My Favorite Vacation Spot....
Summer is for vacations and beaches. Today I’m introducing
you to my favorite vacation spot—Garden City, South Carolina. I started
visiting Garden City in 1984 and went every year for over ten years. My
children grew up on the beach, making friends and creating lifelong memories.
Garden City isn’t a city in its own right because it doesn’t
have a mayor or city council. Garden City Beach is located directly south of
Surfside Beach (and about 10 miles south of Myrtle Beach) and ends on a
peninsula at the mouth of Murrells Inlet. In some places, it is only a strip of
beach houses on the ocean and more houses on the marshy inlet.
Garden City is best known for the Garden City Pier, which
has been recognized as “Best Pier” for six years. The pier is approximately 668
ft. long with a rain shelter at the end of the pier which includes a bar, nightly
live music, and dancing during the summer months. Garden City is also home to the original Sam’s Corner that is
famous for its hot dogs. There’s also an old fashioned arcade next to Sam’s. My
children loved playing skee-ball or “Wack-a-mole”. We’d wrack up the tickets and walk away with a
handful of trinkets and huge smiles on our faces.
Garden City is also near some of the most delicious restaurants.
Two of my favorites are Drunken Jacks which overlooks the inlet and Lee’s Inlet
Kitchen. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menus, although the
hushpuppies with honey butter is my personal favorite! Order two baskets and
you won’t be sorry! When we sit at Drunken Jack’s we are able to see the ships
in the marsh as well as the goats that inhabit the small island nearby.
Check out this video about Drunken Jack's: http://youtu.be/p50DnpB0W1Y
Check out this video about Drunken Jack's: http://youtu.be/p50DnpB0W1Y
Because of my love of this vacation spot, I set my second
Wilder Sister novella in Garden City.
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Can a summer fling last a lifetime? Stacey Wilder escapes to the beach for a much needed vacation and meets a woman who tempts her passion. But Stacey hid her desires growing up because small town Catholic girls don’t fall in love with other women.
Mandy Kenzie is a Southern girl who also dealt with discrimination growing up over her choice of lovers. When she meets Stacey, sparks fly and passion ignites. But will their beach fling become a forever match or just a vacation affair?
Can Stacey and Mandy make their long distance relationship work? Or will they let the prejudices of their upbringing ruin their chance at happiness?
Mandy Kenzie is a Southern girl who also dealt with discrimination growing up over her choice of lovers. When she meets Stacey, sparks fly and passion ignites. But will their beach fling become a forever match or just a vacation affair?
Can Stacey and Mandy make their long distance relationship work? Or will they let the prejudices of their upbringing ruin their chance at happiness?
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Thank you for stopping by and taking a tour of my favorite vacation spot! Be sure to share your favorite place to visit or your favorite beach! After all, we all are looking for some new fun places to visit or add to our bucket list!
Melissa Keir
Nice post, Melissa. Growing up in Chicago, a favorite pastime was building sandcastles and mini Stonehenges on Lake Michigan's sand beaches. And finding wave-polished beach glass is always fun.
ReplyDeleteI love the beach glass I found along Lake Erie's shores. I even made them into some pretty jewelry!
ReplyDeleteJust a couple of weeks ago, I was on Lake Michigan up at the tip. It was so peaceful and I loved hearing the waves. I can imagine how wonderful your trips were.
I don't know where my favourite location would be other than it'd involve sand and water - oh and plenty of sunshine.
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I would love to visit South Carolina one day!
ReplyDeleteMy best vacations were either in St. Pete, Florida or Estes Park, Colorado. I also want to go back to Hannibal, Missouri one day.
I used to love going to South Haven, Michigan for my summer get away, but now that I live here, I guess I'd have to say Traverse City, MI. Like you did with your book, Melissa, I've used South Haven in my mysteries, either setting scenes there or at least mentioning the town.
ReplyDeleteMaris, I've been to South Haven. It's a beautiful place. I'd love to go back again. My husband and I are staying at almost all the Michigan State Parks.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, I agree about sun and sand. The water just is so soothing.
Molly, you should. It is great for families too. I would love to visit Missouri. I haven't been there yet. :)
My favourite spot involves palm trees, sun and sand. Grand Cayman was a fabulous place.
ReplyDeleteBut if I can't get there then Wrightsville Beach, NC close to where my daughter now lives is a fun beach.
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My favorite spot is Mackinaw City. There's a little park to the east of the bridge where I enjoy just sitting and looking at the mighty span between the 2 peninsulas.
ReplyDeleteI love that part Diane. We were there two weeks ago. You should try the park just over the bridge on the west. It's got some beautiful views of the bridge too!
ReplyDeleteThere are some tropical islands I'd love to try Daryl but Wrightsville Beach is pretty. Have you ever been to Wilmington, North Carolina? They have a great aquarium near the beach.
One year, my husband and I drove from Southern Cali to Key West for our vacation. Very cool. :)
ReplyDeleteTina, that sounds like a wonderful trip. I imagine you saw so much of the country! I'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, Garden City sounds so beautiful. I've been to Kiawah Island, SC, and Charleston, and loved them both. I live near the Jersey Shore and the Delaware beaches and grew up going to the beach. Met my husband at the Jersey Shore. Now, my favorite vacation spot is Arizona, followed by Nevada.I love the Southwest.
ReplyDeleteWow, sounds beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where my fav vacation spot would be--lol, I have to go on a few vacations first, then make my choice.
What a great vacation idea :) Our favorite vacation spot, I've never been to and we're saving up for three years.
ReplyDeleteSince we have two small kids, we're hoping for a Disney cruise. And in three years our daughter will be almost 5 and our son 8 - good ages I think for that trip.
Great pics. Lovely post, Melissa. I love the beach and can understand why you enjoy your favorite spot. It's still got that small town feel.
ReplyDeleteMy family's favorite quiet beach got "discovered" a few years ago and the outlet stores moved in. The crowds and traffic have destroyed the town's beauty and peacefulness and we're heartbroken over the loss. I hope your favorite beach doesn't change.
Best--Adele
South Carolina looks beautiful! Think I'll add it to my bucket list:)
ReplyDeleteMy husband, Cara lived in NJ for a while. I'd love to go see it. I also want to see how the beaches there are.
ReplyDeleteCharleston is so pretty too. There's so much history in South Carolina.
Brenda, make sure you take time to enjoy yourself. Vacations are important for recharging. I hope you get to take one soon!
ReplyDeleteAndrea... the Disney Cruise sounds like a wonderful time. Even I still think about that for myself! You are right about the kids' ages. They will love it! I hope you'll share when you do go!
ReplyDeleteThanks Paris. I do love the more laid back style of Garden City. It's close enough to Myrtle Beach for the sights but more of a family place.
ReplyDeleteAdele, I know that Garden City has changed but I think that with Myrtle Beach being close by, that's where the big changes have been. It doesn't hurt that Garden City is pretty much a peninsula and filled with homes. There isn't any place for businesses. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect vacation spot to me. No wonder your characters like it too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jean. I'd live there if I could :)
ReplyDeleteWow! What a neat place. I can see why you'd love it to death.
ReplyDeleteDid you see how empty the beach was? D'Ann, that's the best part. We have a beautiful beach without all the tourists and crowds. :)
ReplyDeleteWe just had some family move to South Carolina-definitely gonna have to check this out! Looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh Jennifer, you should certainly check it out! It's a family place, although you might want to diet before you go... The food is yummy!
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to live in Emerald Isle in NC and we'd visit her a few times in the summer. I really don't have one particular spot I can call a favorite. It sort of depends on what I'm feeling up for. Tweeted.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite vacation was Sardegna which I've only been to once as it is far and fairly expensive. But I thought it the most beautiful place. I love your cover and it makes me want to go to the beach right now!
ReplyDeleteThank you Toni. I've never heard of Sardegna. I'm going to have to look it up! :) I wish I was at the beach right now too. There's also something about vacation because you are away from the daily grind!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ella for stopping by! You already live in paradise! I can't wait to hear about your sailing trip and all that you get to do with that! Congrats on your latest contract!
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand. It has everything you can ask for all into two small islands, so you can do whatever you on the same day you want to do it.
ReplyDeleteLiza, New Zealand is a dream vacation. I even heard that there aren't any bugs there!
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
ReplyDeleteI actually spent my honeymoon in 84 in Garden City. I know Pawley's Island (always visiting the Hammock Shops and Tyler's restaurant each visit). I'm very familiar with the area. We even had to evacuate the year Hugo hit. We were there the week before he crashed ashore and then I saw the rebuilding the year after. My former in laws still go to the area each year for the winter and I had wanted to go this July with my children because they hadn't been back to Garden City in years. But they are busy with school. I'm sorry about your mom. It is bittersweet when you have to let go of loved ones. Thanks for stopping by!
My favorite vacation spot is anywhere there's sand, sun and beautiful water.
ReplyDeleteI hear you Amber! I do love the beach with the waves and the breeze. :)
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