Welcome back to the third part of our 21-day Camping Chronicles! In this blog post, I will be sharing our experiences of camping at Myrtle Beach KOA, soaking up the vibes of Myrtle Beach, and of course, some memorable visits to none other than Robert himself - the OG of the fourth generations of Bobbys. Let's get into it, shall we?

Camping Chronicles - Campground #2 Myrtle Beach KOA, South Carolina

We bid farewell to our initial campsite in Virginia before the crack of dawn, venturing into the darkness of the early morning. The journey stretched on for a good seven hour drive, but our spirit remained high. And then, like a burst of sunshine, we arrived at our long-awaited destination: Myrtle Beach KOA. The sun, unfazed by our lengthy drive, continued to shine brightly, welcoming us to our new camping haven with open arms.

As soon as we arrived, we couldn't help but admire the charms of the champs. First things first, we made a pit stop at the office to check-in. While my husband took care of the formalities at the counter, my son and I embarked on a little exciting expedition through the gift shop. Lol!

My little one's eyes sparkled with delight as he laid eyes on the endless array of toys. There were camping-themed playthings, fishing gear (perfect for our beachside location), and even a plethora of other toys that tickled his fancy. You know, it's like a kid’s dream come true!

Once my husband was done handling the formalities at the front desk, we treated puti a delectable ice cream amidst the morning warmth. It almost felt like a paradox, considering the ‘almost like a frostbite' experience I had just the previous night at our first campsite nestled in the Virginia mountains. Haha!

Struggling With Our Labyrinthine Tent Structure

Now we got to our site and ready to soak up the camping goodness! The air was buzzing with anticipation and excitement… until we faced again the beastly task of setting up our trusty tent.

Now, mind you, this wasn't our maiden voyage with this monstrous contraption, oh no! We had already battled it once before, in Fredericksburg/Washington DC South KOA, the very first campground that we visited, and yet, here we were-still feeling like we we're grappling with Rubik's Cube. It's like our tent has a secret agenda of befuddling us, making us question our intelligence with each pole and peg!

Later in the day, my husband's brother swaggered into our camping haven, Ready to join our camping adventure. Bless his soul, his tent was like a compact little shoebox compared to our grandiose camping palace. Haha! It was more like a speedy pop-up tent, effortlessly unfurling itself in no time. While we were still setting up our tent, he was already kicking back, sipping on a cold drink, and smirking at our Herculean efforts. We couldn't help but envy the simplicity of his setup. I mean, we were out here trying to solve the mysteries of the universe with our massive tent, while he had practically invented a new way to time travel with his breeze of a setup. Well played, brother-in-law, well played!

But hey, who needs a mental workout when you can have a good laugh together, right? That's what camping is all about - conquering the great outdoors and laughing off the little hurdles along the way! But of course, we're determined to make the most out of this experience. Despite a few initial hiccups, we successfully set up our cozy home for the next few days. Yay!

Too Many Bobbys!

As I mentioned above and on my previous posts about the meeting with my husband's grandfather that's why we decided to camp at this particular location as it holds a special significance for our family - it is where Robert, the first generation, resides. We've had the pleasure of visiting him during our camping trip together with my parents-in-laws, and my brother-in-law. We took advantage of this rare visit to spend some quality time with him. I was able to take some photos with the four generations but I chose not to share them online for privacy reasons.

Our visit to his (LATE) grandfather was extra special as it marked the introduction for our son, the fourth Robert in the family (affectionately, known as Bobby). Our son's reaction to meeting his great-grandfather for the first time was filled with curiosity and wonder. As the fourth Robert in the family, it was important for us that he met him, since he isn't in his best health anymore. Although our son was too young to fully comprehend the significance, He shyly interacted with his great-grandfather. This meeting planted a seed of connection and family HISTORY.

Exploring Myrtle Beach KOA Campground

The next few days of our camping adventure had a dose of exploration. We ventured around the campground of Myrtle Beach KOA, where we stumbled upon a treasure trove of amenities and activities suitable for campers of old ages. It was like stumbling upon a virtual paradise!

From the moment we set foot in the campsite, we were greeted by an irresistible swimming pool that seemed to be calling out our names. Although we didn't use the pool, it was nice that they have it on the side. In case our little guy decides to go for a swim. But there's so much to do in the campsite, plus at that time, my son had a strong interest in excavating soil, collecting sticks, gathering pine cones and placing them all in a container.

The campsite had a multitude of playground areas that could make even the most fervent park enthusiasts go weak at the knees. When he's finally got over with his sticks and cones, he darts from one playground to another, his giggles echoing through the air. With each slide, and every swing concurred, the smile on his face grew wider and wider.

Later on we stumbled upon this inflatable marvel, it was as if we had discovered a hidden trampoline utopia. My son's eyes were widened with excitement, and to be honest, I was equally awestruck. That thing was massive! Luck an entire trampoline party in there, and you'll have a bouncing extravaganza like no other. Unbelievable, right? Haha!

Oh, but the surprises didn't end there. As we wandered further into the depths of the campsite, we stumbled upon the recreation building. And what did we find inside? Hold on to your seats, my friends - a gaming slot machine! Can you believe it? Gaming machines while camping? Lol

Now, let me tell you about the unsung hero of this campground - the showers and the bathrooms. Haha! These aren't your average, run-of-the-mill camping toilets. No, siree! Forget about squatting behind trees or the wet wipe baths- We were living the high life, remember? Lol!

But wait, there's more! Brace yourselves for the wild ride that is… the laundry facility! Haha! Yes, you read it right. Next to the recreational building, where they called it “ an A-frame building” we stumbled upon a magical place where clothes regained their cleanliness and fresh scent! Haha!

However, for us, the light of a campground had to be just a short stroll from our tent, there is a serene pond nestled within the campsite. We love spending our time there, simply sitting back and observing the graceful geese as they glide through the water. It's a peaceful gateway right in the heart of our camping experience.

Myrtle Beach KOA truly knows how to keep its campers entertained and thoroughly enjoying their time. With amenities, catering to our every desire, from swimming pools to trampolines to gaming machines, and the beautiful nature surrounding us, boredom was banished from our vocabulary.

It is perfect for families like ours with a toddler, providing a playground and a safe area for peace of mind. And the large bathrooms and toilets and the laundry facilities, setting it apart from the traditional wild camping experiences. I am personally grateful my husband chose this type of campground as I am still not quite ready for the wild outdoors. Lol!

While our experience was mostly positive, we did have a nightly visitor and sometimes mid afternoon too in the form of a sneaky raccoon who attempted to steal our food! I recall an incident where I unexpectedly encountered a commotion outdoors one evening. Initially mistaking it for a bear, my spouse and I ventured out only to discover it was actually a sneaky raccoon. This fearless creature showed no signs of being intimidated. It took us a couple of minutes to startle it enough to make it scramble back into the woods. Thankfully, my husband's wise choice in camping containers prevented any major mishaps!

Additionally, the campgrounds were conveniently located less than 10 minutes from the beach, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the area. During our stay, we also had the pleasure of exploring the town.

Blissful visits at Myrtle Beach

One of our most cherished moments was spending time at the beach with my in-laws. They had booked a hotel by the beach in South Carolina and it was such a treat to have them visit us at our campsite and enjoy some quality time together. They also visited our campsite, but can you blame them for opting for a more comfortable place than a tent? I mean who wouldn't want a room with a sea view, right?

During our first visit to the beach, my husband's brother was able to join us. We went in the morning, and the wind was a bit chilly for my taste and also for my son. I decided to put my extra sweater on him as I forgot his at our campsite. He ended up looking like a little old man in his oversized sweater, but at least he was cozy! Unfortunately, my brother-in-law had to head back to work after two nights, so for our next beach outing, it was just me, my husband, our son, and my in-laws.

We parked outside of there hotel in the late afternoon, and the weather was perfectly warm. My son, not even bothering to wear a shirt, was having the time of his life running around and splashing in the water. I laid out a picnic blanket on the sand and brought some snacks and drinks for us all. It was such a relaxing day, and I was grateful that the beach wasn't too busy. There are still quite a few people around, but this beach is so long that it seems to stretch on forever, so there's plenty of space for everyone to spread out. I wish I took more photos of the beautiful beach but I was more focused on spending time with my family and my in-laws.

One funny thing that surprised me during our beach visit was seeing women confidently walking across the street in bikinis. Only in the USA, right? It made me chuckle to think about what my grandma would say if she saw that. She would swear to her old saints and probably be shocked by such a display. But hey, different cultures, different costumes, right?

As the sun started to set, we packed up our things and headed back to our campsite. The beach day was a welcome escape from our daily routines at the campsite, it was a joy to spend quality time with my in-laws. I couldn't have asked for a better way to create memories and bond with family.

A Curveball Journey. From Campground to Hotel in the Blink of an Eye!

The next morning, my husband decided we would leave South Carolina, although we had booked the campground for one more night, but the impending heavy rain and my husband's sudden fever led us to change our plans.

We were on the road when my husband felt uneasy so we decided to book a hotel to allow him to recover instead of driving to our next campground in North Carolina. Thankfully, the following day brought better health for him. He was up and energized again, excited to head the road as if nothing had happened the previous day. Prior to leaving, out son and I enjoyed a delightful breakfast at the hotel, reveling in the diverse food options available to him. Rice, a staple in Filipino breakfasts, was noticeably absent in the American breakfast spread, so I happily settled for waffles and muffins, haha!

With the next stop being North Carolina, we are uncertain about which campsite we will choose, as we already missed the day to the one my husband had originally booked. However, we are optimistic that we will find something along the way, so stay tuned!

Xo,
Gilaine

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_{Hey there, lovely people! I'm Gilaine, aka Purepinay on the Hive blockchain, and your resident Filipina momma on a quest for the next big adventure. I've got a gorgeous little munchkin, a doting husband, and a thirst for all things delicious, snap-worthy, and wanderlust-inducing.}

_{My ultimate goal for this blog is to inspire others through my stories. If my ridiculous adventures and misadventures can put a smile on your face or ignite that travel bug within you, then my mission is accomplished.}

_{So join me, as I navigate this crazy world one snap of the shutter at a time. Let's eat, laugh, and get lost together. Because life's too short to not embrace every moment and leave a trail of smiles and unforgettable memories behind. Cheers to new adventures and unforgettable stories!}

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