Our First Family Vacation
Our first family vacation…
We set off on Friday June 29th for Myrtle Beach… The kids had no idea where they were going until we were about half way there… I love love giving our kids great fun surprises!! They were so excited!! We arrived and all of us were so thrilled to see the Majesty of the Ocean.. It always reminds me to remember Jesus is far bigger than ANY problem I could ever have… Water has always been a source of stress relief for me… It symbolizes peace for me…
We spent our first day on the beach laughing, jumping thru waves and all of us being silly & having fun.. I so enjoyed being playful and silly with my sweet husband ❤ and amber & I jumping into the waves together was such a special time for me- one I’ll remember forever.. Seeing her face light up in laughter at the waves knocking me over, priceless.. The next day we spent at Wild Water & Rides water park…. Thomas & I rode the lazy river together, then amber & I rode it together bunches of times…amber & I faced our fears of the huge water slides & together we rode them… So fun!! Hearing her giggle!! Brandon found a game machine & of course He Won! He won a Best Buy gift card for $10.
The next day we slept in late & then went on a cruise to Waites Island for shelling…
Waties Island is named for either William Waties Jr. or Sr., who searched out and claimed large tracts of land in the Waccamaw, Pee Dee, and Horry/Georgetown areas.
The island was inhabited by the Waccamaw Indians prior to the arrival of Europeans. The area was originally given to James Minor via a land grant, eventually coming into possession by Waties’ family. For a short period, the island was known as Waiters Island on maps, due to a typographical error. The land was purchased in the 1920s by Horace Tilghman and given to Coastal Carolina University as a grant by his daughter, Anne.
Waties Island is, for the most part, land untouched by human development. This is the result of the entire mass tending to fall under the jurisdiction of a single family or facility who choose not to develop it or have a distinct purpose in keeping the island undeveloped. This underdevelopment of the island contrasts sharply with the surrounding Grand Strand area, a beach region that is mostly developed. In addition, Waties Island is a barrier island with a significantly varying climate and ecology compared to the surrounding city land. It is one of the last remaining undeveloped barrier islands on the South Carolina coast. These factors have contributed to its use as a research area by students and faculty of Coastal Carolina University. The island has a conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy placed on it.
Apart from its significance as an ecological research facility, it also has a rich anthropological history. The island is home to many American Indian artifacts, including burial mounds and ceramics.
Along the way, we saw tons of Dolphins! Incredible!! The island is not developed & looks like something out of a movie.. Beautiful!!!
The late afternoon we went to enjoy a little more of the beach… And the next day, we shopped a little- Brandon bought 2 hermit crabs, Mr Crabs & Meap.. Amber bought a Custom designed One Direction TShirt… Thomas got a New York Yankees Beach Umbrella & New York Yankees Beach Towel with Mickey Mouse in Yankees uniform… And then on our way home… I believe it was a successful family vacation… Just not long enough… Very thankful for my family..
