Thursday, February 26, 2015

An Adventure






I love a good adventure, I really do, but when it includes not one, but two snowstorms, not so much. As you know Reece and I hit the road early Monday morning for our annual trip south to visit my parents. About four hours into our trip we hit a snowstorm. Reece had finally fallen asleep, and I was able to focus on the road, or I should say lack of road since it was covered in snow. I managed to get us through with no troubles at all, except being thrown off our planned arrival time at our overnight stop. And the good news, as we drove further south the skies were blue and the sun was shining. I had high hopes that the storm we hit would be the only crimp in our travels.

At our overnight destination I checked in my parents, and my dad mentioned there was snow and freezing rain in the forecast. What??? It seems I brought winter with me. We awoke Tuesday morning to clear skies, and sunshine. I was feeling pretty good, and we set off for the final stretch of our journey. About an hour in, things changed and we drove right into the snowstorm. It was a treacherous drive with snow and ice covering the roads. It seems a lot of people down here don't really know how to drive in this weather, and since they don't often get this kind of weather I completely understand that. I put my hazard lights on and slowed right down for the next three hours, yes, you read that right, three hours. There were cars and transport trucks in the ditches, and the highway was closed at two different spots. Lucky for us one of the closures was right at a rest stop, so they diverted us off at the rest stop and then right back on, but with the second closure we weren't so lucky. We were stuck on the highway. The GPS was giving me the option of a detour, but there was no way I was getting off the main highway to travel unknown roads in a snowstorm. So we sat there. Reece was listening intently to Heidi on audio, and my knitting basket was sitting just behind the driver seat, so I reached around and grabbed my latest project and knit away.

Finally we started moving, and continued along our way. It was still slow going, but we were moving, and although we were much later than expected, we finally reached Myrtle Beach. Upon arrival, we unpacked swimsuits and hit the pool, and while Reece frolicked in the water with my mom, I hit the hot tub to soak away two days of intense driving.

The temperatures, at the moment, are below seasonal, and as you can see in the photos, Reece is still wearing his winter hat. Today rain is in the forecast, and the temperatures are expected to remain low for the next few days. By low, I mean 5C, which is actually quite warm compared to the temperatures we have been dealing with at home. The temperature won't stop us though, from enjoying the beach, searching for shells and other ocean treasures, hiking and swimming (indoors). We will soak up all the goodness of this beautiful spot no matter what.

48 comments:

  1. Glad to hear you've arrived safely. Sounds like two days of pretty intense driving so I really hope you enjoyed that soak in the hot tub!

    Now that looks like my kind of beach! Enjoy,! xo

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    1. It was pretty intense, but two days into our vacation it has been pretty much forgotten :)

      It is an awesome beach, and we are enjoying many beach walks. xo

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  2. My poor Kim, I'm so sorry... I had checked the forecast after your email the first night and was praying it would not be as bad as they had said. :-( I'm so happy you are there safe and sound. I'm hoping next week warms up for you the way it will warm up for us. Have fun you two! xox

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    1. Well, it was as bad as they said, but we made it, and every time I drive in a storm my confidence for winter driving goes up :)

      It will be 60F on Monday, so it will be warming up, can't wait!

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  3. Oh what a roadtrip it was!!! I'm happy to know that you are safe;) Two snowstorms... not so easy! I would have cried I think... Enjoy your visit:)

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    1. I almost did my friend. So far we are, thanks!

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  4. Winter driving... especially maneuvering around others who aren't used to it is the worst. You certainly have had quite an adventure !!! I'm glad you both arrived safe and sound.

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    1. It was tough, but like you said an adventure :) Thank you Erica.

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  5. Chilly beach adventures can be some of the best - breath in that ocean air for me! I miss it having recently moved from Maine to Vermont!!

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    1. I agree, the ocean air is so good for the soul, the temperature doesn't really matter. I will take a deep breath for you on our after dinner walk today :)

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  6. Oh my friend, it seems as if this winter has visited many :0). I am glad that you made it to your parents safe and sound...a bit frazzeld but all together safe. Enjoy the beauty of the ocean in winter, it has a peacefulness all its own. Blessings to you and Reece as you revel in the company of your loved ones.

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    1. Thank you Mari. You are so right, there is a certain calm to the beach and winter, and it is just what my soul has been yearning for.

      I will be thinking of you my friend. xo

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  7. Yes, I was just thinking as I read that you brought winter with you Kim. But you know what? To me any day at the beach is a good day and I have a feeling you and Reece feel the same.
    Enjoy!

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  8. Yes, sadly you picked one heck of a time to drive down south. :-( We were hit with 7 inches of snow at our house yesterday and this counts as the 4th highest snow total in AL since they started recording it! People here are not used to this and yes, everything shuts down. I do hope you'll still get to enjoy your stay and enjoy the time with family.

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    1. I just saw your post, that is a lot of snow for you guys. We are having a great time, and by next week the weather is suppose to warm up.

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  9. Oh heavens, I am so glad you guys are safe! I have a lot more anxiety about driving in the snow than I used to. My body gets tense just thinking of how much concentration and energy you must have used up.

    But, the beach is a good destination to wash away stress. These pics looks so much like the Outer Banks, where I spent many a college spring break in March. It never seemed to matter that it was 50F, just being there is such a healing balm. Hope the rest of your trip is indeed just this.

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    1. Thank you my friend. That is the tiring part, the intense focus required when driving in those conditions...it is exhausting.

      Yes, a healing balm in many ways no matter the temperature. We have been walking the beach and enjoying the sound of the ocean.

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  10. The weather this year has been so odd is so many parts of the country, Wishing you safe travels and a bit of sunshine :).

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  11. I'm so glad you both arrived safe and sound. Enjoy your time away soak up the sun and have fun swimming :)

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  12. Oh my what a terrible drive, I though you were terribly brave driving all that way on your own with Reece (who obviously couldn't share the driving), but to then have to do it in bad weather!!!
    Enjoy the rest of the holiday!

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    1. It seems every year I drive down here I hit a storm, it was a surprise to hit two this year. Thank you, we will!

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  13. I am glad you arrived safely, snowstorms is no walk in the park! But in a way beautiful in all their powerfullness (I do not know if you van say that in english... But I hope you understand what I mean)
    I recieved yr note two days ago, thank you it is such a treat to recieve a handwritten note in the mail!
    On my way to Sweden, we will have some snow there too I fear!

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    1. Yes, I totally understand what you are saying Karin-Ida...Mother Nature has a way of showing her beauty even in a storm.

      Glad to hear it arrived, always nice to send mail across the ocean. Have a great time in Sweden, and enjoy the snow.

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  14. Very glad you both arrived well and safe. Now enjoy as much as you can and relax :)

    Lluisa xoxo

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    1. Oh we are Lluisa, and it feels wonderful. xo

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  15. Glad to know you made it there safe! The weather this winter has been wacky for everyone! :)

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  16. Wow that was quite a drive! I'm glad you made it safely and that hot tub sounds perfect!!

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  17. Yikes!! Happy you made it safe and sound. For some reason we always seem to hit terrible weather in Pennsylvania...love the pics of the pier! I can't wait to get there. I will take 5C over -25!

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    1. Thanks Carrie. Yeah, most people here trouble through Pennsylvania, funnily enough we never have...weird.

      Me too, even though it isn't as warm as we expected, it is lovely to walk outside in our spring coats, minus all the winter gear. And next week, it warms up...yay!!!

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  18. phew. i get concerned in such conditions on the road, now travelling with Miss6. it's how crazy other drivers can be... not slowing down and such.

    i love that you had knitting at the ready! lol

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    1. Yes, it is different driving in these conditions when you have a little passenger, it makes me a little more nervous.

      Haha, there is always knitting at the ready.

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  19. I am so glad that you made it and so very sorry that you hit some delays along the way! I was so hopeful that you wouldn't encounter any snags along the way. Glad that some Heidi and knitting helped pass the time!

    Enjoy your time in SC! I do so hope that at least you get some blue skies out of the deal! Tell Reece we said hello! xo

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    1. Thanks Shel! We are enjoying our time here, so nice to just chill and enjoy time together. The ocean is so very healing for me, and I am letting it work its magic.

      Blue skies and sunshine in the forecast, along with warmer temperatures...can't wait!

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  20. So glad you arrived safely, it sounds a horrendous journey. Fingers crossed the warmer weather materialises, but that ocean looks amazing and restorative whatever the weather.

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    1. Thanks Sally, it was pretty intense, but as of now has pretty much been all forgotten :) We are soaking up the beach, and finally the sunshine and loving every minute of it.

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  21. if I recall correctly, I think last year was challenging to get down there. So glad you are safe and sound, even if it's cold the ocean is beautiful! Hope you get some beach weather soon :)

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    1. Yes, you are right Karen, the last two years, in fact. It seems Mother Nature likes to test my confidence :)

      Beach weather is here, at least by Canadian standards, and we are loving it!

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  22. That was going to be a tough drive anyway but it sounds like the weather made it even tougher. How great to be productive during your stop and fetching the knitting out! I hope you have a restful stay before you have to drive back!

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    1. It did, but we made it, and are now enjoying the beach and the sun. Haha, yes, I didn't put it behind the driver set on purpose, it is just where my basket fit, but it really came in handy :)

      Thank you!

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  23. So glad that you arrived safely. Hope it warms up for you!!

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  24. Wow! So glad you made it safely. I can only imagine how wonderful that bath must have felt.

    Enjoy your time with your parents! The beach looks so lovely!

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    1. Thank you, it was a tough drive, and yes, the hot tub felt great. We are having a great time, thanks!

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