Name of Blog

Author :Debbie and Mike Whitt in Chasing Adventure- Coast to Coast

My wife Deb and I departed our home in Florida headed to the Sexton Dental Clinic in Florence, South Carolina on April 8, 2016. According to our dentist in Florida, I needed extensive dental work that would cost approximately $23K! No, that is not a “TYPO” the clinic in Florida stated it would cost $23,000! After reading several articles on how RV’s would take a side trip to a Dental Clinic in Mexico where receiving dental care is drastically reduced in comparison to US prices, I decided to try the clinic in Florence.

On our way out of Florida, we decided to stop at St Simons Island, Georgia for one night. We chose to stay at the Coastal Georgia RV Park. The park is located just off of I-95 and is an absolutely beautiful RV Park. After setting up our RV, feeding our two dachshunds we headed out to hopefully find wonderful seafood on St Simons Island. We scored a great find, the Half Shell at the pier. The oysters were outstanding and went well with a dish of pasta and seafood. The word delicious does not adequately describe the complete meal.

Afterwards we enjoyed a walk on the pier, where we met “George” the pelican. Seems “George” is a well-known beggar and refuses to be ignored. Several people fishing on the pier provided “George” with a sampling of their catch. A few photo’s later and we headed back to our RV. Visiting St Simons Island has been on our list each time we drive the I-95 route, however, we have never taken the time to stop and explore. It is a fantastic stop for a day or two. Jekyll Island is in close proximity, however, we did not take the time to go and explore. Perhaps next time!

The next morning found us moving on to Florence. We wanted to find an RV Park as close as possible to the Dental Clinic so my wife could pop back to the RV and check on our dogs while I was receiving dental work. We ended up staying at the Florence RV Park. The park itself is a small, country type RV park. People are friendly, spaces are a nice size, and the management bends over backwards to insure you are satisfied with their park. We would stay there again if needed.

On to the dental clinic! The only problem with the clinic in Florence is that they do not take appointments! However, if you are going to be sedated during the procedure then you have to make an appointment. I elected the sedation! Appointment time was for 6am on a Monday. It was going to be a long day. Fifteen minutes into the appointment the Doctor came in and stated that I was not going to like him! Now, you must get in the right frame of mind to understand that statement. I came into the clinic fully prepared to suffer thru the entire day to have the work completed. He then goes on to say the dentist in Florida was wrong, that I needed one cavity fixed and to continue to do whatever I normally due to care for my teeth. In the time frame of thirty minutes, I was x-rayed, checked and released and paid a mere $75 for the x-rays and exam. Seems a lot better that $23,000!

Arriving back at our RV by 7:30am, we looked at one another and asked each other what to do now. Just so happens we have wanted to check out the RV Resorts in Myrtle Beach (Merrill’s Inlet), SC. After checking MobileRVing.com, our GPS, Good Sam listings, KOA and others, we chose to go to the Pirateland Family Camping Resort. The campground is the usual tourist campground, yet a great place for families with children as it is right on the beach. As it was considered “Off-Season”, we practically had a choice of any spot we desired, although there were many others in the camp. It is a very large camp with many types of spaces available. We chose a space just over the dunes from the beach, with a concrete pad and a covered picnic table for each site. Very nice, very friendly, and although we will definitely go back to Myrtle Beach, we will probably pick a campground that is not so busy and perhaps a little smaller.

As luck would have it, we also have several friends in the area who worked with my wife when we lived in Virginia. We had a great reunion that evening with an old friend and enjoyed more seafood. We would like to return, perhaps in June, and gather all our friends together for a crab feast and low country boil in the RV Campground. Upon departing Myrtle Beach, we headed down US-17. Between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, US-17 is a divided highway and a relaxing drive.

Our next destination was back to St Simons Island and perhaps Jekyll Island. We called ahead and made a reservation at the Coastal Georgia RV Park. We arrived early, perhaps around 3pm, as I was setting up the RV, I inadvertently turned to walk towards the sewer hook-up for the RV and walked right into the corner of the slide-out. Ouch, is not the word. I hit it so hard that I cut a gash big enough to require six stitches, meaning a two hour wait in a local emergency care unit. The old saying that all’s well that an end well, is so true. We left the emergency care facility and headed to St Simons Island. As it was getting late, we decided to return to the same restaurant we had previously visited. Once again, the day was finished off with a great meal, a few drinks and a beautiful walk on the pier.

Related Read: Medical Emergencies while Camping – Are You Prepared?

The rest of the trip was uneventful. For those who are not yet able to get out and RV, for those who are dreaming of a future trip, I encourage you to take time to stop and explore, take time to take in the smells and scenes, and if you are with the one who holds your heart, take time to enjoy it all with her. Don’t let bumps in the road put you off! Don’t let a visit to an emergency care put you off! Go, and enjoy your time together. Until the next posting, may your dreams of RV travel be recognized, and may the Lord keep you safe in your travels.