Myrtle Beach Activities

by | Aug 9, 2012

Beachfront Relaxation…Hold the Jellyfish Please

Our beach time was fun. It was so nice to be near the water and hear the roar. As you can see from the pictures, the kids had more fun playing in the sand than in the ocean.

One thing I didn’t like was the jellyfish that floated in the water. They gave me the heeby-jeebies…(insert shivers). They were all on the beach every morning and we could see them while playing in the water. I’m not sure why there were so close to the shore but I didn’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling from them.

Miniature Golf Fun and Friendly Competition

What would a trip be without a little fun? We went to the Adventure Falls miniature golf course that was on the main strip. The kids and I love this game and the friendly competition.

There were two courses to choose from. So we chose the least crowded one to begin our competition. I got a couple of holes in one and I think each of the kids got one as well. That sent up simultaneous cheers and boos.

The guy running the place was super friendly. He told us about and up and coming singer from Myrtle Beach that lives in Atlanta now. She is kind of young but is recording (probably finished now) a new album. Too bad I can’t remember her name…

Overall the trip was fun. I will definitely go back again in a few years. I think next year we will try either The Outter Banks in North Carolina or Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Both are reasonable distances from Atlanta and by then my daughter will know how to drive and can help lighten that load.

Myrtle Beach Spring Fun and Sun

Myrtle Beach Spring Fun and Sun

by | Aug 8, 2012

I am finally getting around to posting photos from my trip to Myrtle Beach back in April. The kids and I visited because we really wanted to go to the beach that was close to home. It had to be economical and fun so I set out to find a great place for Spring Break 2012.

Looking for Great Travel Deals

I am a deal/discount queen when it comes to travel. I do not believe in paying full price for accommodations, rentals, or airfare so I will scour the web for the best deal. So I checked out Hotwire.com and BetterBidding.com to find a hotel or resort on the beach. That was my criteria. Anywhere we stayed had to be walking distance to the beach.

Bidding on a hotel can be nerve-wracking if you don’t know what to do. The prices look so tempting but I learned through a lot of research to look for clues into the kind of hotel I’d be getting.

Setting My Criteria for the Perfect Spring Break Destination

So my criteria was for a hotel, preferably a resort, on the beach. I also had to have wi-fi, a balcony, double beds, and cheap but quality eats in the hotel or nearby.

I found a couple of resorts within my price range on Hotwire but before I reserved it I went to BetterBidding.com to look at the forums. People who have bid on rooms reveal the name of the hotel in these forums. It is based on the state and city you are planning to visit. I found out the resort could be one of two places. I Googled the hotel and decided I could live with it. I placed my bid over at Hotwire and moved ahead with my plans.

Getting to Myrtle Beach

The kids and I packed up and drove to Myrtle Beach. We traveled for about five hours and were so happy to see the ocean! Our resort, Surfside Beach Resort wasn’t exactly luxurious but it was nice enough for our purpose. We were right on the beach, the rooms had double bed, there was wi-fi (though spotty), there was a balcony, and there were places to eat nearby.

 

The Surfside Beach Community

The area of Myrtle Beach where we stayed was called Surfside Beach. It is a sleepy little town lined with beach houses facing the ocean. It was nice, quiet and clean. Along the ocean were only two or three hotels. There was the Holiday Inn resort and our resort.

Surfside is known for it’s determination to keep the towering commercial hotels out and maintain a cozy family atmosphere. We could see the larger hotels in the distance but were happy to not be caught in the spring break traffic and noise that was probably overwhelming that part of Myrtle Beach.

Getting in “Me Time”

I got up early to watch the sunrise and walk on the beach for a little “me time” on the first morning. The kids slept in and enjoyed the break from school. The weather was warm but more on the cool side the first couple of days. Eventually the sun came out to heat things up and we got to go on the beach and enjoy the waves. We finally got to the ocean.

Stay tuned to read about our Activities and Food Adventures in other posts.

10 Tips for a Healthy Summer Vacation

by | Jul 1, 2012

Whether your vacation plans involve domestic or overseas travel, general health and safety measures can help you and your family prevent illness and injury.

1. Watch What You Eat. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers these healthy eating suggestions while you are on vacation:

  • Sample small amounts of high–calorie foods. You do not have to avoid these foods entirely; just reduce the amount that you eat to a few bites.
  • Share large portions. Many restaurants serve very large portions, so do not hesitate to split orders.
  • Space meals throughout the day. It can be easy to “graze” while on vacation. Try to set meal times and stick to them.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

  • Children become dehydrated more easily than adults, so pay extra attention to children.
  • Drink bottled water, especially if you are in a foreign country where tap water may not be safe to drink.
  • If the tap water is not safe to drink in the area you are visiting, do not use it to make juice, to rinse fresh fruits and vegetables or to brush your teeth.

3. Wash Your Hands Often

  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the most important ways to reduce infectious disease transmission is to wash hands carefully and frequently with soap and water.
  • Carry antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol–based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol for situations in which hot water and soap are not available.

4. Get Adequate Sleep

  • When you sleep well, you wake up feeling refreshed, alert and ready to enjoy the day.
  • Do your best to stay on a regular sleep schedule. Being awake and alert can help you get the most enjoyment out of your trip.

5. Pack a First–aid Kit. Include the following items:

  • Bandages, sterile gauze pads, instant cold packs, a thermometer, scissors, tweezers, a needle, moistened towelettes, blister pads, assorted sizes of safety pins and latex gloves.
  • Antiseptics, over–the–counter pain relievers, anti–diarrhea medication, antacid, a tube of hydrocortisone cream for itchy skin reactions, allergy relief, cold and cough medicine, motion sickness medication.
  • Syrup of Ipecac (used to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center), a laxative, petroleum jelly or other lubricant and a cleansing agent/soap.

6. Protect Yourself from Insect Bites

  • Be sure to use insect repellent that contains DEET (30 to 50 percent) or picaridin (up to 15 percent) whenever you are outdoors in areas where disease–carrying insects are active.

7. Protect Yourself from the Sun

  • The sun’s peak hours are from 10 AM and 4 PM.
    Liberally apply a broad–spectrum, water–resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 15 thirty minutes before going outdoors. Sunscreen should then be re–applied every two hours or after physical activity.
  • Loose–fitting, tightly–woven fabric offer the best protection from UV rays. Sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays offer the best eye protection.

8. When Traveling Internationally

  • See your doctor or specialist six weeks prior to your trip. Most vaccines take time to become effective and require more than one dose in a series.
  • Take a list of U.S. embassies and consulates with you in case of an emergency and find the hospital or medical care facility that is located closest to your destination. Remember, when you leave the United States, you are subject to the laws of the country that you are visiting.
  • Carry a written copy of your medical history and check with your health insurance provider to see if you are covered for medical care and medical evacuation while on vacation.

9. Be Aware of Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs)

  • RWIs can be found in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, hot tubs, decorative fountains and in the ocean; and can be spread by swallowing, breathing or coming into contact with contaminated water.
  • Take your children on bathroom breaks often. Change diapers in a bathroom and not near the pool or shoreline. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the water.
  • Avoid swimming in the ocean for at least 24 hours after a heavy rain. Storm–water runoff from the streets and drainage areas may wash pollution into the water.

10. Traveling With a Health Condition

  • Keep your medications in their original prescription bottles and keep all medications with you in your carry–on luggage. Pack copies of all of your prescriptions, including the generic name of each medication.
  • If you are carrying a controlled substance and/or injectable medication, be sure to have a note–on letterhead–from the prescribing physician indicating that you are allowed to have them in your possession.
  • You should also leave a copy of your prescriptions at home with a friend or relative.
[Video] How to Get Better Gas Mileage

[Video] How to Get Better Gas Mileage

by | Apr 26, 2012

I’m pretty irritated with the high gas price. What is really going on?!?! Fortunately there are ways to save money with better gas mileage. This week’s video shows us how.

Lauren Fix, The Car Coach, Automotive Expert

  • Last year, 147 million gallons of gasoline evaporated because of loose, missing or broken gas caps.  Make sure your gas cap is securely fastened.  Turn it until you hear the clicking sound.
  • Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your fuel economy by 1 to 2 miles to a gallon.  Check your tire pressure once a month using a digital tire gauge.  You will find the proper PSI for your vehicle on the inside of your driver-side door or in your owner’s manual. Check your tire pressure in the morning, when tires are cool, to get the most accurate reading.
  • Get the extra junk out of your trunk!  Reducing the weight your car has to carry can save you a lot of money at the pump.
  • Allowing your car to idle burns a lot of fuel. Instead of using the drive-thru, park and walk inside.
  • Take car of your engine:
  1. Replace your air filter every 6 months.  If your car can’t “breathe” properly, it will use too much fuel.
  2. Maintain your spark plugs.
  3. Using a full synthetic oil will lower your emissions and will improve your fuel economy by 2-3%.

Affordable 2012 Summer Vacations

by | Mar 19, 2012

With economic turmoil still affecting a great deal of the world, many people are finding it difficult to spend time on hobbies, luxuries, and vacations. Indeed, taking time off for yourself is far easier if you aren’t worried about expenses, and this limits you considerably when it comes to vacation time, or even time off in general.

Fortunately, however, with careful planning and some creative thinking, you can still find some very nice vacation options for the coming summer that won’t cost you too much money. After all, it is perfectly possible to have a great time on a budget with a strategic vacation. Here are a few tips for affordable 2012 summer vacations that will provide you the relaxation you need without requiring you to break the bank.

Greece

It may seem a bit ambitious to look to one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe right off the bat, but when you consider this country’s own economic struggles, it becomes a viable travel option on a budget. Of course, air fare to Europe is still pricey, but accommodations and on-the-ground expenses in Greece are about as cheap as they’ll ever come right now, which means you can visit this Mediterranean paradise fairly easily. For that matter, a number of other European cities are also cheaper to visit now than in more stable economic times.

Ski Locations

This may seem a bit strange, but if you’re looking for something closer to home, you may want to consider ski lodges for summer vacation time. You will certainly want to look into a specific lodge beforehand, but many ski locations house people during the summer, and provide warm weather activities like hiking, rafting, fishing, camping, etc. Additionally, depending upon where you live, you may not even have to bother with air fare to get to the nearest ski lodge location. You may actually be a quick drive away from a very nice, and very affordable summer mountain vacation.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

If you’re looking for a nice, hot summer beach location, but you don’t want the crowds or expenses of South Beach or the Caribbean, consider Ft. Lauderdale, an increasingly appreciated beach city whose crowds lighten somewhat in the summer. A trip to this city will cost you very little in comparison to one to Miami or the Caribbean, and allows you, essentially, the same benefits. In fact, you will even be in driving distance of South Beach, if you still want to consider spending a bit of time in Miami.

Kristen E. is a freelance writer who has contributed to a number of other online blogs and websites concerned with home improvement and security systems.

4 Ways to Save on Spring Break Travel

4 Ways to Save on Spring Break Travel

by | Mar 5, 2012

The long winter months have everyone itching to get out and do something new. For many Americans, this means planning a much-needed vacation – away from winter, work and school.

With the travel bug in your head, take advantage of these saving tips to make the most out of your vacation:

Use Travel Packages to Save

* Check out any bundling deals on hotels, airfare, car rentals and special tours through travel websites. Booking several options through one package can help you reduce prices. Some airlines have partnerships with car rental companies, which can help save you money. Take the time to research these options thoroughly, and you’ll be rewarded with good savings.

Stock Up on Travel Gear

* Stock up on travel accessories like baggage, e-readers and of course any clothing items needed to make a fashion statement on your trip. When searching online, use discount sites like Ebates.com. In addition to coupon codes and discounts on items found on your favorite travel sites, Ebates also offers you cash back on your purchases. For example, if you book your hotel stay at Holiday Inn through Ebates.com, you’ll be able to take advantage of coupon savings, and once your purchase is completed, earn 4.5 percent of the total purchase price as cash back. Use those earnings to purchase an extra something special on your trip – like a spa visit or a fun tour.

Schedule Travel During Off Peak

* If you can travel earlier in March, or later in April or even May, you might find better deals because fewer families are traveling during those times due to school schedules. Or if you have flexibility in the day you travel, you might discover airfares leaving on a Tuesday or Wednesday are a better price than leaving on a Friday or Saturday.

Use Travel Vouchers

*If you’ve accumulated points through an airline or credit card, put those points to use in discounting your travels. One hint – make certain you get the best deal. If your credit card gives you the option of using points for cash back or for airline miles, research which method will get you further.

Now that the travel bug has you wanting to get away for a bit this spring, roll up your sleeves and get started finding coupons, discounts and savings for your travel plans. Just remember to put those savings to good use for fun and enjoyment when you reach your destination. (ARA)