Up, Up and Away

I felt like Marty McFly in Back to the Future. I was called a "chicken" and had to prove my bravery. Unfortunately doing so took me 75 feet into the air with only a parachute and two small silver clips between me and plunging into the ocean. I did the unthinkable for someone terrified of heights and not really keen on the life that lives in the ocean –– I went parasailing.

This past weekend 4 of my good friends from college flew into town and we decided to spend the weekend at the beach. While we were sitting on the beach Saturday morning Kate and Tracey decided they wanted to go parasailing. I of course said "Hell no" in the most polite way I could. But after alot of "Bawk Bawk Bawk" talk I somehow found myself putting on a life jacket and hopping on a banana boat heading towards the parasail boat.

I was terrified. Scared poopless. The Matthew McConaughey look-alike captain and his assistant harnessed the three of us to a bar connected to a rope with a small knot tied to the parachute and the next thing I knew we were 75 feet in the air. All three of us thought we were going to vomit. In fact Kate and Tracey apologized for calling me chicken and dragging me along.

After about 5 minutes and lots of heavy breathing I finally opened my eyes. The view was amazing. We could see for miles. We kept looking for stingrays and sea turtles, but all we saw were giant jellyfish and seaweed. I bet parasailing over the Gulf of Mexico would be awesome with the clarity of the water. After 20 minutes (yes it was a really, really long 20 minutes) it was time to "dip" us. Just as they were bringing us down we saw dolphins jumping out of the water. That was way cool, until we realized we were being dipped right near them. And just for future reference in case you are crazy and decide to parasail yourself, "dipping" is not just your feet, rather they plunge your whole body into the water before pulling you back up.

So I did it. And I lived. Definitely an experience of a lifetime. One that I can honestly say I do not see myself doing ever again.

Before we went up.
Getting ready to go up.
Going up. At this point I am still oblivious to what I am doing.
Going higher...
Getting dipped.
And still being dipped...
Going back up.
Finally coming down.
Okay I think I am safe to wave now.
Getting ready to land... Thank goodness.

Broadway at the Beach

Yesterday we spent some time walking around Broadway at the Beach. Why it is called Broadway at the Beach when it sits way off from the beach itself, I have no clue. It is a really cool place with activities, shopping, food and clubs. The kids had fun feeding the gigantic (pretty gross if you ask me) fish. Maybe next time here we will go miniature golfing or to the NASCAR Speedpark. If you ever come to Myrtle, Broadway at the Beach is a definite "must-go".

Matt, Chris and Sami getting ready to feed the fish.
The nasty fish. There has to be hundreds of them all over.
Matt trying to look casual.
Say cheese Sami.
What a cute couple.
Sami and her new friend Ryan.

Swim Fun

The kids have had a blast swimming in the indoor and yes, even the outdoor (don't worry mom, it's heated) pool. Tomorrow we are hoping to hit the beach for a while.

Magiquest Hell

When you think of going to Myrtle Beach on vacation you think of sand, sunscreen, the ocean. Sadly since this part of the nation is going through an unexpected cold spell the beach and ocean are out of question, so we have had to find non-water activities to do.

The front desk staff recommended we take the kids to Magiquest. Think Dungeons and Dragons meets Star Trek. First we waited in line for TWO hours to get inside. Yes, you read that right –– TWO hours. Then once inside it was hell. Imagine hundreds of people running around trying to conquer "quests" for the opportunity to slay a dragon. Honestly we never really understood what we spent another two hours (yes TWO) inside doing. But hey the kids were having fun pointing their wands and mastering quests and the people watching was top notch. Will we ever go back again? Mostly likely, hell no. But it made for some great laughter.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

Hard to believe it is only 41 degrees outside right now. But hey. I'm at the beach... so who cares. Okay not totally true. I do want it to be a bit warmer than the 57 expected today, after all I am at the beach.

We have a 10th floor oceanfront room at the place we stayed last night (we are going to our condo tonight). It makes for a relaxing morning when you can watch the sun rise up over the ocean.

Spring Break Here We Come

We are going on a mini vacation for Spring Break this year. For the month of March, Matt and I will see each other for a maximum of 10 days, and maybe less in April, so we decided to go with the kids on a short vacation over Spring Break.

We talked about a bunch of options, but when a guy at Matt's work suggested we meet up with his family at Myrtle Beach, we jumped at the chance. It is only 3 hours from here, plus their kids are the same age as our kids, and the best part... we are staying in a brand new, 1100 square foot villa, for only $200!!! For those that know me, you know how cheap I am so this is like Christmas for me.

I'm sure the guys will golf half of the time and my plan is to sit on the beach and read, read, read. I am looking forward to some great family time and great 2007 Spring Break memories.