North Myrtle Beach
April - May 2023North Myrtle Beach
April - May 2023Mountains, Beaches, and Waterfalls
Duration: 36 nights
Location: Tennessee & Myrtle Beach
Fuel & Site Fees Per Day: $53.00
Miles Traveled: 1,232
Preparation
It’s time once again to uncover Delores and get her ready for our first outing of the 2023 season. The winter months as usual left her with the usual light film of dirt and such. I like to give her a good wash and wax to start the season.
I used a 10:1 dilution solution of Simple Green to clean followed by Aero Cosmetics Wash & Wax. I have had some very good results with both and would recommend them. Now that the rig is nice and clean and waxed, I performed my annual maintenance. I have put together a spreadsheet with all that I do. It can be downloaded or viewed here.
Locations
Heading east to the Atlantic Coast we had to stop at one of our Gold Star resorts, Anchor Downs. This might not be a budget resort, but we love the location, sites, and amenities it offers. Click on Anchor Downs above for a review.
To break up the trip a bit to North Myrtle we decided to stay at the Newberry/1-26 KOA just outside Sumter, SC. The trip from TN to the KOA was rough. We got caught up in a heavy rainstorm that stayed on top of us for the entire trip. Our troubles were compounded when we discovered during a pit stop that our inverter was not working. We had a packed full residential refrigerator and freezer with no power. More on that in a bit.
Drama
Our stay at the KOA was not without drama. The resort was going through a construction phase and we got caught up in for over an hour before check-in. Hoping the passthrough voltage for the refrigerator would be working once we got hooked up, this delay, the rain, etc just made things worse.
We were finally escorted to our site toward the back of the property. Site 46 was just across from the tent camping and the construction. The tent campers were “work campers” with two dogs. Those dogs missed their owners. The backhoe was moving large stones to fill in a washed-out road that we carefully came in on. The noise needless to say was just intolerable. The positive was that power was good and what was left of the inverter was passing through power to the refrigerator.
Next 30 Days
We make a mad dash to North Myrtle Beach RV Resort and Marina again hoping our no-power refrigerator will keep things cool until we get there. Once we got set up and settled we discovered that the Inverter totally failed and we now had no power going to the refrigerator. Ginny headed to Walmart for a couple of coolers and ice. I headed to Lowe’s for parts I needed for a MacGyver fix I had in mind. The fix would take the pass-through outline from the inverter, add a plug to it and plug it into the nearest outlet. It worked, we would be in place for the next 30 days so I had some time to extract and replace the old inverter.
I decided that contrary to a bunch of online advice I would replace the inverter with a similar WFCO inverter. This was a plug-and-play solution and I could get the part in a matter of days rather than weeks. I made the swap, thank you NRVTA for the get classes I took a few years back and we were back in business.
Blue Ridge Parkway
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in North Myrtle. I will highlight some of the activities, restaurants, beach time, and such below. It was now time to head back to home base. First, we wanted to stop at one of our favorites, Ashville, NC. We decided to stay at Land Of The Waterfalls RV Campground once again. I love this location and its proximity to the Blue Ridge and the surrounding area. We had a great time once again visiting some of our favorite Waterfalls, Nature Hikes, Botanical Gardens, and restaurants. We even found a few new locations to add to the return again list.
Mountains, Beaches, and Waterfalls
Duration: 36 nights
Location: Tennessee and Myrtle Beach
Fuel & Site Fees Per Day: $53.00
Miles Traveled: 1,232
Preparation
It’s time once again to uncover Delores and get her ready for our first outing of the 2023 season. The winter months as usual left her with the usual light film of dirt and such. I like to give her a good wash and wax to start the season.
I used a 10:1 dilution solution of Simple Green to clean followed by Aero Cosmetics Wash & Wax. I have had some very good results with both and would recommend them. Now that the rig is nice and clean and waxed, I performed my annual maintenance. I have put together a spreadsheet with all that I do. It can be downloaded or viewed here.
Locations
Heading east to the Atlantic Coast we had to stop at one of our Gold Star resorts, Anchor Downs. This might not be a budget resort, but we love the location, sites, and amenities it offers. Click on Anchor Downs above for a review.
To break up the trip a bit to North Myrtle we decided to stay at the Newberry/1-26 KOA just outside Sumter, SC. The trip from TN to the KOA was rough. We got caught up in a heavy rainstorm that stayed on top of us for the entire trip. Our troubles were compounded when we discovered during a pit stop that our inverter was not working. We had a packed full residential refrigerator and freezer with no power. More on that in a bit.
Drama
Our stay at the KOA was not without drama. The resort was going through a construction phase and we got caught up in for over an hour before check-in. Hoping the passthrough voltage for the refrigerator would be working once we got hooked up, this delay, the rain, etc just made things worse.
We were finally escorted to our site toward the back of the property. Site 46 was just across from the tent camping and the construction. The tent campers were “work campers” with two dogs. Those dogs missed their owners. The backhoe was moving large stones to fill in a washed-out road that we carefully came in on. The noise needless to say was just intolerable. The positive was that power was good and what was left of the inverter was passing through power to the refrigerator.
Next 30 Days
We make a mad dash to North Myrtle Beach RV Resort and Marina again hoping our no-power refrigerator will keep things cool until we get there. Once we got set up and settled we discovered that the Inverter totally failed and we now had no power going to the refrigerator. Ginny headed to Walmart for a couple of coolers and ice. I headed to Lowe’s for parts I needed for a MacGyver fix I had in mind. The fix would take the pass-through outline from the inverter, add a plug to it and plug it into the nearest outlet. It worked, we would be in place for the next 30 days so I had some time to extract and replace the old inverter.
I decided that contrary to a bunch of online advice I would replace the inverter with a similar WFCO inverter. This was a plug-and-play solution and I could get the part in a matter of days rather than weeks. I made the swap, thank you NRVTA for the get classes I took a few years back and we were back in business.
Blue Ridge Parkway
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in North Myrtle. I will highlight some of the activities, restaurants, beach time, and such below. It was now time to head back to home base. First, we wanted to stop at one of our favorites, Ashville, NC. We decided to stay at Land Of The Waterfalls RV Campground once again. I love this location and its proximity to the Blue Ridge and the surrounding area. We had a great time once again visiting some of our favorite Waterfalls, Nature Hikes, Botanical Gardens, and restaurants. We even found a few new locations to add to the return again list.
- RV Parks 80%
- Activities 80%
- Sight Seeing 100%
- Food 80%
Overview
Ginny and I came to the conclusion in the spring of 2022 we wanted to have extended stays in some of our favorite locations. We spent a week in North Myrtle that spring and loved it. The beach time, activities, location, and such were perfect for our style of camping. We booked the month of April 2023 at North Myrtle Beach RV Resort and Marina. This gave us ample time to relax and enjoy all that the Grand Strand had to offer.
Weather
I didn’t know what to expect as we had never stayed in this area during this time of year. The stars aligned and gave us perfect weather throughout the month. The high temps hovered in the high 70’s and lows in the 50’s. The rain held off for the most part and we enjoyed 70-80% of our stay in the sunshine. We had a few windy days at the beach, but this did not deter us from being there. Which by the way was a short 15min drive from our RV park.
Book End Travel
Our routing took us by a few of our favorite RV Resorts. The tone for this year’s travel was going to be casual and in no hurry to get to our next destination. Ginny and I both enjoyed our stays at Anchor Down RV Resort. We landed 5 days at the park, which is not an easy thing to do. This was a great way to start the trip and gave us an opportunity to once again visit the Great Smokie Mountains. Be aware that you will now need a parking permit to park any longer than 15 mins at any location in the park. You can buy one of these permits, daily or yearly at the visitors center.
Our return home gave us a chance to revisit the Pisgah National Forest area in western NC. This is located just south of Asheville, NC another favorite stop of ours. We stayed at Land Of The Waterfalls RV Campground for a few days prior to heading to Homebase.
RV Parks
Anchor Down RV Park
How I managed to stumble onto an available site at this popular resort was pure luck. This might be the toughest reservation, besides Fort Wilderness I have ever experienced. The Signature sites I was interested in were booked solid through next year and beyond.
Land Of Waterfalls RV Park
This might not be the campground for everyone. If you’re looking for all the amenities of the larger resorts, they’re not here. However, if you are looking for a great location close to the mountains this might be it.
North Myrtle Beach RV Resort
Updated – April 25, 2021 – New Construction – We have always loved the shoreline of South Carolina near the NC border. We spent many a summer at Holden Beach, NC renting an oceanside home. The crowds you find in Myrtle Beach are not there. It’s quiet, great beaches and there is plenty of fresh seafood. We wanted to find something similar in an RV park.
Travel Routing
Best Food & Activities
1. North Myrtle Beach
We stayed officially in Little River, SC but North Myrtle Beach was our absolute go-to area for all that we needed. This beach area is away from the hustle and bustle that is typically Myrtle Beach. The beaches were less crowded and there was plenty of parking near the beach access points. Our favorite spot was the Tenth Street access point. There is a wide selection of grocery stores, and restaurants both chain and local to choose from. MAP
2. Crave Italian Oven and Bar
Oh lord, when it comes to Italian food we are picky. You better have your game on to meet our expectations. This restaurant had all of that and more. Located just south of Myrtle Beach’s business section. They have a great atmosphere, attentive service, and a solid authentic Italian menu. We stopped there for lunch and were not disappointed. A good sausage and peppers sandwich with a cup of pasta fagioli is a must. The bread, sausage, sauces, and soup were fantastic. MAP
3. Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens is the floral jewel of South Carolina’s coastal community. It was recently named one of the Top 10 Botanical Gardens in America and was a past recipient of the Garden Excellence Award from the American Public Gardens Association. Not only is this a wonderful walk through their gardens but Brookgreen is the finest outdoor museum of its type in the world. They have the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the county MAP
4. Cradle Of Forestry
The Cradle of Forestry in America is nestled in the Pisgah National Forest along the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. The trails offer visitors a chance to explore seven historical buildings from the time of the Biltmore Forest School (1898-1914), climb aboard and ring the bell of a 1914 Climax logging train engine. This is a great place to take a casual walk through the woods on a paved path. Be sure to stop at Looking Glass Falls on your way up. MAP
Honorable Mention
Melt – 204 Main Street, North Myrtle Beach SC 29582
Melt offers a mix of homemade ice cream and Hershey’s flavors so the kiddos can enjoy their favorite neon yellow play doh or moose tracks while you indulge in one of Melt’s gourmet crafted recipes like Honey Lavender (SWOON), Lemon Chiffon, Blueberry Swirl, or the one I went with, Butter Pecan in a homemade waffle cone. MAP
Becks Seafood – 1014 River Rd, Calabash, NC 28467
This place may not be the best in Calabash but it has been a traditional stop for us for years. The service and food have always been very consistent. The hush puppies with honey are to die for and worth the trip alone. We typically have lunch and get the Calabash Shrimp and Shrimp special and it has never disappointed. MAP
Hoskin’s – 405 Main St, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Hoskins Restaurant has been a Main Street staple since 1948. Family-owned and operated since it first opened its doors over 70 years ago, Hoskins serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. While they are known for their seafood, be sure to check out their daily specials, and salad bar and certainly save room for dessert – their ever-changing cream pies will keep you coming back time and time again. First timer? Don’t let the long line outside fool you. The line moves quickly, and it is well worth the wait! MAP
Pratt’s Seafood – 1108 Sea Mountain Hwy #1, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
One of the area’s largest and most trusted seafood markets, Platt’s Seafood, located in the Cherry Grove section of North Myrtle Beach, delivers on the promise of great quality seafood sourced both locally and internationally. As they have for decades, the friendly staff is always happy to help and even provide advice on the best way to cook your purchase. We choose a beautiful fresh filet of grouper. Also a full service bait and take store, Platt’s has all the gear to catch your own dinner. Prefer to leave the cooking to the pros? Platt’s Seafood can cook for you; including bulk steamed seafood and carry out plate offerings, prepared using local traditional recipes. MAP
Bush Bean’s Visitor Center – 3901 US-411, Dandridge, TN 37725
What a fun place to visit if your staying at Anchor Down RV Park. The museum has just reopened and is a fun tour through the history of the company. The staff was fantastic and friendly from the minute you walk in the door. Look for the famous Bush Beans Pick Up Truck parked just outside the building. Don’t miss the restaurant next door. The food was great and very reasonably priced for large portions. Ginny and I ate here for less than $25. Don’t turn down a piece of bean pie. Definitely make this a stop if you’re in town and looking for something fun to do. MAP
Corky’s Dawg House- 1910 Asheville Hwy, Brevard, NC 28712
“Corky’s Dawg House is a “Waterfall of Deliciousness” with the amazing Chicago-style hot dogs, bratwurst, Italian sausage, Italian beef’s. If you crave a sweet treat, finish the experience with a crazy shake, malt, cone, or a banana split with a cherry on top. The service is quick and this place a very comfortable atmosphere. MAP