Tybee Island Video

I wanted to bring you all a closer look of Tybee Island. Enjoy this short video. Soon, I’ll be bringing you all an update on my Bikini Challenge!

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 I ended up having to choose between going to Hilton Head or Tybee Island. I chose Tybee Island. Thanks to the nice ladies at the Inn at Mulberry Grove, 101 O’Leary Road, for making the recommendation. You rock! Tybee is cool because it’s colorful but not too commercial. I think that’s why so many people like it there. There are some really neat T-shirt shops and stands where you can buy $5 T-shirts. I wish that I’d picked up a few, but I was determined not to spend any money after having to fuel up the car several times.

I just settled in at Tybee beach with a $9.99 beach chair that I picked up at Wal-Mart and watched the scene around me. I vendor on the beach tried to rent a beach umbrella to me for $20 for the entire day. I didn’t have any cash and she didn’t take debit cards or I would have been tempted to shuck out the money for the umbrella. The sun was beaming down on me.

Where is Tybee?

Tybee Beach is roughly 45 minutes away from Savannah, Georgia. It’s an easy drive to Tybee Beach. There was very little traffic an no construction on the road when I went. I took 80 East/Ga-26 to get to the beach. I just kept driving until I saw the signs for beach parking.

Parking at Tybee

Oh, and parking wasn’t bad at all. I arrived at around 10 a.m., and there were plenty of spaces. Tybee Island has a North Beach and a South Beach. I parked on the south side. The lot was nearly empty when I arrived. It filled up by 1 p.m. There were still some street spaces, though. Did you all know that they now have parking machines where you can pay using a debit card to park? I had never seen such a machine before, but I was glad that they were at the beach. I didn’t want to have to put a bunch of quarters in the machine and then come back out and check on it.

I paid about $4 -$5 to park for about four hours or so, if I am remembering correctly. A parking pass pops out of the machine with the time allotted for parking. I put the pass on my dashboard and was able to park in any of the beach lots. Very cool. 

One Weird Guy

Everything was fine at the beach accept for the fact that I was accosted by a drunk guy who said things like, "Hey cutie. You sho are fine," very loudly and rudely.  I don’t mind being called cute, but it was the way he said it, as though he was undressing me or something. Yuck! I think that I said something back like, "I’m not your cutie!" Hmmm. Somehow that didn’t make the impact that I would have liked it to have made. I’ve never been good at making quick comebacks, especially after spending about four hours in the sun.

Panama Beach, Florida is another popular destination for a beach vacation. Panama Beach is experiencing explosive growth. So, you may take a vacation there, and also decide to stay in Panama Beach. Take a look at this YouTube video on the growth in Panama Beach, Florida.

The Florida Keys are tiny islands off the Miami coast. The largest island is called Key Largo, and it is the closest to Miami (about 45 minutes away). Key West is the farthest away from Miami and it takes a couple of hours to get there from Miami. A new bridge, the Jewfish Creek Bridge, has opened. The bridge enhances safety (driving to the Keys was a daunting experience). The new bridge is a sigh of relief to travelers who drove the stretch from mainland Florida to the Keys.

Key Largo differs from boisterous Key West. Key Largo is more like a family beach. You can vacation island-style without being totally secluded. There is a Walmart on Key Largo and the Walmart has swimsuits, bikinis, beach towels and logo items that you’d find in the boutiques. Therefore, if you want to get souvenirs or if you forgot to pack something, you can always head out to the Wal-mart.

Key Largo has been called the diving capital of the world. Other attractions in Key Largo include Dolphin Watching, Sunset Cruises, the theater, water sports and cultural events. The John Pennekamp Camp is one of the most popular destinations in Key Largo. In addition to lying out on the public beaches there, you can take a tour of the mangroves or a glass bottom boat tour.

Water sports are a popular activity in Key Largo. You may parasail, jet ski, or go kayaking. Jacob’s Aquatic Center has a pool and waterslides for the family to enjoy. The three pool complex has fitness programs and scuba certification.

Accommodations in Key Largo include chains like the Hilton, Holiday Inn, Marriott, and Ramada to boutique resorts, like the Azul del Mar. There’s even a Travelodge in Key Largo.

Key Largo isn’t really the place to go to party hardy, but it’s a nice getaway for a relaxing vacation or fun with the family.

Miami is my hometown, and this summer it’s certainly going to be hot in South Beach. Fast cars, beautiful people, if you are craving some summertime fun, take a look at this video. South Beach is a great beach for people-watching, but no matter which beach you plan to visit, go out and have a good time this summer! Don’t let the high fuel prices keep you out of the sun and away from the sun. Spend at least one weekend at South beach, another beach, or the park or even the mountains.

Summer Skincare Podcast

Getting ready to get a tan or lie out in the sun this summer? Before you go on your beach vacation, learn about preventing sunburn how to apply sunblock and techniques to smoothen wrinkles from Mark Renier, owner of Ageless Remedies, a medical spa based in Alpharetta, Georgia which is near Atlanta. Mark focuses on preventing sunburn in this interview. Although I have a dark complexion, I have had a sunburn. What was your worst sunburn experience and what did you do to relieve the pain? Are you going to lie out in the sun to tan this summer or are you using a tanner?

Remember the movie Home Alone? It was a funny concept when the little boy in the movie said that he needed a vacation from his family. Out of the mouths of babes! Do you need a vacation from your family? You are not alone. Taking care of, and meeting the needs of a family is probably one of the most challenging jobs in the world. There is nothing at all wrong or selfish with needing to take a vacation from your family. Sometimes you’ve got to just get away!

You Don’t have to Travel far
A vacation may mean spending a day alone at a nearby beach. You may make a solo picnic, bring some music and a good book and spend the afternoon at the park. I’ve spent a solo beach vacation in Key Largo at an undisclosed resort, about 45 minutes away from my hometown in Miami. My overnight trip wasn’t far from home, but it certainly felt like a wonderful stress-free beach vacation to me!

Travel with Friends
Remember when you used to out off on road trips with your friends? When was the last time that you actually took an overnight trip with your buddies? A vacation with friends is the perfect vacation from your family. Just because you have family responsibilities does not mean that you don’t deserve to spend time with your own friends. Plan a trip with a friends who know are drama free and share similar values. You are sure to have a memorable time.

Should You Call Home?
Just because you are taking a vacation from your family, does not mean that you don’t love them! On my solo vacation, I wasn’t sure if I should call home or not. I was chilling and having such a good time, that I knew that no amount of stress could dampen my spirits. I decided to make the call. I felt a lot better after I did. I suggest that you call home to check in and assure your family that you are having a good time. You don’t have to rub in the fact that you are listening to a Caribbean band on the beach, surrounded by palm trees. That wouldn’t be very nice. If there are tensions at home, you don’t have to call often. Just call and let everyone know that you are safe and that everything is o.k. Then, enjoy the beach, the mountains, or the park!

Where Would You Go?
If you were taking a vacation from your family this weekend, where would you go? What would you do? Would you go alone or invite friends? Leave a comment and tell me your wildest, yet clean, leaving the family at home vacation fantasy. I’d love to hear!

Photo Credit: Chris Gin, Flickr Creative Commons

Myrtle Beach has it all. You can count on having an action-packed evening, thanks to the clubs and bars lining the boardwalk. If you are not into the club-scene, Myrtle Beach has great family parks and activities, too.

Some attractions at Myrtle Beach include:

Family Kingdom Amusement Park

Myrtle Waves Water Park

Nascar Speedpark

Hard Rock Park

Pavilion Nostalgia Park

Where to Stay

Myrtle Beach is divided into five areas: North Myrtle Beach, Central Myrtle Beach, South Myrtle Beach, Litchfield/Pawley’s Island, and Conway. You can find accommodation information on the Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Dining

Myrtle Beach has great seafood, but you will find international flavors represented in more than 100 eateries in Myrtle Beach. From Japanese food to Mediterranean food, there are plenty of choices to satisfy your appetite. Search for restaurants in Myrtle Beach.

Discounts

Are you planning a visit to Myrtle Beach and are looking for a few coupons to help you save money? Well, you are in luck. The Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has coupons and discounts to help you out.

Rules and Laws

There are some laws that are specific to Myrtle Beach. Make sure that you review the rules so you know what to expect before you go.

Kayaks are not permitted between April 30^th and September 15^th in certain areas.

Beach umbrellas and other beach paraphernalia must be at least 10 feet behind lifeguard stands, and they can’t obstruct the lifeguard’s view

Boaters are restricted to certain areas (away from swimmers)

It’s against the law in Myrtle Beach to change your clothes (from bathing suit to street clothes, or from street clothes to a bathing suit) in public restrooms? I wonder if it’s OK to change in the stalls? This is the code from the law:

It shall be unlawful for any person to undress or to put on a bathing suit, change from a bathing suit to normal clothes or change from normal clothes to a bathing suit in any public lavatory or toilet room in the city without obtaining permission or consent from the owner or proprietor. (Code 1980, § 7-10-13)

Glass bottles are not allowed

Technorati Tags: myrtle beach,vacation in myrtle beach,dining,discounts,beach vacation

Photo by Curtis and Eric, Flickr Creative Commons License

When visiting the coast of North Carolina, I fell in love with the beaches in Wilmington and in Brunswick Island. The vacation homes on islands like Long Beach look more like mansions where people live permanently, rather than second homes. Some of the vacationers paint funny slogans or names on their homes, very similar to the names people give to ships. Did you know that the show Dawson’s Creek was filmed in Wilmington? This thriving sea town has cute restaurants, shops, and pleasant neighborhoods. Wilmington is a lovely city for a beach vacation.

Long Beach and Sunset Beach
The homes, the sparkling blue water, and the small town feel would make anyone long to have a beach vacation in Long Beach. It’s a good idea to opt to have a beach vacation in an area not too crowded by tourists. I remember when residents of Sunset Beach, a beach in Brunswick County, several miles from Wilmington, fought to keep the Department of Transportation from building a modern bridge, joining the island from the mainland. They didn’t want the traffic or too many outsiders to taint their beautiful beaches. They wanted to keep the area all to themselves. A place like Sunset Beach is too beautiful to keep to yourself. It’s an excellent family beach for a fabulous beach vacation.

Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is another good choice for a beach vacation. Although the area is certainly more popular than the beaches off of the North Carolina coast, Myrtle Beach is not nearly as crowed as the beaches in Miami, where it’s almost impossible to find a parking space, never mind a spot in the sand to relax undisturbed.
The beaches along the coast of Virginia are also worth a visit for a beach vacation. Virginia has a boardwalk, and a nightlife. Virginia beach has 35 miles of coast and a three-mile boardwalk. The resort area is fun and relaxed, just like a park. People bike, roller blade or walk along the boardwalk, just enjoying the sun on a beach vacation.
All three areas along the East Coast are perfect for a relaxing beach vacation. You can lie in the sun, shop, exercise or even go club hopping. What are you waiting for? It’s time to start planning your beach vacation.

Technorati Tags: vacation in myrtle beach,beach vacation

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With rising airline costs and high gas prices, you it’s best to pack as light as possible for your beach vacation. You also want to make sure that you have essentials to that you can be sure to have fun during your beach vacation. Here are some items that you will want to take with you on your beach vacation.

A camera

I have a hybrid camera/video recorder that I carry with me on trips. I love it. It takes pictures and shoots videos and it’s small enough to fit in my pocket or purse. When traveling to the beach, make sure that you don’t get sand in your camera or video equipment. Bring your charger. An uncharged camera or video recorder is useless.

Sun Block

People of all skin hues should use sun block. I have a dark complexion, and I have been sunburned. It’s an experience that I don’t want to repeat. Although people with more melanin in their skin are better protected from the sun’s harsh rays, sun block is still a necessity. Read the label to see how often it must be re-applied. Most people forget to re-apply it after a few hours, and it does wear off.

A Hat

Hats provide additional protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Get a cute or a sporty hat to wear, and don it while lying back in the sun.

Swim Suits

Try on your swim suit before your trip. Most people are trying to loose a few pounds or body fat before they hit the beach. Join me on my journey!

Medication

Pack your vitamins and medication that you will need while on your beach vacation. Make sure that the tops are on tight.

A Good Book and Tunes

A friend of mine recently shared with me that she would have enjoyed the beach more had she brought a good book to read while her children played in the sand. There’s nothing more relaxing than reading a book while lying on the beach. I’d add an Mp3 Player with the book.

Maps

Bring maps of the area that you wish to visit. You will get more out of the area if you know where to shop, eat, and party. Have a general idea of where things are located, including emergency facilities.

Check Your Cell Phone

Will your cell phone work on your vacation? Look into roaming fees and research connectivity issues before you go. Hint: Metro PCS (an American cell phone) has roaming capabilities. It’s called, Travel Talk. Call Metro PCS before you leave to learn how to enable Travel Talk on your phone and to get details on how to use the account. You have to set aside money in a Travel Talk account for the calls.

Photos from Flickr, Creative Commons License

Photo by left to right:Tatiana Sapateiro and Jurek Durczak