North Myrtle Beach, 2022
As Summer 2022 rapidly approaches, I get excited for my annual family vacation. This year we settle on a more populated and action-packed North Myrtle Beach.
Although I flew to the beach last year, this year I chose the time-tested transportation of four tires on hot pavement. My parents’ car will be filled to the brim with people and beach equipment, so I snagged a ride from a different family; one that’s joining the beach trip for the first time this year.
I always find interest in living a-day-in-the-life of a different family. Their quirky mannerisms, their familial way of communicating, and everything in-between comes to light in a more personal way. I’m no stranger to my own weird quirks and habits, so I don’t judge; I sit back, observe, spark insightful conversations, and hide laughs from peculiarities everyone else has since dismissed.
My ride leaves promptly at 3pm Friday afternoon; soon we’ve got rubber on the road to one of my most cherished weeks of the year.
Goocher!
As someone who’s spent hours upon hours in beach chairs, it’s safe to say I’ve become picky about what ones I use.
The chairs my family bought years ago are beginning to fall apart after thousands of miles of travel and years of abuse, both by us, the intense sun, and the neverending sand. When I looked for a replacement chair online, the cheapest I found was over $30. I wasn’t ecstatic about the price, so I procrastinated on buying it.
I went home to visit my parents over Fathers Day weekend this year, and Saturday morning we hit some yard sales. We approach our second yard sale of that chilly June morning, and I spot the holy grail: the exact same beach chair I’ve been searching for and it’s BRAND NEW! I quickly realize the treasure I’ve stumbled across and immediately give the owners $2 for the +$30 beach chair.
I’m now fully ready to bask under the hot South Carolina sun in just a few weeks.
Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
Going down to the beach is a process, and timing is always a big concern. Once we’re within a few hours of arriving on the sandy shores, we’re reminded our room might not be clean until after 5pm- so we’ve got time to kill before we can unpack. Brews and jokes are cracked open, an assault on the beach is made, and a week long of family fun and good times is officially kicked off.
As always, the trip involves several large families all piling into one house in close quarters- one of my favorite parts. Eventually we get in the house and get comfortable with our new space. This year we rented both sides of a beachfront duplex, which boasts four floors, several kitchens, two pool tables and an air hockey table. My younger cousins are getting older, and this house provides a little more action than what our traditional beach has to offer.
Saturday morning arrives, and it’s not long until I’m absorbing the sun’s sizzling rays, drinking and having a good time. As I’m sitting in my new chair, I feel a small splatter on my back. I’m not totally sober at this point, but I’m not buzzed enough to dismiss the reality of what just happened. Someone else notices, confirming the thoughts in my head, and pictures are taken; I got pooped on by a seagull! My dad exclaims “That’s good luck!” as I make my way to the ocean to wash myself off.
Coincidentally, I wasn’t the only one to be blessed with runny seagull droppings that week; two days later Grandma had a bird bomb dropped on her! I don’t know what kind of luck we should expect from our raw encounters with wildlife, but I eagerly await whatever that may be.
My Need for Speed
Once everyone stumbled out of bed early Thursday morning, we prepared breakfast to fuel us for the jetskis we’d soon be riding. Even with each jetski holding two riders, we only found one place that could rent us 10 jetskis at a time (so we could all ride together of course).
Papers were signed, life jackets were thrown on, and we finally saddled up and took to the water. As my cousin and I were trolling away from the dock, I could feel the massive potential of the aquatic speed machine. Soon we were racing up and down the intercoastal channel, hitting as many waves as we could find.
I’d never driven a jetski before, and it took some getting used to at the beginning. Our jetski peaked at 64 km/hr, enough to temporarily fulfill my need for speed on the warm Southern Carolina waters. It’s safe to say I’ll be investing in a jetski or two in the next few years.
Being True to Yourself
Anyone who knows me is aware of my weird mannerisms and theories of how the world works. A few examples from this trip included pasting aloe leaves on my sun-warmed skin (since I wasn’t wearing sunscreen after writing my last article), going on at least three meditative walks a day, being mindful about food I was consuming that week, and of course the random, off-the-wall opinions I espouse to unsuspecting family members.
Despite all of this, I still wouldn’t change a thing. Only by being your authentic self can you truly live in a peaceful, stress-free internal and external environment.
Living according to others’ standards is a losing game to play. The implication is you’re supposed to live how others think you should. If you uphold the expectations that others place on you, you give up responsibility for your life. Your intuitive sense that helps you navigate the world fades away.
The alternative is being your uncensored, unhinged self, and letting others adjust to you. It’s one of the most powerful ways to experience a sense of freedom in this world. Those courageous enough to live up to their personal truth are bound to find love and happiness in this world. Once you start living your own life on your own terms, the beginning of your new life emerges.
Coming to a Close
As we began wrapping up our trip, the familiar “What did we even do all week?” exclamations become more prevalent. Between riding waves, laying in the sand, soaking up the sun, walking the beach, playing the cornhole tournament, and catching up with family we haven’t seen in months, there’s a lot to pack-in to just one week of vacation.
The trip was a huge success per usual. We were missing a few family members this year, but we were able to snag a few other family friends willing to join in on the fun. Having a larger-than-normal, mostly-functioning family is a blessing I can’t imagine life without. I’m already looking forward to our trip next year and the excitement it always brings!
“Remember to have fun, and never be afraid to lose your sunglasses in the ocean.”
Dante
