Trip The Lady - The Ultimate Travel Information Source

Wordless Wednesday - I am having a Crabby Day

Debbie — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:23:39 GMT

Overturned Log Truck on the way home brought us moments from death

Debbie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:06:51 GMT

We were driving along Alternate 17 South and had just left Georgetown headed towards the Sampit Community. The skies were cloudy but the first drop of rain hadn't begun to fall. The air was crisp and the autumn leaves were shining brightly in the small rays of sunshine coming through the clouds. There wasn't a vehicle in front of us and only a small pickup truck a couple miles behind us. As we turned the curved, there was a straightway and it appeared the forest trees were falling in slow motion onto the road. James hit the brakes but not so hard to leave skid marks. As we came to a stop the trees were still falling towards us. The last one was now two feet in front of our Jeep.

That was when we noticed the log truck in the ditch. James jumped out of the Jeep to go to the driver. The gentleman in the truck behind us did the same while I was dialing 911. Amazingly, the driver of the log truck was alive and conscious. He was able to climb out through the door which was now facing the sky. His first words as he came out of the truck were did I hot anybody? James answered "I don't know".

I still can't find the story in the news so we can only hope there was no other vehicle under the body of the truck or trailer. We are so very lucky that we weren't going a little bit faster, or spent a little less time in the store when we stopped for water. Or any of a million other things that kept us from being five seconds closer to those falling trees. Count to five - that's all it would have taken for us to be under that pile of logs, crushed.

Myrtle Beach's Stormy Seas

Debbie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:26:23 GMT

A misty fog covered the sea at sunrise this morning. I found it to be equally as beautiful as the mornings the sun was shining bright. The waves are crashing higher upon the shore and the sound is amazing today.

Moon Beams over the Ocean

Debbie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:08:09 GMT

Last night was almost a full moon and it was stunning. The moonbeams glittered off the ocean as if to magnify her beauty. I don't know which was more perfect - the moon or the ocean. Maybe I was seeing both at their absolute best! The sight was truly inspirational.

Happiness Is...

Debbie — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:11:50 GMT

Happiness is sitting in a hot tub, all alone, and hearing nothing but the ocean waves crash upon the shore..... well, that and the bubbling of the hot tub water

Yes, that solo cup has my whiskey sour in it; and yes, i know the dangers of drinking and using a hot tub - DON'T DO IT! But, I did. It was 9 p.m. and there was nobody around. Nobody. Just me, the hot bubbling water, my drink and the sound of the waves crashing upon the shore. It was the best 15 minutes I have had to myself in months!

Vacationing during the off season has it's pros and cons. A huge con is that only two of the umpteen hot tubs were open; the pro was I still got to enjoy one all by myself. The other one, the one I found first, was occupied by two topless ladies and I had no desire to intrude nor participate

Several sets of steps later I found the other hot tub that was open - unoccupied and waiting to make my sore muscles feel more relaxed. I am relaxed! It's been awhile and it feels pretty good so I am going to bed and enjoy the restful night that must lay before me. A couple of whiskey sours and alot of steaming hot water bubbling have made my entire vacation seem euphoric. At least for the moment

My plans for tomorrow? Breakfast, Bloody Mary, hot tub, walk on the beach, bloody mary, hot tub, and so on and so on... Sounds like the perfect vacation day to me

The Sun is Shining Bright!

Debbie — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:17:41 GMT

Friend goofing off with the lazy river float

The sun is shining really bright today! Definitely a day to get out and explore even if we do have to bundle up a bit. The winds coming off the ocean are a little bit chilly and it's only 45 degrees at the moment. Time for some breakfast and some roaming around!

Waves of Silver Light Crashing upon the shore tonight...

Debbie — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:12:22 GMT

Moonshine over Myrtle Beach from Debbie Brewer on Vimeo.

Liquid waves, of silver light
Crash upon the shore this night
Reflections of a moonbeam bright
Bring Ocean's treasures within my sight

Sunday Morning Sunrise

Debbie — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:06:51 GMT

I was up early this morning and the sunrise was absolutely beautiful!

The view from our balcony - Crown Reef Resort

Debbie — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:01:30 GMT

Our first night here and I am already upset with the staff and their customer service skills. I requested (and yes, i know what that means) our rooms be together and not only are they floors apart, the parking lot is less than 25% filled and the staff refuse to be accommodating. So, on to better things! This is the view from our balcony

Ocean Waves crashing upon the shore

Lazy River Ride & Pool Deck

Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC - my questions before arrival

Debbie — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:39:55 GMT

Saturday morning we will be leaving to begin our vacation. We will be staying at the beautiful Crown Reef Resort. I still haven't packed so I decided to take tomorrow as a vacation day too! Before leaving for any vacation to a hotel I want to know what to expect from my room. I've read good reviews and bad reviews and I am still confident I have made the perfect choice for this trip.

You have to remember that any review is written based upon the expectations of the reviewer against the experience they enjoyed, hated or were impartial too. I have found the best way to know my expectations prior to any vacation is to call and ask every single question I can think of! This way, my expectations are within the possibilities of the answers I received. For example, a hotel lists a pool as an amenity but you know you are going to visit during winter hours. If you want to use the pool call and ask if it's heated. Do not ever assume anything - the more questions you get answered before your trip the happier you will be because you have changed your expectations to what the hotel really has available. Likewise, you may choose not to stay at a certain hotel because you know it is not going to meet your expectations. Vacations don't happen nearly enough - why risk ruining yours?

I have read their site extensively - www.crownreef.com - and I know our room layout looks like this:

I know there is a stove and refrigerator. I called and asked so I also know its comes with cookware, cutlery, dishes, glasses, coffee maker, microwave AND there is not a blender this might not be important to everybody but we're packing ours

Other questions I asked, and the answers I received were:

you have a lazy river ride - is it heated? NO
you have hot tubs are they heated in the winter? YES
will the treasure Chest be open for Breakfast? YES
do you have pools towels? YES, there is a $9 deposit (we will bring our own)
are the glasses in your room styrofoam or plastic - NO, they are real glasses - we'll bring Solo cups
whats the earliest we can check in? 3 PM unless your room is ready earlier
do you offer a late check-out? 12 NOON if we're not busy that day
do you provide kitchen linens? YES
are campfires allowed on the beach? NO
from your webcam I saw tire tracks on hte beach, are vehicles allowed? NO, not privately owned vehicles
what is your occupancy level during this time of year, the webcam showed nobody on the beach? ABOUT 50%
i have a debit card - what is the deposit policy since I have paid for my rooms in advance? TELL the clerk checking you in and it is a $25 deposit
what size beds are in my room? QUEEN
is there a resort fee? YES, $3.xx per night
what does that pay for? FREE wireless Internet and parking among other amenities

So, again I say the best was to enjoy the most of your vacation is to be prepared. Don't be disappointed because you didn't realize something and you could have asked, and prepared yourself for the outcome, before ever leaving home Look for my posts from the road as I will be twittering from my cell phone!

Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/tripthelady

OH! One more word of advice and I will shut up for the evening I found these rooms, all ocean front efficiencies, through www.TravelZoo.com and they were $29 per night and include breakfast! Go sign up for the TravelZoo newsletter today and get HOT deals delivered to your inbox!

I am leaving for Myrtle Beach on Saturday! WOO-HOO!

Debbie — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:02:08 GMT

Saturday we will leave Cordele, Ga and head northeast for Myrtle Beach, SC. There are 6 of us going this time - three couples and we got a great deal on rooms! We will be staying at the Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach. The rate was truly too good to pass up on. For $29 per night, which includes breakfast, we each have an ocean front room with stove and refrigerator. Best of all - all three rooms are ocean front! Oh wait, I've said that a couple times already

I was lucky enough to find this awesome deal because I signed up for the newsletter at www.travelzoo.com

TravelZoo is a great site and you can find all the cheapest rates and best offers for your area delivered to your inbox. Cruises, flights, rental cars, rooms, it doesn't matter - TravelZoo covers it all!

I look forward to posting pics and blogs from beautiful Myrtle Beach next week and sharing with you all my smiles. Hating you will not be there first hand for the laughter We laugh alot when we are all together and you know what they say - laughter is good for the soul. I say wine is good for the soul. Mix them and you have someting beyond wonderful!

PS shhhhhhh, we're treating a dear friend to this trip for her birthday - who could refuse an offer like that? HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR EGG aka TC!!!

A toast for the trip - may your heart be filled with laughter and your arms contain my joyful hugs in just a matter of days! CHEERS!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! raises her glass of Captain morgan! clink! clink!

Maxine or Martha Stewart?

Debbie — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:58:50 GMT

Martha's Way* Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.	Maxine's Way* Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it, anyway!
To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.	Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix, keep it in the pantry for up to a year.
When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.	Go to the bakery! They'll even decorate it for you.
If you accidentally oversalt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix-me-up."	If you oversalt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: "I made it and you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes!"
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.	Celery? Never heard of it!
Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.	The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust so I don't.
Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.	Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink!
If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.	Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you.
Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.	Leftover wine??????????? HELLO !!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Debbie — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:41:20 GMT

New Blog

Debbie — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:12:32 GMT

www.featherpluckers.com is my new blog! Meet Tweak!

Wordless Wednesday

Debbie — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:16:21 GMT

In just a few short weeks I will sinking my toes into the sand of Myrtle Beach, SC

Debbie — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:37:50 GMT

November 9-14 you will find me each morning waking up before sunrise so i can sit on my balcony, or walk the beach as the sun rises. The most beautiful sun rises happen over the Atlantic ocean when your room faces East. I'll be sure to take alot of pictures.

I am also looking forward to some really fresh seafood! Coastal restaurants are usually the best for seafood. So, it's time for me to begin my next travel notebook. here are a few of the sites I have found useful for gathering the information I want to print out and take with me.

The Sunny Day Guide has tons of information about everything - and also coupons!

Ghost Shows and a coupon!

Restaurant Coupons

Grand Strand Magazine with maps

I am getting excited about spending 5 nights on the beach, watching the ocean waves roll in, calming my sould with each crash upon the shore...

Packed & ready to go!

Debbie — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:53:21 GMT

My Personality - from youniverse.com

Debbie — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:27:44 GMT

$29 rate, ocean front suites at Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC

Debbie — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:02:56 GMT

TravelZoo is one of my favorite booking sites. They have an email list you can sign-up for and they will send you the hottest deals in your region and nationally. One I received this week was such a great deal I booked it! Of course, I want to share it with all of you cuz it really is a deal to good to pass up

This is not a sponsored post and i will benefit from this in no way. In these tough economic times it is hard to find the money to actually travel on. One great tip is to travel Sunday through Thursday for the best rates available at most all hotels. The great thing about this offer is Friday & Saturday is only $39 per night.

I have never been to this resort before or to Myrtle Beach so this is going to be a fun adventure!

Hotel Amenities:

There is only one Crown Reef - featuring the finest accommodations and amenities on the Grand Strand!

Over 20 pools, hot tubs, and fountains
Indoor Pools & Kiddie Pools
Kiddie pools
Longest lazy river in Myrtle Beach at 575 feet
Two Restaurants
Lobby Lounge
Oceanfront fitness center
Guest laundry facilities
Two video game rooms
Summer kids activities program
Two ATMs on property
Complimentary airport shuttle service
High-speed wireless Internet connection

CLICK HERE for more details and to book you room!

Frozen Dead Guy Festival in Nederland, Colorado

Debbie — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:03:49 GMT

Ok, so hubby is watching Smithsonian HD after getting home from work and I hear the words "frozen dead guy festival". Normally, I hate when he changes to stuff that is going to try to make me learn something. If I want to learn about something I will read a book or Google it. Television is strictly for entertainment; however, those four words have my mind reeling with possibilities! FROZEN DEAD GUY FESTIVAL.

There could be so many reasons to freeze a dead guy with the #1 reason being, uhh, he's dead! But, to celebrate that you froze him must have some wonderfully ghoulish story just waiting to unfold.

If you don't already know, I am a horror fanatic. Well, not to the point that I have Frankenstein and Dracula hanging on my walls, or goth decor in my living room. Just to the point that I can't think of a single horror/slasher film that I haven't watched, at least once, even if it was B- or worse. It's an addiction. I can't help myself.

Anyhow, back to The Frozen Dead Guy Festival. I am definitely adding this to my bucket list! Apparently, in 1989 some Norwegian guy brought the corpse of his father, Bredo Morstol, to the U.S. How do you explain that one to get through customs? Excuse me, I'd like to check my dead dad? Would you please be quick, he's starting to thaw....

Seems the dead guy's son and granddaughter planned to create a cryonics facility. Unfortunately, they couldn't afford plumbing nor electricity so they didn't get real far with that idea. The son was deported for overstaying his VISA and the granddaughter was to be evicted for violating local ordinances which required one to have electricity and plumbing. During this time old Granddad was still frozen solid using liquid nitrogen and dry ice in what appears to be a deep freezer. She was keeping him dear old Granddad in a shack behind her home. A reporter got hold of the story and went to City Hall to help keep the old man on ice. The city created a new law making it illegal to store dead people or any parts of dead people on private property but, ~~insert crypt keeper cackle here~~, the granddaughter was allowed to keep Grandpa under a Grandfather clause which states if you already have something illegal prior to a law being created you get to keep it, it's grandfathered in.

Now, Frozen Dead Guy Days is celebrated Friday thru Sunday on the second full weekend of each March. There are coffin races, a parade, and a Frozen Dead Guy look-alike contest! I have to see this before I die. Please excuse the poor quality of the pics - I took them of the tv

Team America won the coffin race!!!

The Fat Elvises (or is that Elvi?) did not win

The Course

Apparently you must carry your coffin through the mausoleum, under the swing set and around the jungle gym and back to the starting point.

Seriously, I have to go watch this before I die.

Trip The Lady - The Ultimate Travel Information Source

Wordless Wednesday - I am having a Crabby Day

Overturned Log Truck on the way home brought us moments from death

Myrtle Beach's Stormy Seas

Moon Beams over the Ocean

Happiness Is...

The Sun is Shining Bright!

Waves of Silver Light Crashing upon the shore tonight...

Sunday Morning Sunrise

The view from our balcony - Crown Reef Resort

Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC - my questions before arrival

I am leaving for Myrtle Beach on Saturday! WOO-HOO!

Maxine or Martha Stewart?

Martha's Way*

Maxine's Way*

Wordless Wednesday

New Blog

Wordless Wednesday

In just a few short weeks I will sinking my toes into the sand of Myrtle Beach, SC

Packed & ready to go!

My Personality - from youniverse.com

$29 rate, ocean front suites at Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC

Frozen Dead Guy Festival in Nederland, Colorado