Myrtle

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And We're Off!

So we kicked off our trip yesterday and our first stop was Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We started coming to Myrtle Beach in the early 1980's. There were no big entertainment venues, no outdoor malls or water attractions. There was the Pavilion arcade downtown with carnival rides, the beach and lots of golf courses, including mini-golf for the kids. That was pretty much it for entertainment.

Almost no restaurants took reservations, you had to stand in line for 30-45 minutes to get a table. Those were the days when you kind of got a little dressed up to go out to dinner, we never would think about wearing shorts or tees to a restaurant. We were always here in the heat of the summer and it was hot. The bars poured liquor from airplane bottles, and if you arrived on a Sunday and wanted anything alcoholic you were SOL.

A few years ago I counted how many weeks we have spent here and it's been more than half a year of our lives. Sometimes there were 30+ of us here and we all stayed in the same timeshare "hotel" and ate dinner together in Ann's parents' condo almost every night. Our children have memories from here of being with extended family that will last their lifetimes. Ann's parents took tremendous steps to bring their family together year after year and create ties that bind us all together today and will forever.

We know our way around, and definitely know how to get here from northern Virginia. The trip this time took just over 6 1/2 hours (with a bio break), which is fast compared to what it used to be, especially with driving on I-95. North Carolina has had some pretty powerful members of Congress over the last several decades who were able to direct a lot of money to building interstate highways throughout the central and eastern part of the state. It's a much smoother ride now.

It's very different today, but some things are still the same. The beach is still there, of course, and it's still a pretty beach that is walkable and broad at low tide. And the golf courses are still here. Some of the older ones we used to play have closed and are developed into yet more condos and apartments.

We golfed today at the Myrtlewood courses with our great friends who have relocated here. It was the first time we have been out on a course for several months. The weather was gorgeous and it was great to be outdoors for hours with no expectations and no pressure.

Despite all the changes, Myrtle is still a destination worth a visit, especially when it's not the summer. We enjoy it here, especially now that our friends are here and have a space for us to stay! One more day here, then on to Hilton Head for more beach and golf time.