Happy Halloween! 🎃

We got "treats" too!  What a fun time!

Halloween for the rest of you, packing day for us. I loved her to pieces and miss her terribly but I cursed Krikkit for all of the sand I thought she brought in. Even with taking shoes off and putting them on outside I see we were more responsible than she! 

Our Halloween was celebrated on two weekends here at Pirateland, this past weekend and the previous one. They had crafts and activities all day on Sat., food trucks both weekends, with Trick-or-Treating from 5:30-7:30 Sat. evening. Handing out candy was optional. Having had no trick-or--treaters for a few years we were eager to participate. 

There was a costume contest, as well as a site decorating contest. Some people went all out on decorating whether they had kids or not. The difference here is that most, but not all, traveled by golf cart (there are 1500 sites in our gated park).  Many people decorated their golf carts and many families dressed in costumes. My, how costumes have evolved! They ranged from the newer blow-up, manned costumes to home-made ones, some quite elaborate.

We had no idea how many kids there would be. Week 1 we were out of candy by 6:30, having had 70 some kids. Week 2 we bought more candy. We still ran out of candy around 6:30 with around 170 kids. Week one had beautiful weather. Week 2 was chilly and we had rain most of the morning and part of the afternoon.

WEEK 1:

I thought this was a blow-up Dino, and I guess it was, but there was a kid inside. 

Safari theme

WEEK 2:

The escorts had fun too. This Dad had a Fireball costume.

Where are the Pieper's now? Myrtle Beach, SC

"Finished is better than perfect." -- Jenny Doan, MSQC

The Marsh Walk at Murrell's Inlet.

I don't think I've made it a secret that we really like the Myrtle Beach area, and it is one of the front-runners for where we may end up living. Last Weds. we toured 3 different condos in the southern part of Myrtle Beach. No we didn't find anything,  but we got a better idea of what areas to keep our eyes on and what our priorities in a condo are. We have traveling plans for at least the next year. There is also hope that prices are going to start going down. 

On Tues. we went to "cheap" day at the theater to see Black Adam. $5.50 a ticket and $6 for a small popcorn and drink. Not my favorite movie, but Pat only had to wake me up once. I loved our brunch before at Crepe Creation Cafe. It was next to the theater.

These were huge. I was thinking a little rolled breakfast crepe so I could get a dessert one, maybe nutella, bananas and strawberries. Our waitress said the dessert ones were just as big. It didn't matter, I had no room for dessert or popcorn at the movie

I had heard about the Marsh Walk, located in the historic fishing village of Murrell's Inlet, just south of Myrtle Beach. After our condo tour we went in search of it and lunch. The quaint, half-mile boardwalk along the saltwater marsh had lots of restaurants to choose from. In the evenings many have live entertainment. 

Dead Dog Saloon starts you out with a basket full of hushpuppies and honey-butter. We shared an order of Maui Maui tacos for lunch but I was already full of hushpuppies. Pat said after they brought the free hushpuppies we should have just said "water" when she asked what we wanted to order.

The boardwalk went out across the Marsh area. Looking back we could see the row of restaurants.

The intracoastal waterway

From April until November the 20,000 sq. ft. island behind us is inhabited by goats. They boat them in to help keep down the island's vegetation. The goats were relocated to their winter home prior to Hurricane Ian this year. Goat Island suffered damage from Ian so the goats won't be back this year. The island was supposedly a popular hideout for pirates. Doesn't look like it's big enough to be a hideout!

I was actually productive this month due to a leg injury which is getting better. It's probably nothing to brag about but I passed 300 levels in Candy Crush.

I did take the time to work on some projects. When we were there last summer, our grandaughter Samira wanted a new robe. The day before her 7th birthday was our zoom day, so she was going to open her presents from us then. She was talking about a robe so I thought she had already openned it. I asked her if it was cozy enough. She said, "Grandma, did you just spoil the surprise?" She said she just thought it was a robe because she had told me she wanted one. Ooops! 

Then I had a baby quilt from almost 3 years ago to finish. Turns out I was further along than I thought. Just had to quilt the border, not the whole quilt, and bind it. I try something new on each quilt. I had a design I wanted, so with Pat's help we scaled the pieces to fit around center panel. Then I tried different things with the actual quilting, not as successful as I would have liked. Supposedly mistakes show that it is homemade; if you don't make mistakes you never learn...whatever, they bother me. Finally, one of my 2 Christmas stockings is coming along faster then I thought. I still doubt if it will be done by Christmas.

Where are the Piepers now? Myrtle Beach, SC

How many beach stores ( I mean HUGE ones) and mini-golf courses (I mean elaborate ones) are in the Myrtle Beach area? Too many to count!

We've been to the Myrtle Beach area at least 3 times but I think this is the first time we've actually been to the boardwalk and what I would say is the main part of the beach.

The tides have turned. Rain today (Friday) with temperatures at 59° at noon. It says a high of 65° but no sun yet.

We made a day of it Thursday. Our first walk on the boardwalk at Myrtle Beach and the beach itself. We are staying south of there. We may be on Myrtle Beach but we are very close to Surfside Beach. Warbird park was next. More walking along the path with memorials and the history of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Then to Toffino's, located near Common Market, for pizza.

It was cooler Thursday and off-season so it wasn't very busy in Myrtle Beach. I wanted to go to a souvenir/gift shop, the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove. Found what I needed there so we headed out on the boardwalk.  It's actually  wood composite which holds up so much better, especially in an area affected by hurricanes.  It was informally known as "New Town" until 1900 when a contest produced the official name "Myrtle Beach," after the Southern Wax Myrtle that grows here.

Lots of beach themed stores, restaurants and ice cream spots behind the boardwalk. 

Many have doors on the street and boardwalk side. The Gay Dolphin Gift Cove had the best and most Myrtle Beach gifts, and lots of other items.

Sand volleyball courts where the Pavilions used to be. Pat noticed it did not have ocean sand. 

Expectations can only go up!

Fortunately the zip line and rope course were closed. A rope course is still on my list but not right now.

Myrtle Beach Air Force Base was built in the 1950's and closed in 1993. 

Located near Market Common where the Myrtle Beach Air Force base used to stand.

The history of Military Nose Art and how it changed through out the years is worth reading about.

9/11 Memorial.  Encircling the memorial were quotes from that tragedy. President George W. Bush, "These acts  shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of America's resolve."

Prisoners of war and missing-in-action memorial.

The Myrtle Beach Airport was originally owned by Myrtle Beach, then the Air Force, then a joint venture of both, and finally back to Myrtle Beach after the Air Force base closed in 1993.

Toffino's Italian Bakery and Deli

The case in the background was filled with bread and too many deserts.

I selected a Chocolate Horseshoe and Butter Cookies. They were delicious! Yes, I shared
 with Pat.
Where are the Piepers now? Myrtle Beach, SC