Surfside Beach Trip!

The children and I spent six days at Surfside Beach with my mother.  We had a splendid time.  We normally vacation in the Low Country, but my mother had received tickets to the Antique Roadshow in Myrtle Beach. 

Our trip began with the lovely five hour drive to the beach.  Little Man must have asked fifty times how many more minutes.  Egee was occupied with a book.  At least no fussing on the way down!

Our hotel was oceanfront and we had a nice view of the Surfside pier. 

View from our room on the 6th floor.

Once we dropped off our luggage in the room, we headed for Crabby Mike's.  A long awaited destination for the avid crab leg eaters!  All you can eat crab leg and seafood buffet. 

Waiting to eat crab legs!

We spent the evening on the beach.  The kids loved making sand castles and playing in the surf.

The next day was full of shopping, pool time, and a fun trip to see The Pirate's Voyage.  The kids loved the dinner show and were thoroughly entertained by the acrobatics, diving, and sword fighting.

Looking at the sea lion before the show.

On the way to see the show.

Preshow  entertainment

Sapphire side ship

Ruby side ship

Mermaid and treasure (Little Man loved the mermaid.)

Egee's mermaid tattoo

Sword fighting after the show

 Later in the week we went mini golfing at Captain Hook's.  It was a nice course and easy for MeeMee to walk.  The kids had a blast!

We spent some time shopping at Barefoot Landing and the children enjoyed feeding the fish and turtles, riding the carousel, and hanging out.

We also visited Broadway at the Beach.  Little Man and Egee finally found the candy they had been looking for at It's Sugar!  The store had every possible candy made!  Little Man also saw a speed boat that he thought was awesome!

Egee tossing food to the fish.

All the fish waiting on more food.

Little Man looking for the boat.

Speed boat ride.

We spent the rest of the week on the beach and at the pool.  We made a quick trip to Murrells Inlet for lunch at Creek Ratz.  

Toes in the sand

Throwing the frisbee to Egee.

Egee caught it!

In all we had a great vacation with MeeMee and didn't want to come back to reality.

Putting up the Harvest

The garden is producing well.  I am harvesting yellow crooked neck squash, zucchini, peppers, peas, and green beans on a daily basis.

Yummy zucchini on the vine.

Sunflowers add a touch of whimsy to the garden.

Fenced garden area.

One day's harvest of squash and peppers.

Now that I have a large quantity of green beans, I have begun canning them.  Oh, how we love home canned green beans.  The children were excited to see the canner and beans.

I love my All American Pressure Cooker!

Green beans getting ready to hot pack into jars.

Green beans being hot packed into quart jars.

The final product

 After the I canned the beans, I sliced the peppers and dehydrated them.  The house smelled delicious as the aroma of peppers filtered into the air.

This is just the beginning of my canning and dehydrating for the year.  Hopefully the garden will continue to do so well during the summer.

The Camper

I have always wanted to have a travel trailer.  Last year, we purchased a tent and set out on a family adventure of camping.  A horrible thunderstorm (wind, rain, lightening, thunder, and hail) ruined the peaceful weekend and the children were unwilling to try tent camping again.  My parents bought a motor-home a month ago and the children loved camping in it.  Hubby said we could look for a camper and I began my quest!

I searched Craigslist, Iwanna, and local rv lots.  I had a price range and a list of must haves.  I wasn't picky about how old, but wanted something that had been taken care of and loved.  I searched every morning, afternoon, and evening.  It paid off!  I found one at CampingWorld and went to 'just look'.

The children and I fell in love with the Gulfstream Conquest.  It was perfect!  A queen bedroom, bunks for the kids, a sofa and dinette, full bathroom and kitchen!  Everything on my wishlist.  The only problem, Hubby was working and not with us to approve.  Others were looking at it and wanted it.  I had to act fast and text him to let him know of our find.  A few texts later and I was in the office putting a deposit on it.

 
 Finally, hubby came home and we went to look at my treasure.  He approved and the process of buying the camper and having all the stuff needed to tow it began.  This all started on a Thursday and we had our new toy home on Monday.  I was ready to camp!

I spent all week purchasing things we needed, pulling out camping gear we had stored in the garage, cleaning the camper, washing linens, and making it ours.  It was ready to pull out of the drive and camp on Friday.

We headed to Thermal City Gold Mine and Camp.  (This is where we tent camped last year on Father's Day Weekend.)

The truck towed the trailer fine.  Hubby did a great job for his first time towing a travel trailer.  I tried my best to keep my mouth shut and not 'help'.

We made it and camp was a breeze to set up.  I was not exhausted like tent set up.  The children were ready to ride their bikes and have fun.

Riding bikes down to the river.

Looking for the 'right' rock to throw.

He found it and it made a big splash.

Crossing the river.

He wanted to ride his bike in the water.

A long day of fun wore him out!

Camp!

Helping with the fire.

Lights on the awning

Campfire for s'mores

Father's day breakfast in the camper

She was exhausted from all the fun!

We had a lovely weekend by the river and can't wait to go camping again!