Traveling has always been top of mind for me. Venturing off to different places and exploring the world. However, that has not and is not the case with the rest of my family.
So, you can imagine how it took me by surprise when my Mom actually agreed to be my travel companion on a bus tour from New York to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!
The year was 1985, I was 20 years old and it was just me and mom and a bus load of people we didn't (yet) know, headed down and back up the East Coast for a week long trip.
So, you can imagine how it took me by surprise when my Mom actually agreed to be my travel companion on a bus tour from New York to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!
The year was 1985, I was 20 years old and it was just me and mom and a bus load of people we didn't (yet) know, headed down and back up the East Coast for a week long trip.
Our Travel Route from New York to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
I wanted to choose a destination that wasn't that far, but at the same time, brought us to some places that we each had not seen before. Myrtle Beach seemed like the perfect combination of these two criteria.
You may be wondering, why a bus tour? Several reasons - First, a bus tour, leaving locally, would require no flying and was more economical. Secondly, my mom had experience with bus tours and actually enjoyed this mode of travel and having everything organized and planned out. She also spoke of how much fun it was to get to know people in such close quarters.
You may be wondering, why a bus tour? Several reasons - First, a bus tour, leaving locally, would require no flying and was more economical. Secondly, my mom had experience with bus tours and actually enjoyed this mode of travel and having everything organized and planned out. She also spoke of how much fun it was to get to know people in such close quarters.
Only once before did I travel on a bus tour. A few months earlier, me and my childhood bff decided it wold be fun to take a weekend trip up to Montreal, Canada.
I had found a very economical bus tour company, called Domenico Tours. It was no-frills. Not what you'd call 5-star accommodations, but they hit all the desired tourist spots with well-thought out itineraries.
I had found a very economical bus tour company, called Domenico Tours. It was no-frills. Not what you'd call 5-star accommodations, but they hit all the desired tourist spots with well-thought out itineraries.
I ran the idea of a bus trip with this moderately priced tour company past Mom and she was fine with everything - she sometimes has a tendency to be a little high maintenance, so I didn't know if she would go for this "lower-end" approach. Happily, she did, and we set off on memorable mom & daughter bonding trip!
The map above, shows the route we took along the East Coast. It all started at the Queens Center Mall in Flushing, which was the meeting point for everyone in the area that were going on a Domenico Tour. From there, we were shuttled to Bayonne, New Jersey, where the group was split up by their respective destinations to board their actual tour bus.
The map above, shows the route we took along the East Coast. It all started at the Queens Center Mall in Flushing, which was the meeting point for everyone in the area that were going on a Domenico Tour. From there, we were shuttled to Bayonne, New Jersey, where the group was split up by their respective destinations to board their actual tour bus.
Mom and "Helen" - our new friend on our Domenico Bus Tour There were a variety of traveling companions on our bus load - from married couples to groups of ladies traveling together. We were the only mother-daughter team. There was also an interesting comradery among these people as many of them had traveled together before on other Domenico tours.
They welcomed us right in, especially this one women, Helen, who was an absolute hoot. It was she who organized most of the bus' sing-a-longs and games. What Domenico lacked in frills, it more than made up in warmth and down to earthiness in the travelers.
Stopping along the way, traveling south, we stopped at the delightful South of the Border in Hamer, South Carolina, the popular, road side attraction at Interstate 95-U.S. 301-501.
I had an opportunity to get up close and personal with "Pedro" who is the official mascot of South of the Border, which has been a landmark of the southeast for over 50 years.
I had an opportunity to get up close and personal with "Pedro" who is the official mascot of South of the Border, which has been a landmark of the southeast for over 50 years.
 South of the Border - Sombrero Tower  |  Me and Pedro  |
There were a few highlights from this trip that were particularly memorable, including the Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina, which is a Garden Museum of American Sculpture. Scattered with breathtaking summer plantings, butterfly plants and drought resistant plants and impressive sculptures, Mom and I strolled the expansive grounds.
Since the internet did not exist back in 1985, but does now - I found a lovely video online featuring the planting of more than 60,000 Caladiums in the Live Oak Allee at Brookgreen Gardens (circa 2013).
The Gardens has so many attractions and things to do and since my visit in 1985, it appears from the website that the events and things to do are unending, which include a zoo, sculpting classes, events calendar, and boat rides.
Since the internet did not exist back in 1985, but does now - I found a lovely video online featuring the planting of more than 60,000 Caladiums in the Live Oak Allee at Brookgreen Gardens (circa 2013).
The Gardens has so many attractions and things to do and since my visit in 1985, it appears from the website that the events and things to do are unending, which include a zoo, sculpting classes, events calendar, and boat rides.
  Mom in the Sculpture Gardens |   |
Mom and I also had an unbelievably, unforgettable "Christmas Dinner" at Chapman's Restaurant in Pink House Square, which served a year round, most unforgettable Christmas Dinner! I could not find this site on the internet but believe this area has been transformed into a new residential community from the research I was able to maintain. Lots can change in 30 years!!
 |  Mom in front of Chapman's Restaurant |
Perhaps the most fun was our time right in the heart of Myrtle Beach and visiting the famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk! My Throwback trip goes back 30 years, so my experience was much different than if you are to visit this area today. The boardwalk was re-built in 2010 and I was taken by surprise after visiting the website. Not quite as old school as it was 30 years ago!
The new 1.2 mile-long Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade extends along the sand from the 14th Avenue to 2nd Avenue Piers in Myrtle Beach. There are festivals and events including Ocean Boulevard's Hot Summer Nights located at Plyler Park in the heart of the downtown area.
With lots of shops, Mom and I traversed the pier and had lots of laughs. Those of you who know me, know I love rides and amusement parks! I can't, unfortunately, say the same for dear old Mom. But, that didn't stop me from hitting the Ferris Wheel on the Boardwalk. I was not going to miss an opportunity to go on this huge ferris wheel, even it meant going on alone.
The new Skywheel is now a popular attraction!
The new 1.2 mile-long Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade extends along the sand from the 14th Avenue to 2nd Avenue Piers in Myrtle Beach. There are festivals and events including Ocean Boulevard's Hot Summer Nights located at Plyler Park in the heart of the downtown area.
With lots of shops, Mom and I traversed the pier and had lots of laughs. Those of you who know me, know I love rides and amusement parks! I can't, unfortunately, say the same for dear old Mom. But, that didn't stop me from hitting the Ferris Wheel on the Boardwalk. I was not going to miss an opportunity to go on this huge ferris wheel, even it meant going on alone.
The new Skywheel is now a popular attraction!
  Not the best picture Mom - but there's me heading up on the Ferris Wheel |   |
Revisiting this trip was a true walk down memory lane. I think I know what I will plan as an upcoming road trip with the kiddies!! I'm sure it will be like seeing something I haven't since there are so many updates and changes since I traveled to Myrtle Beach with my "Domenico" Bus clan!
-Elisa
-Elisa