Chapter 2: Chapter Two
Tara and Shane arrive at our house. We are in Virginia about a three and a half hour, drive to Myrtle Beach, SC. We have just finished packing the jeep wrangler as they pulled up. We figured it would be best to take the jeep since it has a lift kit on it and the water might be in the streets. Hey y'all did you see the latest update on the hurricane?
"Yes, It is a category two and they have narrowed the cone of uncertainty to North Carolina and northern South Carolina." Tara says excitedly.
This is going to be so much fun. We get in the vehicles and start our trip. We took the top and doors off the jeep and put them in the back so we can put them back on before the storm and our friends are driving their ram truck. We have the country music blasting and the wind in our hair. We can't wait to get to the beach. The song "Heads Carolina, Tails California", comes on the radio and we start singing along. The sky is blue and the air is warm. Doesn't even look like a storm is coming.
We arrive at the beach and check in at the realtor office that is renting the house. We get the keys and head to the house. We can smell the salt in the air and up ahead at the end of this road is Ocean Blvd. You can see the ocean. We turn left and drive along the stretch of hotels and resorts. There are so many people here enjoying the beach and weather. We get into an area that looks more like a residential area than the tourist area. Brad turns into a driveway and pulls up to a gate. He leans out the jeep and puts in the code they gave us and the gate opens. We drive in. There are three parking spots under the house and they have been elevated on a concrete pad. So, we pulled up the ramp and parked where it leveled out.
We get out of the vehicles all excited. Grabbing our luggage and heading up the stairs. The place looks beautiful. It has light yellow siding, a composite deck with white vinyl railings and a gray tin roof. We open the door and step into a chefs kitchen, granite counter tops, double wall ovens and a huge refrigerator. Off to the side is the dinning room with seating for six at the table. There is a laundry room and a half bath on the first floor. Walking toward the ocean front is a large family room with two couches and two recliners. Facing the ocean is floor to ceiling windows with a glass door leading to the deck. We go up to the second floor to find two master suites with there own bathrooms. Each has a king size bed and wall mounted tvs. The bedrooms each have a balcony one is oceanfront and the other is facing the street. Both bathrooms have jacuzzi tubs and walk-in showers. Everything is perfect. We flip a coin to see who gets which room. I call heads and Tara tails. It's heads we take the ocean front room. We unpack and then meet back in the family room.
"Hey, y'all lets go get something to eat then we can go by the grocery store and get some food for here." Tara says.
Do you have a place in mind?
"But of course. How about that sports bar we liked over in broadway at the beach."
I love that place they have the best food and drinks. I have been wanting another one of their grill cheese sandwiches with the fried green tomato and bacon. It doesn't sound like much but it was delicious. We went there twice the last time we came down to the beach. Let's go. We all hop into our jeep and take off that way.
We park and walk into broad way at the beach. We get to the bar and go in. They seat us water front where we can watch the jet boats flying across the water. It looks like so much fun. Would you all like to ride the jet boats.
"Yes." Everyone agrees.
The waitress comes over and takes our orders. We get an appetizer, some drinks and order what we want for our meal. It isn't long and our drinks come out followed by the appetizer. We are enjoying it and then our food shows up. The sandwich is delicious. We all order another drink and sit there and talk. I guess we need to get to the grocery store. We pay and go back to the jeep.
We decide to stop at Walmart. Tara and I both get a buggy. And we go shop as a group. We get several packs of bottled water and then ten of the gallons. Then toilet paper and paper towels. We already packed flashlights and the battery powered lanterns. But the home also has a generator that will come on when the power goes out. Now we head over and start shopping for food. We get bread, sodas, chips, lunchmeat, eggs and bacon. We go check out. Let's head to the liquor store.
Now this is what makes the hurricane party. Tara and I head off to get some wines. Brad and Shane go to the beer section. We all meet back at the hard stuff. Some peach brandy, a couple flavors of crown and some jack. I think we are all set for the storm.
The back of the jeep is full of stuff. We arrive back at the house and start unpacking. It takes each of us a couple trips down to get everything. After we put it all away. Brad and I go sit out on the porch. It is a beautiful night. All the stars are twinkling and the moon is reflecting off the crashing waves. I could sit here all night listening to them. I make myself get up and go to bed. I'll see everyone in the morning.
I wake up to Tara shouting.
"They think it is going to hit somewhere between Charleston, SC and Wilmington, NC. It is a Category Three now. And it is big. Everyone come look."
So, Brad and I jump up and run downstairs. Wow, it is a massive storm. Look at that eye. It is so perfectly formed. I hope it doesn't strengthen more. We could be in trouble. They haven't put out any evacuation orders for the area. So, we should be ok. Brad and I go back upstairs to get dressed and come back down. Hey, y'all as long as you know who doesn't show up from the weather channel we will be alright.
Everyone is laughing. We get into the jeep and go for breakfast. Stopping at a breakfast buffet that we always have to eat at least once a trip. Figure we eat out now before the storm because some places will probably close during. Everyone get s the buffet and our stomachs are full. Lets go out and enjoy the beach. So, we go back to the house and hurry and change into our swimsuits.
Tara and I go out and spread our towels out on the sand. I lay down and use my bag as a pillow to prop my head up so I can read my book. It is so relaxing reading at the ocean. Tara is interested in getting a tan. She just plops out there flat. After about an hour I tap her to turn over. And I do the same. Moving my bag so I can lay out and still read. It is a little more breezy today than it was yesterday. After a while Brad and Shane come out of the house and head into the ocean.
"Come on, ladies! Get in the water. It isn't cold." Shane says.
Tara just turns over and waves Shane off. Are you going out there? She asks me.
Yes. Might as well enjoy the water while we can. I get up and head out into the ocean. Whoa, at first it is chilly but gets better as I'm walking out. The crashing waves almost knock me down. Finally, I get out past the waves with them. It is so peaceful swimming out here and the smell of the salt feels almost therapeutic to the senses. I have always loved the beach but have a healthy respect for the ocean. I know we are risking our lives swimming out here. Just hopefully no sharks are looking for a snack.
We splash around out in the ocean for a bit. And then hear Tara yelling.
"Fins!" She is pointing.
We look back behind us and it is a pod of dolphins. I've never been in the ocean with dolphins swimming close by. This is so cool. They look so close. I wish they would come up here closer to us but just seeing them is amazing. I look back at the beach and Tara is taking pictures on her phone. I run onto the beach from the water. I want to see your pictures.
"Ok. I think I got some good ones."
She hands me her phone. Tara, you did great. There are several with the dolphins right behind us. They are so good. Can you send them to me?
"I sure can. I'll do that right now. So, I don't forget."
The guys come walking up.
"Let's get cleaned up and go out for dinner. Who's up for seafood?" Brad says.
We all head back into the house. I got a little sunburn being out there so long. Probably should have reapplied my sunscreen. I look a lot redder after getting out the shower. We get dressed and meet Tara and Shane down stairs. Then we get in their truck and go to the restaurant. We didn't go to one of the seafood buffets. Not as many people are here as we thought would be. They said that there is an evacuation of the coastal area. Oh well, this is what we came down here for. We ordered our food and it came out hot and steaming. So much better than any of the buffets. As we head back to the house we notice the wind has picked up even more. We arrive back at the house and the wind feels even stronger after climbing the stairs to the deck. I'm so full from supper. I tell everyone good night and retire to my bed. Through out the night I would get awaken by a hard gust of wind hitting the house.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone