Myrtle Beach Days (January 2023)

2023 was our first full year of retirement and it was a busy one. We started the year off by returning to Myrtle Beach, SC. We got a good deal at a Hilton property, Ocean Enclave. It is located in downtown Myrtle Beach and we got a great room with a balcony over-looking the ocean. The property has a great game room with a pool table, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, and a nice outdoor fire pit for those cold January evenings. While in Myrtle Beach our daughter was able to visit us for a few days.

We did what we usually do when in Myrtle Beach including exercising in the fitness center, walking the beach, walking on the boardwalk, eating out, riding the SkyWheel, and going to shows. This year we went to the musical variety show at the Carolina Opry. We nearly had the theater to ourselves.

We did try two new activities this time. First, we visited Warbird Park in Myrtle Beach. It is located behind the Myrtle Beach Airport and close to Market Commons. The park is noted for the actual military planes that are displayed there. The park itself use to be part of the old Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, which closed in 1993. The planes on display at the park are an A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog), an A-7D Corsair II, and an F-100 Super Sabre. In addition to the aircraft on display, there are several memorials at the park including a 9/11, POW, Vietnam, Korean, and others. It is a great place for pictures and contemplating the sacrifice of those who have defended our country.

Our second new activity was done at the Myrtle Beach State Park. We visited the park and then went horseback riding on the beach. My wife and daughter had been on horseback many times, but this was my first time. It was a lot of fun, but I did get a really stubborn horse who didn’t take direction well. Overall, we had a great time during our 11 days in Myrtle Beach. The weather was mostly sunny; the temperature was cool to cold; and the beach was mostly empty.