Friday: So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good Night; I Hate To Go and Leave This Pretty Sight

At 6:50am, Mary, Kim, Karen, and Erin decided to brave their tiredness and woke up early for a sunrise over the ocean. While it may have been a little cloudy over the horizon and the air was chilly, it was a perfect goodbye to this place. Their love for this beach and the memories made in their time in Myrtle Beach will never be forgotten.

The condo was cleaned, the cars were packed tightly, and team friendship was off on their ride home. Doughnuts and coffee were necessary on our way out of town, and what better place than Krispy Kreme? We were off on the highway by 8:45am, not too shabby. A lunch at Chick-Fil-A outside was nice, despite the fact that they didn’t have a bathroom. By the way, what is Polynesian sauce?

A full day of driving left us very tired, and we stopped at the Quality Inn in Indianapolis. We watched a little television (DC Cupcakes and Say Yes To The Dress) until each of us drifted off to sleep for the night to prepare for the final leg of the trip.

Wednesday: It's Not All Mini-Golf Courses and Cheap Beach Shops

Torrey, Karen, and Mary hopped in the car for a ride north to Sunset Beach to get away from the touristy Myrtle Beach for a day. After driving through the exciting North Myrtle Beach (Vanna White’s hometown) and crossing the border into North Carolina, they got exactly what they were looking for. What they found was an adorable small town with beach cottages and a tranquil beach with sand dunes abound. Although it was a little windy and the fine sand blew in their faces, they enjoyed the relaxation and sun. Searching for the oysters on the sand bar was quite exciting too.

Jess finally went golfing, which was one of her goals of the trip. Erin headed to the course too, but decided that it was best to just drive the cart. They met two women, who were an interesting case study in middle-aged women. Jess was able to play on the same level as them, so there was no humiliation. While Jess was enjoying her time on the course, Erin didn’t quite realize that a golf game took 4.5 hours. So she sat back, put her feet up, and read a book while the other girls were playing.

Ashley, Kim, and Kenzie decided to stick back by the pool. They had a relaxing day in the sun, while getting some MCAT studying and research homework done and of course going for a few dips in the incredibly chilly pool.

In the need for some margaritas, take out Mexican food sounded like a perfect complement. Jess’s food ended up not making into our carry out bag, but Erin was nice enough to pick it up from the place. Kenzie ended up eating some of her leftover pizza and Erin picked up some sushi instead.

We called the same cab company for a ride over to the same bars as the night before. On the ride over, we had a wonderful sing along to Forget You to pump us up for meeting “The Situation.” Erin again requested S & M from the same DJ, and the club blew up. After plenty of dancing, “the situation” finally arrived. Ashley, Erin, Jess, and Karen rushed to the front, pushing everyone out of their way. They got within a couple feet, but that just wasn’t good enough for Ashley and Erin. These girls stayed until club close, found a few VIP wristbands, and joined his posse. Although they decided it was best not to get in “The Situation’s” hummer limo, as they have watched the Jersey Shore before and were a little weary, they got the perfect picture with him.

Sunday: Mytle Beach is the Worst

Goal number one: see the Biltmore Estate, fail.  Apparently, tickets are required to so much as see the building.  Our college pocketbooks decided that it was not worth the price.  We then began the drive with a very road-worn group of ladies, but the fearless Kim and Mary powered through to lunch.
In need of a break from fried food, we decided Subway should be today's stop.  A friendly man, who got in line after us, told us about how horrible and tacky Myrtle Beach is.  But really, tacky is exactly what we were looking for.
After another 3 hours of driving, we made it to our final destination. And it was good. On the way to our specific villa, the boy crazy Ashley and Karen saw their first glimpse of male shirtlessness in Myrtle Beach. Needless to say, they were increadibly excited and exclaimed a little too loudly.

Hungry for some healthy food, we headed to the nearby Walmart  and bought some tasty groceries.  Chicken, good. Salad, good. Meal, success.
We had yet to see the beach/the ocean.  With a quickness in our step, we made our way across the green grass and the paved sidewalks to the soft sand.
Upon arrival, we threw our shoes and ran to the ocean.  Mary, an ocean newcomer, was the first one to put her feet in the water.  Though it was still cold from the fading winter, we were in love.  The ocean would soon become an honorary member of our group.

Saturday: Pick Your Battles

Lunch Break

After rolling out at 8:30am, we stopped and got some donuts for breakfast.  No one was left out this time.  Got some lunch at Arby's.

As Kim's car was excited about seeing the original KFC, Mary's car was less than impressed.  To get to Sander's Cafe, we had to make our way through a rather shifty town.  However, there was a cute little museum connected to a little KFC restaurant.  So Torrey was able to buy biscuits.

After a little[lot] more driving, both groups made it to the mountain hotel, Brookstone Lodge.  Erin worked her magic with the desk worker, Audrey, and convinced her to let us hang out in the hot tub.  Everyone was more than relieved by the steaming water and powerful jets.  And so we were prepared for the final leg of our drive.

Friday:

 4:45 departed from St. Olaf, with Karen practically peeing in her pants with excitement in the back of Mary’s Taurus.

The Quad Cities

The Plan was to head to Kim’s hometown of Moline, IL.  On this educational field trip, she thought the opportunities of the Quad Cities (whatever that is) shouldn’t be missed. One of these opportunities was the Famous Whitey’s ice cream. In order to make it in time for a tasty treat, Kim’s 1999 Accord pressed the speed barrier and drove at a steady 82 mph. It was worth the risk, as the Mississippi Mud melted away any nerves inside their tummies.

Arrival: Kim’s house circa 10:15. The Taurus had some difficulty crossing the state line into Illinois and got a bit lost. For future reference the correct Exit 3 is in Illinois, not Iowa.  Once the crew was melded again, we watched the infamous Jersey Shore, to give a little tease before the anticipated “meeting” of Mike “the Situation.”  (Let it be known that the crew in Kim’s car did not by Whitey’s ice cream for the later arriving, Mary’s car which, let it be know, the riders in Mary’s car are still sore.  Torrey says she’s over it, but she’s definitely not. .)

...But first, an introduction

Meet the members of Team Friendship!

• Kim “El Presidente” Spitzfaden  
• McKenzie “Wow that’s a lot of Floral Patterns” West  
• Jess “Lips of Emotion” Nelson 
• Erin “Schmoozin’ for Some Boozin’” Poor 
• Mary “Workin’ the Speedo” Skaden 
• Torrey “T-pain/Brings-the-Pain to Colonel Sanders’ First Café” Smith 
• Ashley “Bangs Bard in Her White Tee” Amdahl 
• Karen “The Sizzler Squealer” Bieraugel

Sprink Breag Destination: Myrtle Beach, SC