4 Miles Away

Well we had a long delay through DC but the gang was great.  Arrived in North Carolina for a rest. It did the trick.  We are now heading into Myrtle Beach.  Temps are cool right now but who cares...we are at the beach.   No worries!

Gotta admit we had some laughs along the way.  We passed Manassas..or as Jordan observed it as Man Ass ads

Saturday - Long Drive, Smelly Car, One Family

"I am going to miss Myrtle Beach" - Jack Murray

We began our drive back today.  Waking up was one of those things that you knew would lead to something you just didn't want to do but knew you had to.   We had to leave. Leaving the beach or any vacation where you had an really great time is not easy.

This past week, for me, I spent time with my kids knowing that the next time we are here they will be older, maybe not as interested in doing things with Jen or I, and also being older myself.  The beach has always been an adventure for us.  Building sandcastles, learning to boogie board, fishing for ocean fish, conquering fears on crazy rides, and simply trying new things have always been our theme.  We also got to spend time with Steve and Michelle's kids who are also growing older.  Although Emma still hasn't warmed up to me I can easily say I love being around them all.  Every day brought a new laugh, a new question, and fun.  I wouldn't want it any other way.

So we began the drive.  It was long but not as painful as I thought it would be.  We travelled with Steve and Michelle all the way to right outside DC when we split ways.  The early going had us helping with Emma who got sick in car.  We had lunch at Cracker Barrell or Jordan said, "Cracker Stinking Cracker!".  However, I think she really liked her lunch since she ate all of it.  After doing a final tour of the give shop we headed home.

As we texted our goodbye's I found myself thinking about all the great moments.  We all laughed and told stories in between some odd smells.  It was clear to me that we had a great vacation and enjoyed what it meant to be family.   We'll be back to the beach and I know the adventures will continue along with the laughs.

Friday - Long Last Looks...

The last full day arrived.  It was my first time taking a long run/walk and it didn't disappoint.  With the heat creeping up, and waves crashing, seagulls crying out....the run was what you would want in a beach run.  I took a long look at the early morning surf as the sun started to climb and created a silver shimmer across the tops of the waves.  Very nice.    For Jillian and Jake, they noted we only placed mini-golf once so we quickly planned out a game at Mt Atlanticus on the Conch Course with Jen and myself.  Jordan hung back to get some more pool-sun time to perfect her tan!

Steve and Michelle took their kids over to Broadway at the Beach where they got in some shopping and game play but quickly felt the heat!  Matty and Jack returned with two custom RC cars which were quite cool.  Later that night Jake would also pick one up.  It was quite an impressive (and expensive!) store but the boys really loved it!! So we all met up and headed down to the beach one final time.  By Noon the sands were quite hot.  The kids grabbed lemon ice from the girl pushing the beach cart and all was good again!

The remnants of our mer-man's hair was still on the beach.  Today was one of the best water days.  It was so good that Matty made his SC surf debut as he and Jake got on the boogie boards!!!  The vacation was now complete!  Jen and I were under the umbrellas enjoying a breeze and gazing out at the surf.  You cannot help but to feel you never want to leave.  I think that is a good sign of a great vacation.

As we all got showered up and washed the last of the ocean water off we made plans to head to the Hard Rock Cafe which is a giant pyramid.  It was evident that the meal of choice for most were fajitas of some sort.  Matty kept his string of chicken tenders meals in place and continues the world record.  He knows his chicken tenders!!

The evening ended with Jillian, Jake, Matty and Kayla all getting sprayed on tattoos!!  This decision process was not an easy one but they are now owners of some fine artwork.

As I got back to the room I really dreaded the fact that we had to pack but you do what you must......

Thursday - Spas, Blues, and Wonderworks

Thursday was one of those days where the beach was looking good but you could sense our time at the beach was growing short.  I try take it hour by hour and remind everyone there is still plenty of time.  Not easy to do.  In any case, Jen, Jordan and Michelle got a treat to head out to the spa to enjoy some quiet time. Meanwhile we started to get ready to head to the beach.  Today we put a different spin on burying someone.  Steve sculpted a great turtle in the sand and we buried Jake and shaped his body into a mer-man.  It was quite an effort.  We took up quite a bit of beach real estate as we also built another ball ramp into the surf.

As the dinner hour approached we got ourselves all cleaned up and headed to the House of Blues where we arrived to a small crowd and enjoyed a great meal of ribs, chicken tenders, salads, and wings.  There is a massive courtyard area there where we played around with the kids and let them chase each other.  It was one of those times where you realize next time we might be back in Myrtle will be when they are all two years older. Kinda makes you pause and enjoy.

That night Steve took his gang to the rides area of Barefoot Landing where Kayla and Matty returned to the rock wall and this time made it to the top!!  My gang headed to Broadway at the Beach to enter Wonderworks.  This three story adventure really has everything....experiments, simulators, rope bridge.  Jillian, Jake and I continued on to do battle in the Lazer Tag arena which was alot of fun and Jen and Jordan went around to the shops.  When we were done with the Lazer Tag we noticed some Palmetto Bugs (aka cockroaches) making an appearance on the bridge!

Once back to the room we headed over to Steve and Michelle's room to exchange some stories and laughed at various comments made by everyone!.  Steve told me that Jack thought I was eaten by a shark when we sent him the picture!!  (seen here)

Wednesday - A Trip To The Aquarium

This morning the gang all loaded up and we headed to Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach.   Pirannah's, eels, Dori's, Nemo's, and sharks entertained everyone.  The kids got the chance to touch and lift horseshoe crabs and pet small sharks!  Of course.....hand sanitizer was near by!!  As we entered the aquarium tubes we were quite impressed by the sharks that moved overhead.   You could actually view their rows of teeth! When we exited we made our way out sting rays and eventually got to the part where we could pet them.

The aquarium is the perfect size but wouldn't be complete without a gift shop!!  That was the last part where the kids got some stuffed sharks, snake (aka whip!), candy, and shark teeth!

After a quick stop at McDonalds we headed back to the surf!  It was another awesome beach day where we spent some time building a new 'racing' ball ramp with tunnel!  With small nets in hand the gang started hunting more shells and sea life.  While rinsing off, Steve and I saw a small sting ray but it quickly moved out to sea.  The water was so warm and clear.

With a nice ocean breeze blowing, it was looking like prime time for kite flying.   Jake, Matty, and I set it up and got it going about 12 stories high.  It looked great and stayed up for the remainder of the afternoon until we headed up to get cleaned up.  Tonight's dinner was spent at the View Cafe located in the hotel lobby.  The dinner was perfect and the view was really beautiful.  While the adults finished up the kids all poured into the game room where we won about 6 super balls and got the crane to not grab anything!

After dinner, Stephen, Jillian, Jake, Kayla, Matty and I grabbed our flashlights and headed down to the beach and had a fun beach walk past the pier.  Kayla got a little scared as water appeared on both sides of us and we realized it was time to turn around.  On our way back we found a crab who had a fond affection for Steve's toes!!

Another beach day came to a close as I am sure we headed off to bed.

Tuesday - Fishing, Walking, and Tumbling

Another spectacular beach morning.  As I got up and headed out on the balcony the fog was so thick but quickly burned off as the sun started to warm everything up.  This morning we headed to the pier to enter the fishing derby.  Fishing is something Jake had on his mind since we arrived and he was set.  Steve and Matty joined us for their first time giving it a shot.   With squid and shrimp for bait we gave it a shot.  Jake was the only one to catch anything from our group!  The excitement continued as we watched some sharks swimming around and a sting ray.

Jillian was practicing her tumbling and when we got back she demonstrated to us a new sequence of moves.  Needless to say it was pretty cool and the lifegaurd even made it a point to tell us it was quite good.  While Kayla and Jack were busy collecting seashells, Matty and Jake helped out building a swirling tower ball ramp in the sand.

The days on the beach often get hot so being close to the pools is ideal.  Our group made good use of the water park and pools while some hung at the beach.  Jen enjoyed part of her book while soaking up some rays.  A perfect beach day.

This was also Elizabeth's last full day so we took her out to Key West Grill at Broadway at the Beach and had our table set out on the balcony.  The kids enjoyed seeing the speedboat going up and down the water and this set the stage for our ride shortly there after.  Stephen, Jillian, Jake, Matty, Jack, Kayla, and I all boarded "The Beach Rider" where we zipped and did 360's up and down the waterway.  It was alot of fun!  Once we got off the boat we met up with everyone and headed for an ice cream while wandering around the shops.

We headed back to the room so Elizabeth could pack and we could all enjoy the view from the balcony overlooking the ocean.

Monday - Mini Golf Round One

First thing this morning, Papa, Jill, Jake, Matty and I got our first round of mini golf in at Treasure Island.  The heat and humidity was already quite high.  The fellow running it was quite nice and after exchanging stories, he gave us some free passes.  Unfortunately, we had our first mishap.  While teeing off on the fourth hole, a shot over some water, Jake hit one out of bounds.  As he stepped aside, Matty went to hit, somehow Jake got hit in the ribs and was out for the remainder of match play.  He'll be back.  Matty on the other hand had a great showing with two holes in one!!  Jill was also quite impressive as she par multiple times.  More play coverage later.....

When we got back, it was time for lunch and as we settled in I ran to Walmart for some additional nets to catch some critters.  Also picked up a Styrofoam cooler for fishing on Tuesday.  Then a massive thunderstorm moved in.  While the kids played with their bows and arrows playing 'Elves' the rain fell hard but then quickly moved out creating awesome boogie board conditions.

Kayla was excited to ride so I got her all setup.  But I missed a huge wave behind us and Kayla had one wicked wipe.  Ugh.  However, once the shells were out of her shorts she was then on to other things.  Jake, Steve, Jill and I were all riding waves from way out to right up on the sand.  Awesome!  While the beach packed up Steve and I enjoyed a cool beverage on what turned

The evening has us enjoying dinner at California Pizza at Barefoot Landing.  I enjoyed the San Diego Pizza (with bacon) while everyone seemed to enjoy including Papa who had mastered his own combination of sausage, pepperoni, cheese, sauce.
 After dinner we made our way to the railing to see the largest carp ever.  Jake, Matty, Jill and Jack all got on the giant bouncy ride.  At one point, Jake's strap snapped!!! Yikes  but he didn't fly away.  They then moved on the the rock wall and the some kind of  tower where they climbed up and through.  To round out the games Jake and Matty walked away winning some basketballs!

As we got back to the rooms the kids hung out watching an episode of Full House.  Some of the adults enjoyed a drink on the balcony as a full moon reflected off the ocean.  What a great end to the day!!