Four year old Paige Bennethum was heartbroken when her father was deployed overseas, so much so that she could not let go of his hand even as he stood in final formation before shipping out to Iraq.

As reported on NBC News out of Philadelphia, neither her father, Army Reservist Staff Sgt. Brett Bennethum, nor his commanding officer, had the heart to make her let go.

Let us be ever mindful of the young heroes, the military children, and the sacrifices they are forced to make.

 


The excerpt from the letter begins here:




Well, that is the excerpt of the letter...  It is just a bit of insight into what it was like living overseas.  Yes, it was fun to sample the best of Europe, and travel a bit.  But what I really took home was a new way of looking at the world...




 

Want to reprint this article? Please be our guest as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio Denali, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.

An older article....

Times are changing, yes indeed.


My husband and I watched a TV show tonight on a PBS-type of channel, that got us talking. The show examined the social impact on children, of a family's passed-down stories. The documentary was filmed around 25 years ago. As they discussed the generations of the family, the narrator made a comment about the grandparents being around 40 years old, "middle-aged; a time in life where a person is typically in the height of their career and enjoying spending time with their grandchildren."


I began to ponder how much times have changed since that was filmed only a few decades ago. My husband is 40, and I am 38 years old....and we are the proud parents of a 2-year old. Not quite grandparent material, and certainly not ready to claim the title of "middle-aged" as our own.


I started thinking about my parents' and grandparents' generations, when people commonly married and started families younger. My grandfather's generation had a much lower life-expectancy, and being that he passed away at 75 years old the narrator was pretty accurate; 40 years old truly was middle-aged for him and his generation.


Now, with many of us delaying marriage and parenthood until we are well into our 30's, forty has an entirely different feel to it. It is hard to think of one's self as middle-aged while actively participating in procreation. Being a new parent, although exhausting, has a way of making one feel renewed, alive; and gives a new feeling of vitality.


And with news reports that more and more of us are becoming centenarians, I am thinking that I have another 12 years before I am going to embrace the middle-aged title as my own. I just don't feel as though I deserve it yet. I have not accomplished half of what I am meant to do. I need more time....


I cannot say that I will live to be one hundred, but according to the article How to Live to Be 100 Years Old, I am doing many of the right things. In fact, many of us are on the right path. "By the year 2050, America will be home to an estimated 1 million centenarians." With more Americans sliding into the title "centenarian" it only stands to reason that the term "middle-aged" is sliding too.


When I think of middle-aged, I picture gray hair, matronly clothing in dark colors, and sensible shoes. I don't see an athletic blonde running behind a jogging stroller. Nope, that's not me. You can keep that title for now....check back with me in 12 years!

Want to reprint this article?

Please be our guest as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio Denali, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.

New Year's Eve, 1951


 
But for the year 1951-it was a rough one. It started out with the world divided into two camps and ended about the same. War in Korea at the beginning of the year was a particularly nasty setup for the United Nations troops and it looked for a few weeks as if they wuld be driven out by the increasing numbers of Chinese Reds. I want you to always remember that the men in the field, both sides included, are not warmakers. Chinese and North Koreans are victims of years of suppression and deprivation. They have known want for so long that any political orgainzation which stood for more food and security for them and their families would be the most desirable in their eyes. Those members of the United Nations forces were fighting for what they believed was a just cause, the freedom of man, regardless of nationality, from the oppression of a dictitorial ruler.




In England the socialist experiment failed and Winston Churchill was returned to the offices of Prime Minister. The English political situation has been going down hill since the war and this year saw many backward slides. In Iran the oil treaty with the British was broken because the Iranians felt that they were being cheated. In Egypt there was many riots protesting the very presence of the British in that country and the Suez canal zone. Financially the English people where suffering as great a wants as during the war years and yet they continued to trade with the Russians because the cut off of that trade, they claimed, would completely bankrupt their economy.


All in all I suppose that you feel it was a pretty bad year to be born...but it wasn't. Because you and others were born the world will have another chance to redeem itself. You and your fellow new citizens can do a great deal to make this world a better place if you will study the teachings of the great men who have gone before you. More people belonged to churches this year than ever before so maybe it won't be as bad a world when we finally turn it over to you.

This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio Denali, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.

There was a time that being American gave tremendous privilege and a secure way of life. But, America has changed over the past decades and in many ways it has changed for the worse. Like so many others, I worry that we have not seen the bottom of the spiral, and I have to wonder, am I witnessing the death of America?

In the time of Thucydides, Greeks ruled. Once the power of Rome stretched throughout the known world. And, at one time, "the sun never set on Great Britain". Times change: Greece is no longer a world force. Rome is now nothing but a city; Great Britain has been absorbed by the European Union. Great powers fall over time.

My parents lived a confident life. Superpower citizenship gave them inherent wealth, privileges and opportunities. Being American afforded them a certain security when they traveled, and it meant they were welcomed in most countries of the world. The future looked bright, and they had the luxury of feeling secure within our borders.

Contrast this with the travel advice my generation is given: "when traveling overseas take great care NOT to identify yourself as an American. Ensure you do not attach anything identifiable to your suitcases (such as American flags.)" Now, an unsettlingly large percentage of the world hates us. And at any given moment, there are groups of people plotting ways to kill us at home and abroad, just for the sin of being born in America.

I have always considered myself highly patriotic.  I am a military wife of more than a decade.  Our family has made tremendous personal sacrifices out of patriotic duty.  I am also prior enlisted myself, having personally served a tour in the military.  And, I have engaged in countless arguments with foreign-born friends defending America's honor.

But... America is changing, and I am not fond of the America that stands before me today. American ideals were once celebrated throughout the world. Now it seems we are hated by those same people that once adored us. We are involved in wars that we cannot win, wars that cost trillions of dollars when our country's economy has fallen to the worst state since the Great Depression. Millions of Americans are facing foreclosure and the unemployment rate is at a record high.

What happened to the country I loved? The health care system is broken, with no solution in sight. Identity theft and people who make a business of scamming others seem to be everywhere. Everytime I turn on the TV, I see a report of teen violence, or school/workplace shootings, or another murder.

Racial tension is still rearing it's ugly head. Ten years ago I remember commenting to a friend,

"My grandmother was raised in a time where America was segregated; my mother lived through the time of civil rights and black people being relegated to the back of the bus. I have lived through the time of Affirmative Action. But, to my children, none of this will matter. Each generation comes closer to equality, and my children's generation will be the first to be colorless. Playing with children of all races in the school-yard, they will truly see all colors as equal."

I couldn't have been more wrong. We may have our first black president, but has it really changed? Our entire country stopped last week over racial tension when a black professor was arrested by a white police officer. The tension over Mexican immigration has hit dangerous proportions, with border violence becoming epidemic.

Let me also point out how American's values are skewed. During the same weekend that America was up in arms about the black professor being arrested, several American soldiers were killed overseas defending your freedom. I bet you don't know their names, but I will give you 2 to 1 that you can name that professor....

Wanna reprint this article?

Be our guest as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio Denali, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.

Two weeks ago our bank account was hijacked at payday. Within hours our bank account was drained, and in cleaning up the mess we learned some surprising facts.

Like many people, we used our debit card for virtually everything: gas, groceries, restaurants; even to shop on-line. Really the breach could have happened anywhere, but in reviewing the time-line of our purchases we suspect that the debit card number was swiped electronically either from a stop at our local gas station, or by a fast-food employee at the drive-thru window.

Luckily our bank caught the breach within hours and de-activated my husband's debit card.

How did we find out?  The most embarrassing way possible:  his card was declined at the grocery store with a full cart of groceries.

Back at home, we discovered a phone message from our bank asking us to call about a possible security issue, and when we went on-line to view our account we discovered money missing.

In a matter of hours, thieves had taken hundreds of dollars.  If our bank,  USAA, had not protected us we would have been wiped out before the afternoon was over.  (This is one of the many reasons we recommend banking with USAA if you are eligible.)


Our bank did reimburse 100% of the stolen funds, but we were lucky; banks are not required to do so.   With a credit card, liability for unauthorized purchases is capped at $50 no matter what, but with debit cards it is different.  Debit cards only offer a $50 cap on liability if the unauthorized transactions are reported within 2 days. The liability goes up to $500 for reports of a lost or stolen card if made between 3 and 60 days. And you are fully liable for any transactions reported after 60 days from the bank statement date.  Our bank reimbursed us for 100% of the stolen funds, but not all banks are so generous.

Advantages of using Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards:

All credit cards offer special purchase protections. These protections vary by card, generally are free, and most people do not even know they exist.  They are especially beneficial when it comes to on-line or large purchases, but some benefits apply to even the smallest of charges.

Some credit card companies take it a step further and offer free purchase insurance that will refund in the event of loss, theft, or breakage.   Details of the insurance will vary by company, and most have a minimum purchase amount.

And, many credit cards offer free insurance on car rentals, and some even offer trip insurance for airline tickets.

One of the most powerful benefits of using a credit card over a debit card is the ability to reverse or dispute a transaction. If you order an item that does not arrive, or you receive something other than what you ordered, you can dispute the transaction with your credit card company who will resolve the issue on your behalf.


If you use Paypal, you are only fully protected if you fund the transaction with a credit card.  Paypal offers a free"Buyer's Protection Plan", however upon reading the fine print you will discover that the reimbursement is limited. Paypal decides if and when reimbursement should occur at all (you agreed to this when checking boxes to open your account).  And, the fine print also states that the buyer's protection coverage is limited to the amount recoverable from the other person's Paypal account. If their Paypal account is empty, you get nothing.

However by funding the Paypal transaction with a credit card,  you have the full protection of your credit card company behind you and retain all rights to dispute the charge should something go wrong with the transaction.  This will allow you to receive FULL reimbursement, whereas using a debit card only offers the protection that Paypal deems sufficient.



The smartest advice is to not use a debit card, but for most of us that is not realistic.  However, a great alternative is to open a second account, which you fund with only the amount needed for day-to-day purchases.  Do not link your debit card to an account with a lot of money; this limits the amount a thief can get hold of.


Obviously we have learned our lesson, not to use a debit card linked to the same account that our paycheck is deposited into. Even though our bank reimbursed us, it did take 8 days to get the money back. Imagine an emptied bank account and mortgage being due, or credit card payments being late. We were lucky, but an attack such as this could reek havoc on a person's credit. A missed or bounced payment could lead to various charges including late or returned payment charges, insufficient funds charges, and even losing promotional interest rates on credit accounts, not to mention endless headaches and sleepless nights.

It is impossible to prevent card number theft in this current electronic age, however by using a credit card in place of a debit card for purchases can greatly reduce your exposure to risk and provide you with added benefits.

Want to reprint this article?

Please be our guest as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio Denali, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.

File this under "unbelievable facts."
Did you know Mickey and Minnie are married?






Wayne Allwine (who plays the voice of Mickey Mouse) and Russi Taylor (who plays the voice of Minnie Mouse) married in 1991.







I learned this fact earlier this week when I saw them together on a re-run of The View. Instantly I had a wealth of jokes... and sat down to write a funny article.


However, as I went on-line to find photos I learned a sad fact. Wayne Allwine passed away 10 weeks ago, at age 62, from Diabetes complications. What started off to be a funny article suddenly took a sad turn and I found myself mourning a man I have never met, but one who has brought my family so much joy.




Mr. Allwine: You have touched the heart of the world's children. Forever you will live on in us all. Thank you Sir. Rest in peace.

Want to reprint this article?

Please be our guest as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio Denali, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.

The world is shrinking my friends. Globalization is upon us. And, the internet is the gateway.

International sales, formerly the playground of giant corporations, is now at everyone's fingertips. Worldwide sales access is as simple today as starting a retail website, or listing items on Ebay. And, with the U.S. dollar declining in value against other currencies, more people from around the world are looking to American websites for good deals.

The American economy is in a slump, with consumer spending at an all-time low--but there is unlimited earning potential if you are willing to put the low value of the dollar to work for you. Have you considered opening your business to international sales--or if you are currently out of work, selling American items on the internet with a global market in mind?

Worried about the language barrier? Here is your answer: Free on-line translation services.


1) Write simply.   Forget the colorful prose. Forget the big words. Forget implications. All of this can lead to inaccurate translations, and misunderstandings. Be precise with your meanings, and say it in the simplest language possible. Do not use contractions. Avoid words with multiple or ambiguous meanings.

2) Use short sentences.
Each language has it's own sentence structure: 

In French the adjective comes after the noun: "The red car is big," becomes "La voiture rouge est grande."
In German, a question must always be started with a verb. "Do you come from Germany?" literally translates into the following sentence structure: "Come you from Germany?" (Kommen Sie aus Deutschland?)

Spanish drops the pronoun when it is understood in a sentence. "I want to sleep" translates "Quiero dormir," with the pronoun "I" being dropped from the sentence altogether.

Each language has it's own set of rules, but a good on-line translation program will know them. However, the quality of your translation can only match the simplicity of your writing. If you use long, compound sentences with added phases and many ideas separated by commas....the computer will jumble your meaning as it tries to force your words to the other language's proper sentence structure. The result will be a jumble of incoherent words that lose your meaning.

3) Do not use slang.  "Bucks" will not translate as well as the word "dollars."

4) Avoid cliches.  "I'm keeping my fingers crossed," communicates your thought to an American, but in Germany they "press their thumbs" instead. Each country has it's own set of sayings, most don't translate.

"Keeping up with the Jones" means nothing to an Italian reader.

It is arrogant, and generally wrong to assume that American colloquisms will translate to other languages.

I recently had a Norwegian write that they "have an angel sitting on their shoulder" in reference to our business deal, assuming I would know what they meant. I had no idea. And, your audience won't understand your well-known American sayings either.



1) Yahoo Babel Fish - my favorite! From my experience, this one is by far the most accurate. Translates English text to 12 languages with super-fast speed.

2) Stars21.com/translator Offers translations between English and 45 other languages, including many hard to find translations such as Esperanto, Latin, and Finnish. Although it is a reliable translation site, I have not found it to be as accurate in German as Yahoo Babel Fish.

3) Free-Translator.com Awesome offerings. Boasts an extensive list of links to foreign language resources such as newspapers, radio, and on-line television. Offers translations for websites and emails, foreign language dictionaries, and free on-line language courses. Free-translator.com has an enormous amount of content and links, the only down side is the speed; just a little slower than the others.

Don't worry about being perfect; people in other countries won't expect perfection. Americans have a reputation of arrogance throughout the world. People of other countries often complain that Americans expect everyone to speak English. For most cultures, the attempt to speak their language is a sign of great respect, and in my experience your attempt will be met with generous goodwill.

Want to reprint this article?

Please be our guest as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio Denali, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.

Sometimes a simple question can launch the best discussions...

by Rio Denali and a friend

 

An excerpt of emails:

 

Him:  Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin?

 

Rio: That is a good question.  Here is my opinion.

Led Zeppelin was one of the most significant musical groups of the 70s (part of the 60s as well) for a couple reasons.  They defined a generation of music, tested the boundaries, and took rock music of that genre to new heights.  Just as it can be said that language is alive and reflects the people who use it, genres of music are the same way.  Led Zeppelin was the musical manifestation of the hippie counter-culture going on at the time in the US and throughout much of the western world.  It was a reflection of the drug experimentation, the need to define a generation as separate from those that came before it, a need for rebellion perhaps.....  It reflected the growth of the psyche of the young (or young at heart) I would say, and their musical progression from album to album is a journey that they both took people on, and was influenced by those sharing a similar journey at the same time. 

Bottom line is that although they are not a favorite of mine (other than a couple songs, I do not actually enjoy their music), they are a defining force in 1970s rock, and rock music overall.  They are a classic band of epic proportions.  But, they are dated in sound and impact, meaning that they belong exclusively to one era of music.  Their music, being so strongly intertwined with a generation, a genre and with the musical experimentation that was going on at the time is not something that endures and speaks to new generations except as a classic--a relic.

The Rolling Stones, on the other hand, is a band who made the shifts with musical changes.  They began as a parallel with the Beatles, that sort of sound coming out of the UK at that time.  And although that was considered "rock" and "hardcore" back then....they were able to transcend that and move into the true genre of "rock" as the 70s came about.  (Many would argue that the Beatles stayed a step behind....they never quite made the move to the rock sound of the 70s.  I know, I know....you may argue this fact, but the difference I am talking about here is this:  The Beatles are appropriate on a 60s station that only plays things like the Beach Boys, while only the earliest Rolling Stones could be played on such a station and no Led Zeppelin could be played there.  I Wanna Hold Your Hand could not be played on a 70s station that is known for hardcore Led Zeppelin, but much of the Rolling Stone's catalog from that era could....)

Rolling Stones went from Beatles-era rock, to the 70s rock successfully....partly because they were never a fringe band, meaning they did not go so far into the experimental realm.  They moved the new direction, seemed to embrace it, and in many ways (and depending on where you lived) even defined it to some extent.  Their music from that era has a timeless feel to it, and still feels relevant today, not just in the musical relic (musical history) way that Zeppelin does though.....it feels pertinent to a new time, even now 30-40 years later. 

 

 A 70s Stones song comes on the radio, and I find myself thinking, "Wow that is a really good song.  I forgot what a good song that is."  Then I find myself noticing how well the song "fits" with the radio lineup of the other bands from the 90s and the past decade.  Although their music from that era is classic in the sense of age, I would argue that much of what they made from that time period is really timeless, and will continue to be musically relevant for decades to come.  (Much of Zeppelin's catalog just isn't musically relevant to today's music and culture....it's more of a niche now, I would argue, much as the Beatles are today.)

Rolling Stones was so successful because they were able to switch genres and stay more in the middle of the road music-wise, never straying so far off into experimental directions as to mark them as fringe music.  Being mainstream in this case, was a key to their longevity, I would argue.  

 

The switch in genres was probably the most important key to their long term success.  Going from the Beatles sound, to the 70s sound, and then managing to transition their music just enough with each passing decade to still be making music that is popular 40 to 50 years later is quite an accomplishment.  Few artists have been able to leap genres like that:  Bon Jovi is a great example, one might even argue that KISS did a good job of it as well (spanning the disco era, 70s rock, and 80s glam rock for example)...but there aren't many good examples of bands who were able to do it, and do it well .

Him:   I really like how you articulated that, I think it would make for a good blog post. 

 

Want to reprint this article?

Please be our guest as long as you include this complete blurb with it: 

 

This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio Denali, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.

After all that hard work, a getaway is exactly what you need. But, where to go?


Myrtle Beach is one of the nicest beaches on the East Coast.  And, the prices are surprisingly affordable.

Staybridge Suites Hotel
For $110 per night, we lived in luxury.  With  2 bedrooms, 2  full baths, a living room with a dining table and a kitchen to call our own -- our suite felt more like an apartment than a hotel room.  And, the hotel amenities were great:  a sparkling outdoor pool, beautiful grounds, free laundry, a workout room....and saving best for last -- free food.


I have never seen a breakfast spread of this quality and quantity in a hotel.  Usually a hotel's continental breakfast is a couple of rock-hard bagels and stale coffee.  Not at the Staybridge!  Imagine a wonderful breakfast buffet with plenty of warm offerings:  Fresh belgian waffles with all the toppings, eggs or omletes, sausage, grits, and hot cooked oatmeal (with toppings if you wish).  Plus, breakfast breads:  toast, bagels, english muffins, pasteries and several varieties of muffins such as banana nut, cream cheese and blueberry.  As if this wasn't enough, there is also a cereal bar with 4 or 5 classic offerings, and a chilled bar that has several varieties of yogurts and fruits, and a full offering of drinks such as coffee, tea, chocolate and white milk, orange and apple juice.  The eating area is clean and spacious, featuring large windows, lodge-like decor, and a cathedral ceiling -- with the overall feel of a nice restaurant.  And, if you would prefer, they trays to take the food back to your room, or to-go bags if you need to eat on the run.

The Staybridge also hosts something called the "Sundowner".  We did not go, but were told that it is an evening "happy hour" of sorts, with great hot food and free beer on tap.  From what we heard, it is nice enough to skip dinner out on the town.



Well maintained, with staff a friendly and helpful staff, the Staybridge was terrific.  They offer a number of discounts, including military / government discounts as well as AAA.  Plenty of parking in a well-lit parking lot.  Nice landscaping, and well-manicured grounds lead to a sparkling clean outdoor pool, basketball court, and outdoor eating areas.  The lobby is gorgeous and they have a little store, The Bridgemart, open 24 / 7 just in case you forgot something or have the munchies.  The hotel was immaculately clean and very nicely decorated.  Plus, there is free laundry and a nicely appointed workout room.  The Staybridge offers several room types, with options to sleep 2 people, or groups up to 8.  And have the best pet-friendly policy in Myrtle Beach.



Staybridge Suites at Myrtle Beach is a pet-friendly hotel.  For a $20 per-night fee, the Staybridge allows dogs up to 80 pounds.  Have 2 dogs?  Not a problem -- that $20 per-night fee covers up to 2 dogs per room.  The hotel has thought of everything -- you don't even need to bring your own bags.  They even have 2 dedicated dog walks / dog potty areas, where they provide doggie bags and a receptacle right there for your convenience.




We travel with 3 kids.  This makes a normal hotel room just a little too small for our family, but renting 2 rooms is out of the question because of the cost involved, plus the fact that our children are too young to stay in a room alone.  Solution?  A suite!

Staybridge offers several suite options to chose from, with options that sleep 2 to 8 people.

In the "sleeps 6" category, there were 2 options:

1)  One king and one queen-sized bed

2)  One queen and 2 double-sized beds

We chose the queen with 2 doubles.



Coming in the door, you immediately enter a "great room", with 3 areas:  a TV viewing / seating area, a dining area, and a kitchen.

The television viewing / seating area is amply furnished with a 3 person sofa, an upholstered side chair, coffee table, and an armoire complete with storage and a large television.  Need extra seating?  The television can be seen from the dining table, and the dining chairs were surprisingly comfortable.

In that same room was a wooden dining table with 4 chairs.  I had concerns that a 4 person table would be an issue as we have 5 people in our family, but the room is very well designed and furnished.  Because the dining table and sofa are right by each other, we had  the kids eat at the dining table, while we at at the sofa / coffee table only feet away.  Very easy and convenient solution.

The third element of the great room was a kitchen.  We had a full sized fridge with icemaker, dishwasher, sink, microwave and 4 burner cook top.  The kitchen came well-stocked with things such as dish & dishwasher soap, dish towels, and everything else we needed like pots, plates & bowls,  and silverware.  I was impressed by the nice glasses (plus wine glasses too).  And, my husband was relieved to find a full-sized coffee maker and mugs.  The coffee maker alone sold him on the hotel!



Each bedroom was it's own suite with a television set and en suite bath.  Our master suite had a queen-sized bed, a generously-sized desk, large dresser and two nightstands.  We were surprised by the extras such as a built-in closet, a full-length mirror and an oversized sink vanity with even more storage underneath.  The hair-dryer hanging on the wall was a nice touch too.  It was wonderful to have our own full-sized bathroom in our suite.  That was luxury to be sure...  But, the best part was the shower.  A bowed-rod made it feel larger than the standard size shower, and the shower head was to die for! The hotel linens were very nice; upgraded quality on the towels and super-nice bed linens.  The Staybridge definitely did not cut any corners!

The children's room was just as nice.  The double beds were great.  We have never had so much room in a hotel!  I was amazed by the amount of storage; a large dresser, a built-in closet, and even more storage below the sink vanity.  And, another full-sized bathroom.


One thing I should warn you about it housekeeping.  The hotel differs from others in that true housekeeping (vacuuming and a through room cleaning in addition to trash removal and bed linen changing) is only offered once per week.  Monday thru Friday you will receive fresh bed linens and trash removal ("light house-keeping).  On the weekends, there is no house-keeping at all.  Of course you can pay for a higher level of house keeping, but it is not included in the rental price.

Although this may sound strange, this is common practice in condo rentals in many tourist destinations.




This is the only potential down-side to the hotel.  It is hard to find.  It is located next to the Freestyle Music Park (formerly known as the Hard Rock Park when it was owned by the Hard Rock Cafe Corp., it is a music and amusement park with roller coasters to frighten the most fearsome warrior.)  We printed out 2 sets of directions on-line before making our trip -- both were wrong.  It took some looking and a couple wrong turns to find our way, but we finally made it there.  The biggest problem is that each set of directions called the streets around the hotel a different name....and once we got there, we found that the street signs didn't agree with any of them.  In researching for this article, I just saw a notice of address change on the hotel website -- this explains a lot.  My advice...go to Mapquest or your map for the route to Myrtle Beach....and call the hotel for exact directions to their door.

Other than the hotel being hard to find, the location really was great.  There are several public beaches at Myrtle Beach.  We visited 2 while we were there, and the hotel was only 10 minutes away from the furthest one.  Plus, the hotel was right in middle of all of the other things we wanted to do.  Myrtle Beach really has something for everyone, far too much to list here.  I will be writing more articles outlining the highlights.  But, no matter what you are looking for, the Staybridge is a great central location for it all.

All of this for only $110 per night.  Amazing.

For the best prices no matter when you travel, go directly to the Staybridge Suites Myrtle Beach website.  I looked in 5 different places, but the hotel's website beat them all.  Plus they offer a lowest price guarantee.  If you find a better price on their hotel on another website, they will match it. 

Be sure to look under Special Offers for deals.  And, remember to check the government discount if it applies to you, (available to all military members and their spouses, as well as government employees), that is generally going to be your best price.

You can also call the hotel's reservations phone line, but when I called I found they had more rooms available on-line than over the phone, and at better prices.



Fun for Kids at Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach photo gallery 

Free 2009 Myrtle Beach Visitors Guide  

Myrtle Beach Tourism Bureau website

Receive email information and discount information from Myrtle Beach Tourist Bureau 

Would you like to reprint this article?

 Please be our guest as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.