2022 Spring Trip South: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

 Wednesday 4/6:  230  miles,  parked at Myrtle Beach KOA, SC

Finally, Tee shirt weather.

Deluxe patio site 90

We were on the road from Carowinds in Charlotte by about 10:00.  The drive was on Interstate Highways almost all the way today.  South on I-77, then east on I-20, followed by a segment of northeast on I-95, and there finally south on SC 38 and 501.  It was actually a very pleasant drive, except the last 20 miles approaching Myrtle Beach where the traffic was maddening.  It took over a half hour to drive the last 10 miles.  My rant for the day:  If folks are complaining so much about high gas prices, then why do they continue to drive 80 miles per hour on the Interstates????

Traffic aside, the campground at Myrtle Beach is very peaceful and relaxing.  The sites are large and it is heavily treed.  It reminds me a lot of the Lake Placid/Whiteface KOA in the Adirondacks where we camp often in the summer.  We are here for four nights, so we splurged on a deluxe patio site, and was it ever gorgeous.  More like "glamping" instead of "camping." 

Not all is fun and games when RVing.  We have adventures, but also an occasional misadventure.  Contrary to the happy smiles above, when we opened the RV to set up here, we discovered a major booboo.  When we closed the slides in Charlotte, we apparently missed shutting a lower cabinet door on the kitchen island.  The hydraulic slides didn't care and "tipped" the kitchen island off it's base and the top was resting on the stove.  Oops!!   We opened the slides, and by lifting the edge of the island we were able to place some temporary wood blocks under it to stabilize the island.  Fortunately no plumbing lines were broken.  The island and sink are usable, but we have a project to work on over the next few days before we move.  Just like home, there is always something to fix or repair.  😀

Thursday:  We dodged thunderstorms on and off all day.  In the morning we drove to nearby Conway to get our second Moderna COVID booster shot.  They were unavailable at home when we left, so we made online reservations at a Walgreens near the campground in Myrtle Beach.  We had no problem getting the shots, although there was a bunch of paperwork involved.  By evening we both had sore arms, but that was the extent of the reactions.    

Friday:  The sky finally cleared and the weather turned sunny and 70.  We worked on repairing the kitchen island, and got it partially stabilized.  But we need to find a hardware store tomorrow to pick up some screws and nails.  I had packed a tool kit, but it's hard to foresee every type of supply you may need in fixit situations.  Plus, there is a Lowes or Home Depot almost everywhere.

Today was also a good time to catch up on laundry.  As the machines were drying, I wandered around a nearby loop in the park.  I came across another Solitude owner and struck up a conversation with them.  They are from Ontario, Canada and are on their way home from Florida.  Come to find out, they live in Cornwall, Ontario.  That's about a 90 minute drive from our home in Gouverneur.  In fact, they knew exactly where Gouverneur was and they have driven through it many times when they have shopping excursions in nearby Watertown, NY.  Another small world example.     

We met longtime friends Rod and Cheryl Grant for an early dinner tonight at a wonderful seaside restaurant called Damon's.  While noted for their ribs, Judy and I opted for the seafood  special which was a crab and shrimp stuffed haddock, and it was amazing!!!  Of course, when near the ocean, I have to have clam chowder, and their's was excellent.  It has been three years since we last connected with our friends, and it was great catching up.  Rod and Cheryl are retired teachers from Canton High School who used to live up north near us, but then 20 years ago retired and moved to Myrtle Beach and are still here.

Too much sun in the background, but the view was wonderful.

Saturday:  Today was kitchen island fix-it day.  It was too cool and windy to spend the day outside, so we had to spend the day inside anyway.  First, off to a nearby Home Depot store to pick up a few needed items and tools.  Now, this turned out to be a lay on the floor and work project.  Much like trying to replace the muffler on your car in your garage, like I used to do in my younger years.  Lots of twisting and turning and trying to line things up through trifocal glasses.   Fun, fun, fun.  Anyway, we got it done!!!  Island is stable.  I will probably redo some of it when we get back home to improve the cosmetic appeal.  The following series of photos illustrates our "misadventure".  Sorry, but I forgot to take a before photo of the leaning island.  I guess the stress of opening the camper door and seeing the tipped island counter over rode any desire to "document the entire incident".   Trust me, it was a stressful few minutes.  😉

How it happened with open cabinet door.

Dented stove

Example of temporary blocking and weakened support.

More blocking.

Not pretty, but usable.

Classic DIY home improvement. 😀

Back in business!!

So this turned out to be another case of "Oh s**t, what do we do now, to another funny story to tell about later.  Typical of many of life's adventures.  😀

Sunday: Today we pack up and drive further south to Savannah, Georgia.  Stay tuned.