Myrtle Beach
State Park
Myrtle Beach, SC
November 11 to November 13
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| 192 miles - 3½ hours |
To sum up today's drive, it was a dark, dreary, dismal, drizzly drive. (I love alliteration.) Average speed between 55 and 65 mph. It was fine and I enjoyed it. If I had a co-pilot, a bunch of photos along the way depicting the dilapidated, boarded, run-down buildings, homes and barns as well as the rusting abandoned cars, trucks and motorhomes would have made a terrific photo essay on the America Overlooked by most of us. The best was a house completely grown over with tree branches and shrubs. The chimney peering through the greenery covering the roof was the only clue for the existence of a house entangled beneath.
I refueled once and stopped at a Food Lion a half mile before the entrance to the Park, so I'm all set. Fortunately, upon arriving with my Winnie in this weather, all I had to do was run up a bit on my levelers and plug in. That's it. I'm in for the night and was out of the drizzle in no time. Temperature is a chilling, raw 50º. Showering and laundry, both of which are right across the road, is put off till tomorrow, another rainy, chilly day.
Myrtle Beach State Park was my choice for the first 3-day stay here in South Carolina. Beside being less expensive, it has all the necessities I need like a laundry and showers. There are family amenities, however as well as Nature Lodges, hiking trails and, of course, the famous South Carolina shoreline. The fishing pier is a favorite I'll have to get photos of. I checked the mixed reviews. Most negatives are about noisy air traffic from the nearby airport, small sites and flooded sites after big rainstorms. With over 300 sites, my back-in site is closest to the shore which is a hike. Will I catch a 6:44 a.m. sunrise? I don't think the weather is going to cooperate for the time I'm here. We shall see.
Myrtle Beach won the naming contest in the early 1900's for the wax myrtle tree predominant in the area. An interesting history can be found in the link to Myrtle Beach above.
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| A long scenic road into this 312 acre park takes you to the campground office. |
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| Extensive property and facilities to accommodate the public. Clean and well maintained. |
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| A bit of a hike to see the ocean. So apologies for no ocean views. |
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| My site 18 is one of over 300 and opposite the laundry and shower. |
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| Little did I know I'd get a beachfront site. |
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| Two days later. |
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| It rained lightly off and on throughout the night but the water just didn't have any place to go. Fortunately, I was on "high ground." It'll all subside by the time I hit the road. |
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| Two days later. |
Sunday was a good time to get the laundry done ($2.00/load) and take my (hot and free) shower. I visited the well-stocked store in the next building. Sharon mentioned 95 RV were leaving that day by noon. Speaking of laundry, has anyone ever noticed how during a wash and dry cycle those machines have a knack of a) turning t-shirts inside out and b) undoing square knots (I use) when washing any garment with strings (like hoodies and shorts) so as not get tangled with anything? I'm always probing the deep dark unknowns to grasp the true meaning of life.
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| Carl in 2015 |
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| Hazel |
And on that pleasant note, I'll bid Myrtle Beach farewell. The sun is shining, the pond is drying up nicely and, as usual, I'm eager to get on the road again. I'm choosing to remain on route 17, continuing south; the more "scenic" Ocean Highway rather than via I-95. The difference in time and distance is negligible. Hope you'll join me.
I am again reminded why I enjoy and am fortunate to be doing what I do; realizing that when you do "nothing" in a different location and surroundings, there's a big difference...and that makes all the difference. - Me
Ah, there's that quote again.....I do like it and shall remember it from time to time as the mood suits. I am not familiar with Golden Sheep dogs but my niece has a Golden Doodle named Luke and he is just the best. (She also lives in SC.) Man's best friend couldn't be any better than that. Well, Hazel looks pretty great herself. Interesting story about your friend surprising you like that. As usual, gorgeous scenery of the America Overlooked by most (Charlie, is that the title of your next book?). I guess I never told ya but my first husband, Jim, and I drove down to Florida to see a friend in '74 and we stopped at various campsites along the way but we tented it. I used to have pictures of it but don't anymore but seeing yours makes me remember some of them. Interesting. Thanks for that. Ah, so many chapters of life. Well, enjoy your chapter dear friend but I do hope you don't plan to do this next winter???? Huh????? Ever your friend, Stella JG
ReplyDeleteAlas, my dear Stella JG, I've yet to find any downsides from "following the sun" and missing your 20º temps last night. Time will tell.
DeleteWhat a surprise having a friend drop in like that with his “friend” and she’s adorable with a similar looking mustache. I can see why there’s a waiting list for the puppies. The high today was 81° and we had some rain too. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Always safety first. Warm temperatures second. And Florida always needs rain.
DeleteAhh, I'll sleep better knowing that, cuz. HOWEVER. What have you found about the nefarious untying of knots. Now that's a step above...a higher order machine intelligence.
ReplyDeleteI’ll ask my recluse neighbor, Hercules..he has some experience untying knots.
ReplyDeleteNo...in the washer I want them to remain tied.
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