Graduation gift...a trip to the beach!

This trip was to be a surprise graduation gift for Lauren, but as it turned out it wasn't. So, the morning after graduation, Katie, Lauren, my sister Cindy, and I left for North Myrtle Beach, SC. We stayed at a little mom & pop motel on the beach. It was old but clean, and it was on the beach. We had 5 days and nights of great weather and a lot of fun! The picture above is of me, Katie, and Lauren.

We spent the day on the beach and by the pool and then out to supper each evening. On Sunday night we went to Calabash, NC and ate at a good seafood restaurant. Then we walked across the street to the greatest gift and Christmas shop around. I always purchase at least one special ornament. This year it was of a sea urchin.

Katie and I were always on shell hunts. Hunting it definitely was! We found some amazing things. Sea treasures such as olive shells, augers, eye shells, ear shells, shark's teeth, and we were blessed to find some sea urchins without their spines. I found several with spines that were still alive but I threw them back into the ocean. I also found a live, large starfish. I threw him back, too.

We splurged on Monday night and went to the Dixie Stampede in Myrtle Beach. I have been to the one in Pigeon Forge, TN. The girls had never been. It was a lot of fun and the food was great, too. We were on the south's side.

Tuesday night we ate at Johnny Rockets at Broadway at the Beach. We went in a lot of the shops. The candy shops are amazing. I ended up with some salt water taffy and some of my favorite Jelly Belly flavors. At 10:00 we saw some amazing fireworks as we were standing in the fallout area.

Wednesday was the last day there so we stayed near the beach and pool. It was a great trip. Lauren and Cindy are tan, Katie used 1 1/2 bottles of sun screen (yes, it does work) and I have sunburn in several places.

We left early Thursday morning. Where does the time go? Well, it's back to the real world again. Someone needs to help feed the sheep!!