Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

30 December 2022 to 28 March 2023

Introduction

We start off by heading out in December. We look forward to our adventures in a different condo, different location in Myrtle and for those who don't like heights (like us), we're trying a condo on the 9th floor.

It didn't take as long as going to Florida and we arrived in Myrtle Beach

We arrived on 1 January to a really nice condo. A nice 3 bedroom condo on the 9th floor.

and lastly the master bedroom

And even a clock for the beach

We had a quick supper at Cracker Barrel

On 1 Jan we also had tickets to the Carolina Opry for their Christmas Special.

The next day we had a beautiful sunrise

And the sun set behind buildings so we missed it

So Sharon asked me to go mini putt. I research and found some good ones that hopefully (we had hoped) that the grandkids would like. Well, the first putt that Sharon makes, it went in the hole. Yes, a hole in one. I was ecstatic-well let's just say that I was happy-being the competitive person that I am, I immediately began my plan---I complained about the lack of proper putters, the shaft wasn't the right height for me and the color of my ball made me lose perspective of the hole as the sun shone off the carpet too brightly. Yes, she eventually beat me.

As a victory meal, I brought her for Mexican food which she enjoys

Sharon took advantage of the pool area, here she is in the outdoor pool

Then the indoor heated pool and hot tub

Of course she enjoyed the Lazy River. One thing I learned from other seniors was we'd walk against the current to get some exercise and then let the lazy river take you after that. Of course we also learned that having a "Pool Noodle" worked better in the lazy river than the tubes.

Though there were morning walks that were wet and some were colder than they should have been, Sharon, the trooper, was out there.

On 15th Jan A spaceX launched Falcon Heavy which was carrying the US Space Force USSF-67 mission to geostationary Earth Orbit.

During our time in Myrtle, we tried to FaceTime with everyone. Here's my son Matthew and my mother (94 years old and doing FT). Kathryn FaceTime'd me also but I don't seem to have the picture.

This was my first visit to the South Strand medical Center, Yes, I was in a hallway!! lol

When we went to WalMart (near our condo) to get my medicine, we noticed this camera in the parking lot. It is captioned as the "Lot Cop".

So I had to use this apparatus a few times a day. Did it work...well, let's just say I didn't notice a difference.

On one of my walks, I met some horses and after a few weeks, I realized that they do horse rentals down the beach. I believe they are from Horseback Riding of Myrtle Beach.

Dolphin sightings are always fun

For an impromptu meal, Sharon and I headed over to Damon's and ate overlooking the ocean.

One day Sharon and I went to Top Golf. It's really neat. Sharon loved it as she sat and talked with some people while ordering a coffee and watching me practice-practice-practice.

On some occasions given bad weather I did go to the gym and use the treadmill.

But I enjoyed walking on the beach the most

This one gentleman has modified a wheelchair that allows him to navigate the sand in a very different way.

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On 29th of January, we went to the Carolina Opry with Rick and Heather Johnson (people we know from Kingston)

We went to see a "Staying Alive - Bee Gee's Tribute". Now a funny story. We went out for supper and then when we got to the Carolina Opry, not very many people were around so I asked someone to take our picture. Afterwards we heard music and I said, oh, are they warming up...the usher said no. The show started at 7PM. We were already 15 mins late. OH BOY. So I blamed Rick!

Does Rick play golf...well here is on the Whispering Pines which we played a few times. Did he beat me? Well, let's just say I sent him a little something that should help. LOL we had fun.

 

Once January flew by, we greeted February

Another month and another sunrise greets us

On the 1st of Feb Wayne and Vickie came for an over night stay as they were heading to Florida. It was soon to be Vicki's birthday so we bought her "Black Forest Cup Cakes" (her favorite)

On one of our outings we went to the Texas Roadhouse for Supper

I went for a golf fitting at Club Champion. It was a gift from Sharon which I gladly accepted. It is quite the experience. I was lucky to have William C. Fields to help me. A professional master fitter and member of the PGA.

We started by me just hitting my own 6 iron to warm up

After a warm up, he started with different irons and mixing shafts. We went through Mizuno, Cleveland, Srixon, Titleist and PXG to name a few. I hit a ton of balls and a mixture of clubs.

WC explained to me the different weight systems and how he believed it would help improve my game

Once we (based on data) chose the iron and shaft, it was just a matter of choosing the grip. With all that done, we just needed to wait for the irons to come in. As a note, I initially chose the PXG Gen 6 irons with a D4 weight and when I went to the range, they were too heavy for me. WC said that he could make them lighter. I explained that I don't think that these were the best clubs for me. He said that we could "retest" and I went back for another go-round. It ended up that the Titleist T200s were the best at a D2 weight. I was happy. I went to the range when they came in and I enjoyed the look and the feel of the clubs and the ease with which I could swing them. Thanks WC for all the effort you put into making my life easier on the golf course.

We went to Damon's for a Valentine's supper

She had champagne!!

Later in Feb we also went to the Carolina Opry for another show-this one called Time Warp.

They always finish their shows with a tribute to the serving and retired military.

We had some beautiful weather

Just before Steve came, I had another episode of breathing challenges

Later in the month, Steve and Shelley came for a 10 day visit after having visited George (his brother) & Linda in North Myrtle Beach.

Shelley showed us what she could do in the water as she "body surfed".

At the end of a walk, the pool lovers enjoyed the water while I sat on the balcony and took their picture.

in the pool or just relaxing...they were enjoying the beach

We also found a place that served great Banana Splits.

We had some good suppers at the condo. Thanks to the culinary expertise of Shelley and Steve.

On one of the days we went to Mellow Mushroom for pizza

And with any great day, the sun sets and the moon rises

Then comes our last month, March

One thing that Sharon and I enjoy is having our breakfast/lunch on the balcony overlooking the ocean. At other times we take in the solitude and just read our books. As a note, this year we joined two libraries to see which one would be better. We breathe in the air and look at the wild life.

We did take time out for a beer around 4PM

A few times we went shopping...Sharon's favorite pastime as you can see from the picture below

But now for some group shots

Steve and Shelley left on the 3th of March. During all the times I was in Myrtle, I had difficulty breathing. I had spent a few mornings at Emergency but nothing really came out of it. I got a puffer and some aerosol nubulizer treatments. We said goodbye to our visitors and on the 7th of March, I went to Care Now Urgent Care to address my breathing difficulty.

7 March 11:15am.

We had spent the better part of the morning at Care Now Urgent Care. When we got out, it was nearing lunch time so we decided to go to Damon's for some lunch-Sharon likes their shrimps. Going up the stairs, Sharon tripped on one of the steps and broke her left humerus bone.

I am posting this picture from their website because Sharon saw it (elevator) and said it was a sign (literally) for us to take it. I always want to walk and get my steps in. So in essence, it was my fault.

For those of you who can read slides, here is a great CT Scan that our insurance approved to be taken (BTW $3500 for this) Her end result was a nondisplaced fracture of the proximal left humerus. No surgery was recommended and yet, when we arrived back in Canada, our Orthopedic Surgeon (Dr Bardana) had said that he would have recommended surgery. Anyways, as of this update (22 April) Sharon is still sleeping in a lazy boy chair and can not endure the pain of laying flat on a bed. When I saw this I told Sharon she was being too transparent.

Sharon spent the majority of her time after the accident in this position.

So with this happening, we advised Thomas. We were feeling bad because we wanted so much to meet Jessica. Thomas said that he wants to come to help. We were proud parents to hear that.

Thomas and Jessica with Jasmine and Gavin drove down to Myrtle for March Break.

They sent this picture of them leaving.

And their arrival.

Hello Jessica Bolduc. Nice to meet you.

They soon ended up at the pool where I took some pictures (after having approval from Jessica to take as many pictures as I want and also permission to post them) lol

Thomas and Jessica were also able to go for a walk on the beach. Let me say here that both of them were so very helpful and took care of Sharon and prepared meals...the list goes on. I couldn't be more proud and happy to have them there-especially at this time in our lives. Thanks.

I just want to say here that the water can be a little cold in March. Well how cold...a picture tells the story.

Jasmine and Gavin went picture taking themselves by the ocean.

Jasmine and Gavin-you can try but you can't hide from the long lens of the camera

Family time

Frisbee anyone?

Sharon and I watched (and photographed) from above

Thomas and Jessica just chatting and taking in the sights

The weather was not always agreeable and we had to layer-but the smiles were always there.

Father and daughter (and her picture is posted under protest-if you look closely, she is saying-"grandpa-NO)....

Gavin, in his own words was "chilling" though he did spend a fair amount of time in the gym.

But coming to Myrtle Beach was also about keeping up with work loads. Thomas was doing remote work

Jessica had a project to do for her Masters of Counselling psychology (MACP) from Yorkville University Keep at it Jessica, we support your work.

I was able to go for a few walks with Thomas on our own. It was refreshing and fun to have a chat with Thomas about many things...which we all know Thomas can chat about many things lol

Thomas having a chat with his mom

At the end of March Break, Thomas and family departed for Kingston. Thanks for your visit guys, it was fun and you really helped physically and with bringing up our morale.

With Thomas and Jessica gone, we had to fend for ourselves. One thing we noticed is that we are not as tall as they are. Guess who put the popcorn away?

Well as March finishes we start our way back home

We stopped to have lunch with some good friends from Virginia. John and Betty Dickhute.

On another note, for those of you who enjoy airplanes and other flying machines, here are some of the items we saw in the sky. (NO, I was not able to catch the Chinese balloon)

These little helicopters were always flying around. I asked Jasmine and Gavin if they'd like to go up. Gavin said no but Jasmine said yes. She never got up early enough to allow us to plan it in our day lol

C-17 Globemaster

 

The Helos marked “NAVY” without external tanks are MH-53E Sea Dragon minesweeping helicopters. The markings on both look like HM-15 Blackhawks out of Norfolk. The one with the tanks is a USMC CH-53E Super Stallion. Two variants of the same airframe. They’re huge, seven rotor blades and three engines each. (thanks to Sean Little for identification assistance)

 

Thank you one and all for visiting the adventures of Tassé Snow-Birding in 2023

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