#67 Myrtle Beach SC

#67 Myrtle Beach SC

October 11-15, 2019

We left Emerald Isle and went back over the Intracoastal Waterway.

The landscape begins to change as we head inland again.

This is the land that the outer banks protect.

Here is another North Carolina highway access using the U-Turn.

Unlike the outer banks, Myrtle Beach sits on the mainland of South Carolina and right on the Atlantic Ocean.  The very commercial town offers any modern convenience you want.

We stayed at Ocean Lakes Family RV Park.  These critter,  similar to Scooby Doo toons, serve as camp mascots. The Jackson family has owned this park for 48 years. During that time the park has grown to the largest campground on the East Coast.

Smaller single dwelling houses stand between multi-storied structures.

 Ocean Lakes Family RV Resort offers nearly a mile of beachfront for the 859 campsites and 2,569 annual lease sites.  During the peak season, 25,000 to 30,000 guest visit each day. Their grocery store, restaurant, laundry, rec center and nature center, mini golf, activity center, water park with slides, a lazy river and Splash zone operate with great quality that can compete with any private similar business.  They provide lots of activities and put out a monthly calendar of events.  We didn’t understand the  magnitude of the October calendar at first.

We went to look at Myrtle Beach.  It was too hot for me and people covered the beach everywhere you looked.    I found it too many people to deal with and headed back to the RV.

The park also rents club cars, the best way to travel around the park.  Many people arrive with their own cars.  The parking provided near beach access points allows club carts only. 

Our last visit was in a December and few people were here. We had a site next to the beach.  This time we were a couple of sections back.  There are about 16 sections in the park.  Our section had 75 campsites of the 859 in the park.  The next one back had about 360 site.  AND the office lady told us the park has been booked solid since July 4^th.

As I walked back from the beach I talked with this group putting up their display.  The family returns year after year for the festivities.   It reminded me of the Happy Camper displays at Christmas in Chula Vista.  Saturday festivities .....just had to share.

This display drew a lot of attention.  Brave trick or treaters had to enter the tent to receive their treats.

Displays light up at night!

These were a few of the decorations in our area alone.  The entire park was alive with colorful, huge, Halloween décor.

Nearly every cart showed some type of Halloween gear.  Some cart definitely went all out.

When I made our reservations, I don’t remember anything being said about the festivities. The Halloween celebrations turned out so successful, the park now offers it the last three weekends in October.  Hourly activities occur on Friday and Saturday.

Just had to share the Saturday line up!

9 am to 12  Pumpkin Carving, painting, decorating contest

9 to 11        Family Fun Festival….face painting, games, photo booth etc

12 noon      Pet Costume Contest

1 pm            Family Costume Contest…with mini contests too

3 pm            Terror under the Sea…a presentation at the Nature Center having Sealy Doo the mascot  

                                               defeat scary creatures.

4:30-6:30     Trick or Treating…..campers can sign up to provide treats and get a sign so the kids know

                                                               where to go.

6:30              Creepy Site Crawl…..judging the displays

7 pm            Monster Mash….dance with a DJ and announce winners of all the contest.

The six ladies across the street have been friends for 20 years and come for the activities every year. They gave out candy, and provided us with a wonderful view of the costumes.

I was amazed that for the hundreds of kids trick or treating, very few costumes appeared to be identical.

Most kids arrived in carts.  They jump off the cart, collect treats and then the family moves on to the next one down the road.

Some pets still wore their costumes.

Adults were also in costumes.  Loved the Flintstone Crew! 

An adult Woody from Toy Story.  Not sure if the scary guy is adult or not.

Little ones were assisted by loving adults.

Love the costumes!  I just couldn't resist sharing.

This dragon impressed!

At one point we had a cart traffic jam on our street!  What a fun event!

We passed several huge lots that looked like storage yards for RVs.  After being in the park we found out why. 

  When they arrive, one of these trucks brings the RV to the site.  When they leave, the trucks return it to the storage lots.  We saw at least 3 different truck drivers in our section alone.  One minute the RV is there. Next moment its gone and they are bringing in another.

Myrtle Beach certainly know how to kick off the Halloween season!                  

Off to Charlotte NC and NASCAR next!