Summer Has Arrived

The vacationers are having lots of fun here, but it is now way too crowded for us. There are kids on bikes, scooters, and roller blades to be found on all streets. The bigger ones zip around on the golf carts looking to meet the other sex. Of course! Basketballs bouncing constantly is an annoying sound. And the water slides -  pools - well I won't tell you of the shenanigans that go on there by both youngsters and adults. Everyone is having tons of fun as the weather has been both extremely hot and wonderful. 

I don't walk on the beach now like I used to. It is packed! The time to leave and head for our quieter and more peaceful summer has come. September is a good time to return as we have done for so many years. 

I have observed nature at its best and photographed all of my personal interesting subjects during the past two months. We shall now decamp for the hills.

 Click on image to enlarge

Hardy Hibiscus

I just found this plant. The lady who is growing it tells me she mail-ordered it and it came as a six inch stick! Well, it is almost 6 feet tall and has so many buds and I was enthralled.

She tells me that she dead-heads it every day as each opened blossom lasts for only one day, but there are always one or two more open the next day.

After reading about this, I've learned that they come in many colors and some blossoms will reach a span of 10 inches! I'm not sure if this one is a Cranberry Crush, Fireball or Heartthrop. Aren't the names nice?  Anyway, I'm going back again and enjoy this flower because of its huge and glossy delicate beauty.

and this is from the next day.....a newly opened bud..

Happy Father's Day "Pop!"

I haven't posted in a while due to having WiFi connection drops! It was very sporadic and not dependable at all for over a week. Here goes...This is IMPORTANT! I will do this even if I have to go online again and again and again.

Father's Day!

We called him "Pop" and the most important thing I remember is that he was ALWAYS there for us, and especially for our mother.  As he aged he depended on others a bit but had a sweet way of asking for help. He would say, "When you get a minute - - - "

I really have much more to say about this devoted family man and husband and father. He is always thought of with great love and I miss him. He taught us to be resourceful, industrious, to complete what we start and to do our best in whatever we try.  He was a gentle man and a gentleman.

Mullein in Campground

“Oh, grey hill,

Where the grazing herd

Licks the purple blossom,

Crops the spiky weed!

Oh, stony pasture,

Where the tall mullein

Stands up so sturdy

On its little seed!”

– Edna St. Vincent Millay

We always called it “flannel leaf.” My Dad used to eliminate it when he could because he thought it was poisonous to children.

"The seeds are said to intoxicate fish when thrown into the water, and are used by poachers for that purpose, being slightly narcotic."

For much more information and some medicinal uses read on:

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mulgre63.html

Make cough syrup:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My3WHWYl-IA

Use for toilet paper!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4putIxHsNCk

Now I am over-informed!
Who knew!!??

Fruits Grow Here

Besides banana plants and jelly palm trees, fig trees grow here - right beside the lake. 

Good Fences #11

Lonely Arbor

At the end of the campground property is an exclusive section belonging to the founder's family.  The private Valentine's Day wedding was held at the edge of the woods for a family member. The couple stood in front of the arbor and it was decorated with little red lights, ribbons and red hearts. It now stands alone without the embellishments of the flowers and the bride and groom. No one goes there now.

click on image to view larger

The feelings of a happy and busy time remain in this isolated area though the arbor is empty.

History:
What seemed an impossible dream in 1959 became a remarkable accomplishment... Carl and Marion Perry developed a small 125-site campground, Camp Beachwood. Eventually that investment led the Perry’s to open Lakewood Camping Resort, the first privately owned campground on the Grand Strand! It was the only resort of it’s kind offering customers a resort experience for a fraction of the cost of staying in a hotel. With affordability and a focus on family values, the Perry's continue to make Lakewood Camping Resort the choice destination in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Today the family investment has grown to 1,100 campsites, 105 rental Villas and more than 790 Villas owned by individuals from all over North America. With luxurious amenities spread across 200 acres of prime oceanfront real estate, Lakewood has grown to be one of the largest camping resorts in the world. An award winning mega RV Park, recognized as the National Mega Park of the Year for 2010-2011. The "Best Of South Carolina" Award in 2012, as well as the "Plan-It Green" Award for 2011-2012.

When Marion and Carl Perry were led to open the first privately owned campground in Myrtle Beach in 1959, they initially believed they were embarking on a new business venture. However, it didn't take them long to realize that their family owned business was just a vehicle that God was going to use to accomplish His goals.

Mr. and Mrs. Perry grasped the vision that they were to be stewards of the new property that God had entrusted to them to operate a Christian-oriented campground that offered campers a place to come and find good family values and an environment that promoted Christian ideas.  They also saw the opporunity to share the gospel in a casual environment with many adults and children who may never enter into a formal worship setting.  On January 10, 1972 Lakewood Campground Ministry was founded. The ministry is a non-profit ministry and is still a vital part of Lakewood's community today. 

Lakewood Camping Resort is still owned and operated by the Perry family. It is their mission to continue to make Lakewood family focused so guests can enjoy Myrtle Beach, South Carolina... a place of beauty, harmony and one of the most tranquil atmospheres you will find anywhere!


 
Linking up to Good Fences:

http://www.run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com

Rubbish Tuesday #5

These sort of go together, don't you think? Well...whatever works, I guess. I hope they brought bench and table covers!

click on image to view larger

http://rubbishbyroan.blogspot.com