Friday,July 24, 2009
Always check with on-duty lifeguards about the ocean conditions before going into the water. Never get into the ocean when lifeguards are not on duty. Always swim where a lifeguard can see you. Lifeguards are on duty from 9am – 5pm daily during the season. That’s plenty of time to get your beach fun in!
Please be aware that ocean conditions may change quickly along the coastline. When in doubt don’t go out! Here is a list of a few things that can occur in ocean when swimming or playing in the ocean.
Rip Currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves or where a there is a stream or outflow into the surfline. The majority of ocean rescues made by lifeguards are due to victims struggling in rip currents.
Sleeper Wave is a wave that is larger than the average wave height that has been observed. These can be unpredictable waves, which may occur even on days when most of the surf looks small. These large waves have been the cause of too many drownings over the years and can catch those close to the shoreline by surprise, washing them into turbulent water. Most victims are playing near or in the surf or shore fishing.
In an emergency — call 9-1-1
If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1. Always remain calm. Have someone spot the person in trouble or keep your eyes on the person. Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape by having the victim swim out of the rip current, in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, direct them to swim towards shore.
Only professionally trained rescuers should attempt in-water rescues!
- Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
- Never swim alone – take a buddy with you.
- Learn how to swim in the surf. It’s not the same as swimming in a pool or lake.
- Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out.
- Stay Sober – don’t swim while intoxicated. Alcohol can affect your judgement and your body temperature – impairing your ability to swim.
- Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water. This is part of their job.
- Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist along side these structures.
- Due to dangerous currents, never swim in the inlets.
- Consider using polarized sunglasses when at the beach. They will help you to spot signatures of rip currents by cutting down glare and reflected sunlight off the ocean’s surface.
- Children should swim only with adult supervision.
- Don’t swim during rough seas. Broken necks and paralysis have resulted from swimmers being thrown into the ocean bottom headfirst.
- Do not swim near surfers – surfboard fins can cut you.
Friday,July 17, 2009
Getting to the Myrtle Beach Area:
By Train
Florence and Dillon are the two closest places Amtrak serves. You’ll have to get someone to pick you up or rent a car with advance notice to get to Myrtle Beach.
By Bus
You should be able to get to Myrtle Beach on a Greyhound bus from just about any point in the United States. You’ll find it easier during the summer when more buses are scheduled.
By Air
The major area airport is Myrtle Beach International (MYR). It is served by the following airlines: Delta, Continental, Northwest, Spirit, and U.S. Air. Direct flights may be difficult to find depending on the season, but flying to a major hub such as Atlanta then taking a short hop to the area should not be a problem.
Grand Strand Regional Airport is actually the closest airport to North Myrtle Beach, and serves mostly chartered or private flights.
By Vehicle
From Interstate 95, the easiest way to town would be to take the exit for Hwy. 9 in Dillon, SC and continue south towards Myrtle Beach. Hwy. 9 will then merge with Hwy. 17, so just continue south on Hwy. 17 for the rest of the ride. Vehicle travel will become easier once the direct connection from SC Hwy. 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) via the Main Street Connector (North Myrtle Beach Connector)
Getting Around Myrtle Beach & North Myrtle Beach is pretty easy. Just don’t get confused between the two cities. The street numbers are exactly the same!!!
Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway Highway 17 Business run north and south along the Grand Strand parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. We also have Highway 17 Bypass in the Grand Strand’s westernmost route running parallel to the ocean. The Bypass begins in Murrells Inlet and continues northward until it merges with Kings Highway just before the Restaurant Row.
The 28-mile Veterans Highway (S.C. 22), a four-lane road that links U.S. 501 west of Conway and U.S. 17 north of Myrtle Beach.
The Carolina Bays Parkway (S.C. 31) is a six-lane scenic highway from S.C. 9 to US 501 near Myrtle Beach Raceway.
The Robert M. Grissom Parkway is a four-lane route from 62nd Avenue North in Myrtle Beach to Harrelson Boulevard near the Myrtle Beach International Airport.
Don’t forget if you are driving and have never been to the area pay attention! I see so many people in serious accidents or fender benders while on vacation. We have a lot of traffic in the summer months so just keep your eyes open so you can continue to enjoy your vacation!
Thursday,July 16, 2009
Get discount coupons when you book with Elliott Beach Rentals for Myrtle Beach Shopping!
Every vacationer takes home a souvenir. You will find beachwear shops, malls, boutiques, superstores, outlets and more in Myrtle Beach & North Myrtle Beach, SC. Many of these locations are just minutes from Elliott Beach Rentals vacation homes and condos.
Stroll the boardwalk and visit
Barefoot Landing’s array of shops – we have it all, from unique and original gifts, to national and regional apparel, accessory and shoe stores! Barefoot Landing houses a collection of more than 100 specialty and retail shops suitable for the entire family, including jewelry, specialty foods and toy stores.
Myrtle Beach Mall in North Myrtle Beach is situated between Barefoot Landing and Restaurant Row and features Belk, JC Penney, and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.
Tanger Outlets have brought a variety of name-brand factory outlets to the Myrtle Beach area.
Coach
Nautica
Reebok
Polo Ralph Lauren
Vans
Banana Republic
Old Navy
BCBG
Kenneth Cole & many more! There are two Tanger Outlets in the Myrtle Beach area. One is located by the Intersection of Highway 22 and US 17, and the other is located on Highway 501 between Myrtle Beach and Conway.
Broadway at the Beach is a 350-acre mega-entertainment venue is centrally located in Myrtle Beach with easy access from any direction, and has three distinct sections: The Caribbean Village, the Charleston Boardwalk, and the New England Fishing Village.
Coastal Grand Mall is one of the Grand Strand’s newest shopping centers. Featuring stores like Belk, Sears, Dillards, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
These are just a handful of area shopping centers. Ask a friendly reservation agent at Elliott Beach Rentals to point you in the right direction for the best Grand strand Shopping!
Friday,July 10, 2009
Are you considering a wedding on the beach? Your best bet is to come to North Myrtle Beach & Elliott Beach Rentals will be happy to help with your accommodations and any questions you may have about your upcoming event. Don’t think about getting married in city of Myrtle Beach! A law was passed that made it illegal for commercially produced weddings on the beach in the city limits of Myrtle Beach. The city of North Myrtle Beach will allow you to get married on the beach.
You can apply for a marriage license at:Little River Probate Court OfficeRalph Ellis Bldg, Hwy 57(843) 399-5533 (Note: 24 hour wait between application & pick-up) or Horry County Probate Court 1301 2nd Ave., Conway, SC(843) 915-5370http://www.horrycounty.org/.
Consider booking a luxury oceanfront home from Elliott Beach Rentals for you and your guests.
Visit http://www.elliottluxuryhomes.com/ or call 888-669-7853.
Other helpful links:
Coastal Bridal, LLC – www.coastalbridalod.com – (843) 280-8888
Beach Weddings – www.beachweddings.net – (843) 280-8899
Jennifer Elder Perceptions – www.jenniferelderperceptions.com – (813) 476-2500
(photo above by Jennifer Elder)
Thursday,July 09, 2009
Eagle Nest Golf Club is a public 18-hole Myrtle Beach golf course designed by Gene Hamm. It has well-manicured fairways that are complimented by the surrounding Carolina pines, willow trees and ponds with cypress trees, which set the stage for an inviting day of Myrtle Beach golf.This course has the reputation of having the “3 toughest finishing holes on the Grand Strand,” each with their own nickname lovingly given by the locals. “Tough” is the par 4, 449 yard 16th that usually plays into the wind; “Almost As Tough” is the par 5, 616 yard 17th that has a 100 yard wide lake right in front of the green and “Lord Help Me Over The Water!” is their “signature” par 3, 185 yard 18th that plays uphill over a huge lake to a well-guarded elevated green.
Visit the
website to book tee times directly online or call Cathy Ziegler with
Myrtle Beach Golf Authority at 888-272-7263 to book your accommodations & golf package. Get great rates this time of year!!!
Monday,July 06, 2009
House of Blues Myrtle Beach is located at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. This means one of the top venues for live music in the area is easy accessible by all Elliott Beach Rental guests. In addition to hosting numerous concerts on tour throughout the year, the House of Blues is also a popular destination for dining and entertainment. I advise everyone visit the House of Blues on Sunday for inspiring gospel performances and an amazing buffet. It is great! If breakfast isn’t you thing how about a little dinner and maybe a murder. An interactive comedy?Who dunnit? Dinner show. A murder happens during the course of your meal and your held in the middle of a murder investigation. Everyone is a suspect? Figure out who the killer is and you may be rewarded!
Click Here to view calendar of live events at House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC.
4640 Highway 17 S.
N. Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 272–3000
Restaurant Host Stand (843) 913–3746
Hours of Operation:
Breakfast: Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Lunch: Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Dinner: Sunday – Thursday 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Dinner: Friday – Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday,July 01, 2009
Are you looking to cool off with the family on your vacation with Elliott Beach Rentals? We have just the thing for you! The area offers some fantastic water parks.
Myrtle Waves Water Park
Enjoy a thrilling adventure at South Carolina’s largest water park. It features 20 acres of swerves, curves, waves and chutes and more than one million gallons of water. Pricing information from their website below.
Your paid admission to Myrtle Waves includes:
All water rides – all day
Complimentary life Jacket
Free parking
Showers and changing facilities
2009 ALL DAY UNLIMITED PASS TO FUN**
$29.99 + tax*under 42 inches & 55 and up – $19.99 + tax*2 and under Free!
2009 TWILIGHT SPECIAL – After 3 pm
$19.99 + tax*under 42 inches & 55 and up – $14.99 + tax*2 and under Free!
No coupons accepted on afternoon specials. All prices are plus tax.*Add 7.5% SC admissions tax.**Military Discounts for guests with a valid Military ID available on All Day Rates only. Prices & Operating hours subject to change without notice. Please call 843.918.8725 for information. Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Traveler’s Checks & Cash accepted.
SEASON PASSES may also be purchased!
Wild Water & Wheels
Is a 16-acre park filled with exciting rides and slides. It is the place to be all summer long and the complete fun center for the entire family. Prices from their website are below.
All-Day Waterpark Admission
Adult – Over 48” Tall
$24.98 plus tax ($27.10)
Child – Under 48” Tall (2 years old & under are free)
$16.98 plus tax ($18.40)
Seniors – 55 years and up
$16.98 plus tax ($18.40)
After 3:00 PM Waterpark Admission
Adult – Over 48” Tall
$14.98 plus tax ($16.25)
Child – Under 48” Tall (2 years old & under are free)
$12.98 plus tax ($14.05)
Seniors – 55 years and up
$12.98 plus tax ($14.05)
SEASON PASSES may also be purchased.