Myrtle Beach SC Bluegrass Festival 2018

19 Nov '18. Left Indian Springs for Myrtle Beach. Great drive over back roads. Uneventful trip. (NB: you can enlarge the pictures with a click)

We're staying at Ocean Lakes Family Campground (LINK) in site 4110 for around $40/day. It is Thanksgiving weekend. I thought the place would be empty, but it is packed! Office said all but a couple of sites are booked a year+ ahead. They say: "Ocean Lakes features 859 campsites and 2,560 annual lease sites on 310 oceanfront acres with nearly one mile of beachfront, five bathhouses, and more than 360 employees in the height of the camping season.  It is the largest campground on the east coast and one of the largest in the United States. On an average seasonal day Ocean Lakes has 25,000 – 35,000 guests." These pictures were taken on Tue, before the hordes arrived. I forgot to take another one when everyone was here.

In spite of the crowds, it was quite enjoyable. Noise was minimum if at all. Just nice folks enjoying family and friends in elaborate cookouts.

Oh, why are we here? The 49th(!) annual South Carolina Bluegrass Festival at the convention center.

Another awesome 3 day show with a great lineup. They go from Noon until 2200. Dogs hate it because they eat late. Next year will be the 50th...bet it will be special. Better make reservations now!

We decided to stay a few extra days to relax (and eat). Our favorite is the K&W Cafeteria. Awesome assortment of excellent food at great prices. On Sunday we went to Murrells Inlet and ate at the Dead Dog Saloon (LINK)! 

The walls are covered with pictures of patron's dogs who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

The dining room overlooks the inlet. The food was excellent.

The plan was to move on to Santee Lake but some family medical issues popped up and we need to head home. Awaiting doctor appointment scheduling inf,o we took Monday to drive up to North Myrtle so Robin could reminisce about where she had taken the girls when they were young. She says the place has grown a lot.

Another thing we did was stop in at a German restaurant we had seen going to the festival. Wow!!!! 

Cafe Old Vienna is awesome LINK Beautiful, authentic decor, amazing staff, and, best of all, wonderful true German food! We both had Jaeger Schnitzel and it was awesome. 

Oh, we also started out with Gluehweins...fantastic. That's our fantastic server Jeff. Small world: he worked at the Walhorn German restaurant in Charlotte that we visit when we can. Knows his German cuisine! 

We'll go back to Myrtle Beach even if it is only to go to Cafe Vienna. 

Returned to Base (RTB) on the 28th via the same route. Great trip.