I announced on Christmas Day that the TripTheLady turned one year old.  Well, another moment to remember happened to one of my favorite things.  I have a 2000 Jeep Wrangler.  She's been mine for four years this past Christmas Eve.  I love her and we take her everywhere.  When I got her she had 46k miles on her and this year she turned 100k.  I have to say I loved every mile we've put on her.  Many travels and much laughter!

        

        

It's really hard for me to believe I have been blogging for one year today.  I started blogging because I thought I could make a living doing this.  I bring in roughly $85 per month now.  I continue blogging because I love writing.  All my life I wanted to be a writer and I am now.  Not that I'll ever hit a best sellers list with this blog but I really don't care about that

This Christmas Day I am thankful for my many readers.  I have taken several vacations, the last of which I have yet to share with you in full because of being sick for so long.

I hope the new year brings me many new friends and some amazing travels to share with you all!  At discount prices, of course

        

I have been sick ever since I got home from vacation.  I haven't blogged much, or at all really if I want to be honest.  I am feeling better now and I hope you visit me over the next few days to read my review of The Crown Reef Resort, Myrtle Beach and the wonderful dinner we had at Crabby Mike's.  It was a wonderful trip, overall, and I look forward to giving you some tips and hints about vacationing at Myrtle Beach South Carolina   Until this weekend, have fun and enjoy whatever the day may bring   I had fun and even a few trials which could have been avoided - check back soon for details!

        

        

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.

        

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.

        

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 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

        

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!