Me and Dad
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Growing up on the beaches in Myrtle Beach, SC in the 1970's as a pre-teen was loads of fun. It was a time for tube socks, banana seated bicycles, and Summer days that went on and on.
Photo provided by Facebook fan Shannon Haislip Waddell
I think the most exciting thing about that era was that there were so many dads. For a boy, Dads represent authority. They can be kind of scary, if you cross them, but, make no mistake, they are very important and getting their full attention is every kid's fondest dream.
My dad seemed to work a lot and work was very important to him. You did not bother my dad when he was working. However, on certain Sundays, which was always his day off, my brother and I might get him to steal away to the beach after church and play. Dads really know how to play!
Moms are cool for making sure you have your teeth brushed or your back pack stocked, but Dads specialize in play. They can make a day at the beach downright dangerous. My dad would take us way out into the waves and throw us a mile in the air. He taught me how to body surf. Most times I swallowed more of the ocean than I rode.
Of course I face planted a lot and the tide often scrapped me along the bottom of the beach cutting little scratches all over my body. The salt water would burn my fresh cuts as I came up for air, blue faced and dazed. And there was my dad, standing tall above the waves, laughing. "Shake it off!", he would say. It was time for round two and I would rush back to where he was. This would always go on until my skin was bright red and mom would call a halt to the whole day.
Salt, Sun, Dad, and me... I think Sundays were some of the best days of my childhood.
Myrtle Beach has lots of great places that you can take your dad like the Marriott Resort and Spa. That hotel is located right in front of a very private beach where I most loved to play as a child. There are other great places too.
If you are lucky enough to have a Dad, next time you come to Myrtle Beach, make sure to bring him with you.
Hope to see you on the beach real soon....