Vacation questions.....

[Miss Mary]

I'm hoping this topic belongs in the Community Forum, if so perhaps we can keep it current. Members can post questions and also post great vacation spots they've visited. Just a thought.

My questions.....

My family wants a warm, beach vacation this summer. Not in Florida (no offense, but we've been to FL a lot!). That said I'd like to find a family atmosphere beach community along either N. Carolina and/or S. Carolina shores. Similar to what Destin, FL offers - numberous condo's for rent, with outdoor pools, laundry facilities, game rooms for the kids, restaurants, recreation. One area people have mentioned to us are the Outer Banks. But each time we look up that area, all we can find are single houses for rent, huge homes! 6, 7 or 8 bedrooms. We prefer a simple 2 BR/2 BA condo, again with a pool. Near a beach. So far I've not found anything but homes for rent in the Outer Banks area. Then I remembered reading about Wrightsville Beach, NC. It looks very nice, less populated but not exactly filled with numberous condo's to choose from either.

If anyone knows of a nice condo/beach community along SC/NC shores, post a link. Also if anyone knows of a good beach community south or north of the Outer Banks, that would work for us too. We can then easily just drive to the Outer Banks and make a day of it.

Thanks a lot!!!

BTW, we vacationed in Destin a few years ago and just loved it. My impression of Destin was it was developed with families in mind. Mostly condo's for rent. Yes it's crowded at times, and I've heard there are major traffic jams there during Spring Break, but overall we didn't mind the traffic. We tried to walk a lot to restaurants and shops.

Mary

[JCT777]

Mary - I have been to Myrtle Beach, SC several times. It is a GREAT beach community. I think they have condo's for rent (not totally sure, since my wife and I stayed with her sister when we were down there). Of course, if you are looking for someplace quiet - then I would not recommend Myrtle Beach. If you are looking for someplace with lots to do - then I would highly recommend it.

Try these links:

http://www.grandstrandbeachhouses.com/main_enhanced.htm

http://www.coastlinemanagement.com/

http://www.oc-usa.com/myrtlebeach/Myrtl ... index.html

http://www.myrtlebeachon-line.com/

[GalvestonDuck]

Disney!!!!!

Oh, sorry...that was another thread.

How about Pawley's Island? Never been myself, but I hear it's nice. The furthest into the Carolinas that I've ever been was Ashville.

[Miss Mary]

John - thanks for the links. I'll look into them. After I posted this topic, I thought of Myrtle Beach. Now I know it's touristy and crowded, but maybe it's what my girls want anyway. If it was just the two of us, we'd opt for quiet!

Shawn - laughed at your Disney answer. Actually they want to go to Epcot this summer. And since most condo's rent by the week, it doesn't sound like they can talk their dad into it. He keeps saying - we've done Disney, a lot! At least 3 times. Just not Epcot as a family. Nina went on a school trip once and loved E.C. So there you have it. I guess we could always look into a condo on the ocean side of Florida. And then drive over one day to Epcot. Except for Destin, we've always stayed with Jim's dad at his condo near Clearwater, where he lives now full-tiime. The Gulf side. Probably shock some family members if we go to the 'other side' of Florida!!! The year we went to Destin, we surprised everyone. Since our kids are teens now, being crammed into one bedroom with 2 full sized beds at my father-in-law's place, just doesdn't quiet sound appealing. We might as well go to a hotel. Still, a lot of Jim's siblings and families visit him.

Well, thanks again you two.

Everyone else - feel free to use this topic for anything Vacation related! We could all learn from eachother's best/worst vacations, etc.

Mary

[blizzard]

I'm going to Orlando on the 29th of this month. Taking one day to head up to bike week in Daytona, anyone else going to bike week??

[firefighter16]

I'm going to Orlando on the 29th of this month. Taking one day to head up to bike week in Daytona, anyone else going to bike week??

Ya if you swing over my way and pick me up I'd be glad to go......

[blizzard]

ROFL ff16, you think the'de find you hiding in some luggage?? lol

[isobar]

Mary, A few years ago we rented one of those big houses on Nags Head along with other family members. If you have family or friends that you can stand being with for a whole week, it works out to be a pretty good value. We enjoyed visiting Kitty Hawk and climbed a lighthouse up in Corolla. There's lots of golf and of course beautiful beaches. If you want more quiet, rent north of Nags Head, like around Duck, which would be our next choice if we get back there. Good luck with your decision!

[firefighter16]

ROFL ff16, you think the'de find you hiding in some luggage?? lol

How about a big trunk......

I'll drill the holes.......

[Miss Mary]

Mary, A few years ago we rented one of those big houses on Nags Head along with other family members. If you have family or friends that you can stand being with for a whole week, it works out to be a pretty good value. We enjoyed visiting Kitty Hawk and climbed a lighthouse up in Corolla. There's lots of golf and of course beautiful beaches. If you want more quiet, rent north of Nags Head, like around Duck, which would be our next choice if we get back there. Good luck with your decision!

Donna - I'm sure it was a wonderful trip and I've known many families who vacation like this. But we prefer it just being the 4 of us. In fact our kids are always bugging us to let them bring a friend. But that friend sure throws our budget out of whack so we've said no. That's another reason why we don't want to stay with Jim's dad....no offense 'Dad'!.....but we like it just being our family. By now we have a routine and for the most part, we all get along. That all said, my husband's family has an annual family reunion in August that totals about 30 of us. 3 days/3 nights at KY Dam Lake, in cabins/lodge rooms. That's as far as I want to go for a huge family gathering. LOL Lots of fun, but a little too busy if you know what I mean.

Mary

[Pburgh]

Mary, I've been to the Outer Banks. It was beautiful but you are so right about most of the homes on the beach being for a large family group. Travel time from where you are to the Outer Banks or to Myrtle is probably pretty much the same within a couple hours.

I'll tell ya, for what you are looking for and the time of travel, I'd say Mrytle is your best bet. I've been to North Myrtle and to South Myrtle and loved them both. For the girls and travel time I bet you guys would love North Myrtle. I know your girls would love Myrtle.

When you go to the Outer Banks the beach is located over a BIG BIG sand dune. At Myrtle, your balcony is right on the beach. I loved that!!!!!!

[therock1811]

I'm going to Ft. Lauderdale in May/June...

[Miss Mary]

Karan - you're right, Myrtle sounds perfect for a family with 2 teens. Try talking hubby into it though. That's going to be the big sell. Jim's always looked at Myrtle as a major tourist trap. Many, many Cincinnatian's vacation there. He's just always rejected that vacation spot! Question for you - is North Myrtle quieter than the main Myrtle section? My brother and his family (Kara's parents/Kris' wife that I write about a lot) have vacationed every summer at Myrtle. No where else. They now want to retire near there someday, at a Golfing Community called Calabash? Have you heard of it? They bought a lot there and will start a new home in a few years. Now we're not into Golfing, so some of these golfing resorts just don't appeal to us. The lazy river pools would really appeal to our kids though! I'll definitely mention but if you can, let me know if N. Myrtle is a better chioice but close enough to the action still.

Jeremy - enjoy that vacation! Sounds nice.

Mary

[Guest]

Miss Mary - check into renting a condo anywhere along the SC/NC beach. You can find so much to do or very little to do. I have been to Ocean Isle and it was a blast. Just hung around the beach and condo.

We are going to the mountains as in Colorado. Plan on riding the Durango/Silverton train - then stay for 5 days in cabins at Grand Mesa - going fishing, hiking, horseback riding and all the good stuff.

I can't wait.

[Miss Mary]

Miss Mary - check into renting a condo anywhere along the SC/NC beach. You can find so much to do or very little to do. I have been to Ocean Isle and it was a blast. Just hung around the beach and condo.

We are going to the mountains as in Colorado. Plan on riding the Durango/Silverton train - then stay for 5 days in cabins at Grand Mesa - going fishing, hiking, horseback riding and all the good stuff.

I can't wait.

Now that's my idea of a vacation Ticka! Can I tag along? Kids want a beach vacation this year. I dragged them to Door County, Wisconsin last summer, a place I always wanted to visit. Laura calls it 'Dork County'.....kids, they don't appreciate quiet, picturesque vacations!!!! I'll look into Ocean Isle. We're hoping to talk more about our vacation this weekend. But like usual we don't get very far. Seems each of us wants something different. Nina goes off on that - hey, I know, let's just go to Hawaii......and we say, oh sure Nina. We can swing that financially.....LOL

Mary

[Guest]

I am sure whatever you decide it will be fun Miss Mary - its a vacation - getting away and being together as a family.

Patricia
Storm2k Admin

[therock1811]

It does...we're talking of all kinds of ideas...but the big thing is that it will likely be on the week before Memorial Day...never traveled too far on that day...we usually went to my grandparent's house then, but they may go with us this year!

[ColdFront77]

Calabash is in North Carolina, not too far from the South Carolina border.

[therock1811]

They now want to retire near there someday, at a Golfing Community called Calabash?

Yeah that's right along the NC/SC border...actually I have been there...there was a boat tour you could take into the ocean which would show you how the fishermen and crabbers work...don't know if it's still there. Oh and BTW, if you're looking for a day trip with history, leave Myrtle and go about 1.25 hours SW to Mount Pleasant...there's a huge estate there with slave quarters from the Civil War era...it's a great history lesson which I highly recommend!

[azskyman]

Our family spent a couple days in Charleston a decade ago. I like the town, but don't know much about it since then.

Obviously there are plenty of people who enjoy that part of the country with the beach and the ocean as a backdrop. I actually preferred Asheville when we were there because I am more of a mountain person than an ocean guy.

Heck, Mary, just pack them all up, put em on a plane, and spend a week on Maui!