It took a while to get going- not like that was unusual- and we had lots of good-byes- and there were thunder storms with torrential rain, slow traffic through Decatur where we stopped for gas. One of the stations where we attempted to get gas was infuriating.
First of all, we were pretty pale compared to visible population around there. Secondly, the gas pump wouldn't work- so Joe had me go in to ask about the pump. The owner said that sometimes the premium pump didn't work. So, Joe tried to use the plus pump, which didn't work. So, I got to go in and ask about that one.
The owner said, "We don't have any gas except for regular."
I said, "You couldn't put a sign or something?!?!" He just shrugged. Pretty irritating- with the camper to manuever- just to try to get gas- and then to have this baloney. phoey.
So we drove across the over-pass, the GPS telling us to turn and recalculating, to another gas station. This station at least had gas. We also filled up our water cups with ice water, and picked up a bag of ice for the cooler. We got back on the road and at the state line, had to switch to Eastern time. So, we were due in St. Matthews around well after 5:00. We didn't stop for lunch, just munched on pretzels (thanks to Cyndi) with a bit of peanut butter on the ends. I was pretty hungry by the time we rolled into Joe's dad's place.
Cory, Kristen and Josh had arrived about an hour earlier- so we were greated by a bunch. They had decided to hold dinner until we got there, and we had hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and cucumber salad for dinner. It was great. Jim and Sandi were super about getting our rig set up with power- and our air conditioner made our sleeping quarters nice and chilly!
Koen and Kira chose to sleep on the floor of the living room in their grandparent's house- so once again, Joe and I had our sleeping quarters to ourselves. (They had slept in the spare room at Cyndi and Randy's for our stay there- even though there was no air conditioner in the house!)
Joe had called Jim for advice about the slider- you remember how we lost the ability to push the button and have the slide just move while we were in Anaheim? We have been manually pushing it out and in, making sure to put the slide blocks in before traveling, since then. There were a few overnight stops where we didn't bother to push it out- but since we basically just slept there, it didn't matter much. Jim contacted some guys who helped him look for the part. Of course, since the company that originally made this particular camping trailer sold out to another one, chances of finding a motor for it were small. He had a line one one with a woman in Lexington, so he and Joe headed there first thing Tuesday morning.
When we were hooking up for the night, Joe noticed that one of the truck tires was low. They used the gauge on it and found out that it was about 30 pounds low on pressure. They filled it and checked the remaining tires, as well. In the morning, when they got back from Lexington (with no luck on the motor for the slide) they noticed that it was low, again. Obviously, if it lost pressure that fast, chances were pretty good that there was something in it. Jim knew of one in St. Matthews, so they headed out to have the tire fixed. It did have a nail in it- so it is good that we had time to check it. (Did I tell you that during our visit to the chapel at Loretto, there were small coins to keep in pockets- with the footprint poem on some and other inspirational quotes? I found one that has St. Christoper on it with a short prayer about traveling in safety that I got for Joe to carry. He has it in his wallet. It seems to be working, since all of our auto emergencies have happened in places that have access to repairs. Knock on wood! :o))
We got ourselves organized, collected a few of the beach chairs that we have left in Jim's hangar during past visits, handed a walkie-talkie radio to Cory to communicate during our drive and headed for Myrtle Beach. On the way, we stopped at a fruit stand for peaches, watermelon and a cantaloupe. The three hour drive seemed short compared to many of our trips.
The GPS took us right to our RV resort- which is HUGE! (Truly- there are 734 full hook- ups!) There are permanent homes, yearly leases, and the "transient" spaces, where we are. We are right next to the restroom, for easy shower access, as well as washing dishes. We are only a short walk from the beach or the pool. Joe did well when he found this place back in November! The first two days here were overcast, which made the temps more pleasant. We hung out at the beach and took a dip in the pool in the afternoon both days. I checked out the General Store- which has reasonable prices, surprisingly enough!
Day three was hot, clear and intense! We chose to spend the morning at the pool and then, after a lunch of leftovers, we headed to the beach for the afternoon. There are jellyfish all over- but they don't have stingers. Koen picked one up out of the ocean- they look like the little jellyfish on some show that I can't remember- just little stubby "feet" under the umbrella top. Very peculiar! There are lots of little crabs, too, and some guy caught a baby yellowfin tuna in a net out of the surf.I also found a live sea urchin- too cool! It was moving its spines on the beach. We watched as the surf took it back out- hoping that it made it far enough to be safe.
We walked to the beach in the dark to watch the lightning in the clouds- it was awesome!
The kids are all having a blast, though Josh has thrown a few "I'm tired and hot" fits. He finds the ocean fascinating, on this, his first visit. He is hot and cold about the pool, though. I would guess due to the fact that he can't put his feet down to the bottom.
This morning, we awoke to torrential rain. Apparently, the storm that was out to sea last night, moved in to shore. We got a brief break and then another moved in. When it rains here, it is NOT just a sprinkle! You only go out into it if you want to be soaked! We debated pulling the awning in, but decided to leave it- it weathered the storms pretty well. We opted to get some food at Costco while the weather was off, and while we were in there, another storm moved in. Luckily, Joe went to get the truck in his wicking shirt, so the rest of us only got a little wet. He wrung it out and it seemed to dry pretty quickly.
The storms seem to have moved off, for now. The forecast is from more tonight, and through the next two days. Luckily, we have things that we can do in the camper, so we are good! I have enough food for the next three dinners- so even if we can't go to the store (there is a Walmart less than a mile away!) we are set for dinners. There is also a mall, near the Walmart- but we haven't visited that, yet. ;o)
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