We'll need to get online when we get back home and order a new one.

I enjoyed a few last moments looking out at the water and enjoying the sun. You kind of wish you can bottle it and take it home for those long winter days that are coming around the corner.

Jen made reservations at Miyabi's, a hibachi restaurant. Jordan, Jillian, Jake, Jen and I then went out to have one last nice meal before hitting the road on Friday. It was an impressive display and A LOT of food!! Needless to say we were making our way out with a filled container....and stomachs.

On our way back to Broadway at the Beach, we stopped at one of the beach stores for a few souvenirs. Hermit crabs, lizards, tiny frogs, gag gifts and every t-shirt in the world was there. With it getting later, we headed to Broadway. As we crossed into the one section, Jillian, Jordan and Jake took their turns driving tiny remote controlled water boats. We then purchased some tickets and rode the rides. The rides were fun. Jordan and I even rode the Merry Go Round...but we sat on the bench!!

Ice Cream at Ben and Jerry's was next. Jake did have a bit of a melt down again when he saw the glow stick lights. He still doesn't think he has one at home but he does. The night was warm and I think you can sense that it was time to start heading back home to bring the vacation to an end.

We headed back home where Jill and Jake went out like lights. Jen, Jordan and I went out on the balcony. Jordan impressed us with her alphabet naming game while we listened to the waves crashing.

Tommorrow.....we will be saying good-bye. Our plan is a little different this time since we are going to try leaving much earlier in the afternoon.

A View From Up High and 3-D

The morning started out hot again. Got a short run in on the beach and enjoyed the scenery. It was to be another hot day! So while the weather was still looking great we made a reservation to finally get to parasailing. Jordan, Rebecca, Jake, Jill, Joe and I jumped in the car and drove down to South Myrtle Beach where we were to launch. We slipped into our flotation jackets and stepped out onto the beach where we waited for our zodiac boat to take us out to the power boat that pulls you. Everyone was excited and couldn't wait. Joe manned the camera but little did we know we would be a bit out of view.

The jetski pulled up the boat and we climbed on. Jake was thrilled!!! They pulled us out onto the ocean across the waves. This was a great part that I didn't think would be as exciting. Everyone seemed ready as we came to a stop and waited for our boat to pull around.

Once onboard the power boat, Rebecca and Jordan were first to slip into the harnesses and step to the back of the boat. Within moments, they were up and flying high. As we toured them around Jill, Jake and I enjoyed the view from the boat. We were next. Jordan and Rebecca started to descend and as they promised, they dip you in the water!!! Once back on the boat, they were big smiles. Now we were next. Same routine. And we were up! Max height was 300 feet. From there we had a smooooth sailing. The view was SPECTACULAR!!! You can see everything. The kids were laughing as they spotted all sorts of things. The big laugh came when they dipped us. Jillian was laughing so hard!! As we came in for the landing, the group on the boat pointed to the water where we saw dolphins swimming by. The trip ended with a quick visit to the ice cream stand in downtown Myrtle Beach. Oh....and Jake finally got his civil war musket rifle and is now patrolling the area.

We did get back to get some more pool and beach time. Jake and I finally had a breeze strong enough that we would be able to get the kite up! He did great!! With the afternoon winding
down we jumped real quick into the pool to wash off the sand and got ready for our last evening together. However, Joe and Dorothy headed out to a different restaurant while we all headed to LIBERTY for dinner on the water at Broadway at the Beach. Dinner was great (kids meals came in frisbees!) and we went walking. No trip to this area would be complete without seeing KLIG and Klig's Kites. This guy who owns this place is quite the act as he stands out front singing and doing gags to lure people into his store.

The last part of the evening was spent in the IMax 3-D show learning about the sea and how loud Rebecca can sneeze! It was a really impressive 3-D movie that got us out of the crowds and warm night.

Once again....all were wiped out!

To the Pier and Back Again

Walking to the pier has become an activity the kids seem to look forward to now that they know they can either grab an Italian Ice or play a skee ball game to win tickets. Jake has also been wanting to tell the shark to "floss". As a side note, the pier is the longest on the east coast..cool.
Jordan and Rebecca want to walk out there today. We are also supposed to parasail but that is up in the air as I type this (no pun intended!)

Yesterday seemed to start catching up to everyone. Beach life can be exhilirating and fun. But it can also be extremely tiring. Jake and Jill were both up very early. Jordan and Rebecca seem to get their hours in sleeping. While Jen went to one of the conference sessions, we hit the beach and pools. Joe took a ride up to see the Battleship North Carolina. It looked like quite an impressive battleship.

Jen and Dorothy found a new restaraunt for us to try out... California Dreaming. Great quick service and big portions!! Jordan wanted crab legs but we picked a place that had crab claws. We will have to look tonight. After dinner, Jen and I took the kids to Barefoot Landing which has tons of shops and places to eat. We found an ice cream parlor and the kids got some ice-cream. As we walked around we crossed over a long brigde about 2 inches above the water and supposedly has alligators. Although Jen claims she saw one, we couldn't quite confirm the sighting.

Jen spied a few beach things to add to our beach decor in the basement, but we may have to go back today or tomorrow.

With "Calypso" by John Denver playing away, we rolled into the development singing (aka screaming) with the windows down that I am sure got some peoples attention!!

The Aebli Chicken Race

Our castle building continued today with a track that Jake put together. In the meantime, Jillian worked on her moves on the sand. Someone had recommended she put out a tip jar. The day was beautiful and the beach was the place to be.

In the evening we had dinner tickets to catch the Dixie Stampede. We attended this the last time we were in Myrtle Beach and it was really a surprise. So we took everyone out to enjoy a night of finger eating food, songs, and horseback riding tricks. When we got there, the pre-show was a great juggler who claimed his Dad was the fellow who originally appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. The kids seemed impressed....so were the adults!

We made our way inside and we had front row seats. Our server picked Jill and Jake from the crowd to be part of the show. They were on the Northern Team taking part in the chicken race!! They came up a bit short but had fun, got a medal and a book signed by Dolly Parton. We captured it on video and will post it shortly.

Upon heading back, we saw that the horses were out. It was just Jake, Jen and I so we pulled over and walked around seeing the different types of horses. I never knew there were so many different kinds.

By this time, it was getting dark and we headed back. Another great day and we were getting tired. Jake and I started to do a walk, but only got so far before we had to make a bathroom run. On the way, Jake saw a bunch of frogs and tried picking it up.....it then pee-ed in his hand...we think. So we washed it off and headed back to the room.

Jen and Dorothy had a glass of wine on the balcony while we sat around starting to wind down. I know I was exhausted and I am sure so was everyone. A good sign of a fun day.

NIGHT

The night is perfect. Right now just sitting on the balcony while
everyone is either asleep or inside. Waves are crashing down on the
beach. It's the perfect sound.

Tonight we headed back to Broadway at the Beach for dinner at Key
West. When we got there we had to move our seats since the air
conditioner was dripping down on Dorothy's spot. So we got moved to
the deck area. Turned out to be perfect. Jake and Jillian fed
massive fish and the ducks pieces of bread while we waited. It was funny to see the ducks dart around and chase down the bread.

After leaving the restaurant, Jill, Jake and Rebecca did some rock
climbing. Jordan sat this one out. Quite an impressive sight!!

When we were done we walked over the bridge to get an ice cream at Ben
and Jerry's which was Rebecca's treat. Along the way Joe picked up a
hi-Itech lazer light show pistol ( that might magically disapppear
this evening..LoL)

One other thing, during the day we walked out onto Apache Pier where all the fisherman go. First I walked out with Jake and then Jill. During my walk with Jake we got to see a shark swimming back and forth. QUITE LARGE. It was enjoying the easy food pickings, and I don't mean the swimmers. The fisherman's bait was keeping it very happy by the pier.

Once again we headed back home tired from the waves and beach fun. A good day!

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A Round A Golf and Hanging at the Hotel

Saturday was a day where the weather finally turned in our favor. Temps are starting to climb so I thought it might be a good afternoon to beat a crowd and some temps to get in a round of miniature golf at Treasure Island. So Joe, Jill, Jake and I headed out. Great course. Not only was it my turn to take a whack in the face but Jake almost got bit by something that looked like a gecko. Not sure. Gonna post the picture. Jillian swung her club high and it whacked me in the forehead..OUCH. The game ended and we raced back to the beach. The girls hung out by the pool and Jake and I floated in the ocean looking for something to catch. With goggles on, we floated and bobbed in the water with net in hand. We did manage to catch a small hermit crab in a very cool shell.

Jordan finally got her mudslide....it turned out to be a Chocolate Milk Shake!!

We came back to the room where we stayed in had a few drinks and ate some pizza which was actually pretty good. Jordan and Rebecca stayed up late into the night but were warned if they didn't hit the bed, they would be forced to get up for mass on Sunday. Out like a light!!

It was a nice change of pace. But back on track tommorrow!!!