On Tuesday, JTH and I returned from our trip to Myrtle Beach.
Our day began by eating lunch with ANDR and PCR. We drove from our hotel in North Myrtle to theirs in Myrtle Beach. We traversed this landscape via Interstate 17 so often over our two days at the beach that we wondered whether or not we traveled more in the city or going to it. This was the scene as we arrived in their room at the Holiday Inn Express. They knew we were coming.
Once we got the newlyweds out of bed, we followed them to the River City Cafe (located at 404 21st Avenue North). It is a burger joint that appears as though the roof could cave in at any moment. Naturally, I loved it. The combination of hamburgers and classic Paul Abdul playing in the background was as great as it sounds. Peanuts are at each table and the patron is permitted to discard the shells onto the restaurant’s wooden floors. This is one of life’s unexplained pleasures.
After lunch, JTH and I bid the newlyweds farewell. We then went to the former site of the Apache Motel (2709 S Ocean Blvd) where JTH and his family spent many family vacations. The location is now home to an Ocean Blue Luxury Condo.
We also stopped at the Springmade Pier, where JTH’s father spent many of his days on vacation. JTH was surprised that a $1 charge to walk the pier was invoked four years ago. The view was beautiful and there were fishermen everywhere. The fact that they are wearing winter attire in this photo should give you an idea of the windy weather we encountered on the trip. On this day, one of the fisherman caught a 28" fish but had to return it to its ocean home by law.
There were signs on the pier disallowing shark fishing and diving. If they allowed these activities they could really up their prices. I may write them a letter.
Before leaving the beach, we visited some gift shops. One of the largest was this establishment: the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove. We again found stores with swords, which are very popular in the area. We contemplated buying one for WAM and we are sure he would have loved it. We decided against that choice as we would have created a new variation on Matthew 26:52: Buy the sword, die by the sword. Our deaths would be accidental of course, but we would be assuredly be dead nevertheless.
I must note that a restaurant on the strip was called Fat Man’s Dream. I give Myrtle Beach credit. They have more creative business titles than any place I have ever visited.
We made two stops on the long trip home: first to a Goodwill in Conway, South Carolina (2913 Church St) and second to a huge souvenir shop in the middle of nowhere called Sharky’s. This store was featured on countless billboards advertising everything from shark's teeth to clean bathrooms. We felt compelled to stop.
Our biggest purchase was a book: Scratch & Solve Movie Hangman by Mike Ward. We played this game most of the way back. In this version, one received six missed letters before losing. We solved the first nineteen puzzles without any casualties before hanging Pinocchio. We speculate that we are some of the few to miss Pinocchio but to get Rutger Hauer. The fact that we know Hauer’s work is evidence that we have both worked in a movie store.
My only regret from the trip was that we did not have time to eat at Medieval Times. Reasons to make a return trip...
JTH and I arrived back in Knoxville in time to eat a late supper at Applebees with ALK. I had a feeling we might...
Amy was our waitress which offended AFH, who often serves us. We had not seen her in some time as she had just returned from a two week vacation that featured stops in Pennsylvania, Atlantic City, and Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was good to see her.
Amy invited us to her daughter Emma’s fifth birthday party the following day. We really eat at Applebees way too much...
Finally, Tuesday was KLTW’s 27th birthday. Happy birthday, Butterfinger! I love you!
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