I mentioned before that I was cheap about vacations, however, this time I got an ocean front room with private balcony (from which those pictures were taken) I could sit on the balcony and look at the massive expanse of the ocean, strain to see if I could spot Big Ben on the horizon (failed on that one), sip my ice tea and contemplate. Not quite as connected as actually walking in the wake, but, it was a suitable substitute.
Myrtle Beach is completely a tourist town. All the gaudy lights and tourist traps are the big theme. When I first went there in the early 80's Myrtle Beach was a year round resort. Golf year round and beach in the summer. It has morphed into a seasonal location. Most of the gaudy has closed for the season by Labor Day and the room rates for a week, just for comparison, are half of what a single day rate is at Disney. Not as much to do, but, relaxation is way underrated. I chose to substitute my beach walking time for nostalgia exploring. I checked out all the hotels that I ever stayed in, most are still there. Found many of the Golf Courses that I had played although some are nothing but strange looking overgrown grass, closed, the victim of to much competition. (over 100 courses in a 17miles stretch) All of it brought back many memories of my first trip there in February 1980 with my wife (left the kids with my parents) for a winter break. Drove from Vermont in weather that starting at -32 degree, hit a huge nor'easter when we got to the DC area, delayed us a day. Finally got to Myrtle Beach to 60 degree weather and sunshine. I was a lousy golfer at the time and my wife was even worse, but, we still had a great time. I have gone at semi-regular intervals over the year, but, haven't been since I moved to NC. To close, i guess. 193 miles doesn't seem to be near as much of a challenge as the 1000 used to be.
I really like NC but, we don't have the palm trees and the live oaks w/spanish moss here. Just a few miles down the road, it is there. The golf stream does run pretty close to shore in Myrtle so many days, even in February the ocean is accessible, especially for those of us that used to brave the frigid waters off Maine in the summer.
Not looking for sympathy, but, the fact is that all travel loses something when you do it alone. It can be fun, but, there is always the element of something special missing. Take advantage whenever you can, to make memories. I have plenty. I have never been wealthy, but, I have been lucky. My memories of trips, even closely budgeted ones, are all wonderful to think about, and I do, but, the actual experience is what life is all about.
Me I was more cynical.
I rest my case.
