Planning My Vacation
In our last post, we promised you windsurfing koalas. When we promise windsurfing koalas, we DELIVER.
Even though it's the beginning of August, Mrs. Webguy and I haven't taken a real vacation. We'd hoped to go to France and watch the Tour de France or England to watch the Olympics but a representative at our credit card company suggested that Statesboro, Valdosta or Ft. Oglethorpe was about as far as our credit card would stretch. Already having visited all three, we decided to stick around Atlanta.
However, our fortunes have changed and I've set out planning a little jaunt beyond the borders of GA. The missus loves the beach but Florida this time of year is a bit unpleasant with the jellyfish, stifling heat and general lack of wind. The water is too warm for any sort of seabreeze and the afternoons are usually punctuated by lightning and thunder. Thunder, I don't mind, but lightning gets my attention.
I heeded the advice of my good friend CV, gave up on the idea of windsurfing in August and looked for a place to play golf close to a beach. I really don't play golf. With my ADD, I really can't get much past the 14th hole without getting terribly bored. But if I go on a golf vacation this time of year, it's pretty much like going on a windsurfing vacation. I'm not going to do either, but, it is a vacation.
Beach and golf. I put those terms into google and skippng over a couple of Florida links for reasons we've discussed, I see: myrtlebeachgolf.com. I grew up in NC so I'm familiar with Myrtle Beach. I actually spent the week after high school graduation there in a house with friends. I'm not sure what my parents were thinking when they said I could go and it's precisely that week that makes me fear the worst when my kids ask to do just about anything.
Apparently Myrtle Beach has "over 70 championship golf courses". I had no idea that there were that many golf championships in Myrtle Beach, but I had no reason to doubt that claim. I saw it on the internet and Snopes.com had no contradicting information. In fact, wikipedia claims there are 120 golf courses there but my kids' teachers warn me anybody can edit wikipedia. Whatever the number, it seems that there should be plenty of golf courses not to choose from when I decide not to play.
I never knew that about koalas!
I try adhere to the old maxim of always bring your windsurfing gear when you go anywhere. It's painful to be on vacation beside the water, see whitecaps and know that your gear is 200 miles away. I've done that too many times. So, if I could go to Myrtle Beach not to golf, I could also go not to windsurf. Plus, I'd just put up on our wiki information about Oak Island, NC which a kind correspondent had said is only about 40 minutes from Myrtle Beach and a great place to windsurf (or, in my case, not windsurf).
Only lodging remained so I searched for "windsurfing hotel Myrtle Beach" (windsurfers always stay at nice places) and hit the jackpot. Not only is there a hotel in Myrtle Beach that would seemingly cater to both my needs and budget but it's named the Windsurfer Hotel. Imagine that. I don't ever remember seeing a Windsurfer Motel in Hatteras, the Keys, Hood River or anywhere else. But, there, in Myrtle Beach, is THE Windsurfer Motel. I mean, it's like being a carnivore and seeing a restaurant named The Disabled Wildebeast. You just know it's going to be good.
While the food is really fresh here I have to catch my own dinner, then I have to put up my own tray. For this, they have a tip jar?
Gleefully, I pull up their web site. There... there, on the front, is a picture of two windsurfers! And, the logo. Well, okay, the logo is a piece of bad clip art that was drawn by someone who had windsurfing described to them by a blind person. More about bad clip art next week.
The surf and mountains that Myrtle Beach is known for.
Okay, kids. The guy in the front is probably a really good windsurfer but he's doing the "starfish". You don't want to do the starfish. Keep your hands closer together.
And a picture of a young lad walking with his father along the surf.
Current and future windsurfers frolic through the surf in this photo that looks
I admit that the surf depicted with the windsurfers looks significantly different from the father/son shot which is probably a stock photo. Everybody knows that Myrtle Beach has huge waves and mountains in the background. That's probably why it's so popular with windsurfers - who, let's remember, have their own hotel!
Plus, there are so many things to do while staying at THE (emphasis ours) Windsurfer Hotel.
Question: Is this hotel close to Myrtle Beach? I don't see much in the description. Anyway, no mention of windsurfing in the actual description because, of course, it's obvious; it's THE Windsurfer Hotel. I'm sure a classy spot like this would offer gear rental - the latest gear and instruction. Maybe I'll get a good deal on some off rental kit. I can't wait to get lessons from some exotic European dude working the summer in the States. Maybe one of those wild and crazy Poles like a Jerzy or tanned Greek like a Panagiotis. "Bend ze nees, not ze vaist!"
With unbridled enthusiasm, I consult my bride. "Doesn't this look wonderful?", I ask. Fortunately, she's the smarter half of our relationship and fires up tripadvisor.com.
Hmmm.. maybe a few negative reviews recently.
2 of 5 stars Reviewed July 31, 2012 NEW
The only reason I am writing this is because I use the reviews.... Pros are the location and the front desk staff. The cons were when we first arrived (husband ,wife and 3 daughters). There was four dirty pillows and five dirty pillow cases and 1/2 roll of toilet tissue; Not much planning or attention to detail on housekeeping = bad first impression. Two nights later after coming back from dinner and turning on the lights, there were roaches running for cover. "
Roaches. Okay... how about the next review?
2 of 5 stars Reviewed July 23, 2012 via mobile
I found this hotel on tripadvisor and it was number 50 I thought that was good and the pics looked nice...I was so wrong as soon as we walked in I was shocked, it was so dirty there was hair all over the kitchen floor. The refrigerator was so dirty and sticky where u open it, gross. I spent the first hour of my vacation with my 3 kids and husband cleaning and disinfecting the room, "
Well, it's possible that there are a few disappointed customers among the many. The next review is much more positive, four out of five stars:
4 of 5 stars Reviewed July 20, 2012
This was our second time staying at The Windsurfer. Loved, Loved, Loved it!! The location is FAB!! We stayed on the 8th floor in a 2 room suite with a kitchen. The views were amazing. Yes the place is older, and yes sometimes we waited a while for the elevator, but it was well worth it. The landscaping is beautiful. Our room was clean, and the pools were great. Believe me, I brought my flashlight to look for bugs,none found!! The parking does suck, but we were always able to get a spot close to the hotel. The street side can be noisy at night, but what street isn't? We had a great time, and wouldnt hesitate staying there again. "
A glowing review! It's FAB!! (emphasis theirs) Of course, overlooking the fact they had to walk blocks for parking and the noise outside was noticeable when you are eight stories up. I mean anyone who brings a flashlight to look for bugs is an experienced traveler. I never check into the Ritz without mine.
Seriously, when your level of expectations are so low that you bring a flashlight to check for bugs, I don't even want to know what rates one or two stars.
I think Myrtle Beach may not work out for us.
Did you know that kayak.com lists 19 hotels near Kite, GA? Now there's an idea. Kiting in Kite.
