Myrtle Beach

View from the hotel.

With all of the travels that we do, we had not taken a family vacation this summer. I figured that we would wait until sometime in September to go, but Allen mentioned going to Myrtle Beach for Labor Day weekend. Myrtle Beach is a place that I had been interested in going because there is a Marriott on the beach. Of course, I wanted to use points for the stay and figured there would be no shot on Labor Day weekend. We were able to get a room at the Marriott Grand Dunes, so we were on our way.

We arrived in the Myrtle Beach area on Friday morning. Since it was not time to check in, we stopped by one of the public beach accesses to see what the Atlantic was like after Hurricane Earl passed offshore. Allen and I couldn't tell any difference in the ocean from when we were up at Kill Devil Hills in June. It seemed like the water was more rough on Monday than any other day.

Next stop was Broadway at the Beach for lunch and a round of putt putt. Broadway at the Beach is one of the main entertainment areas in Myrtle Beach. It has a Rippley's Aquarium, a movie theater, an IMAX, kiddie rides and a long list of activities. For lunch, we decided to eat at Senor Frog's, which had live music. The food was between average and good, but overpriced, which you expected. Next time, I think I would go to Margaritaville and try out the nachos I saw when we ate at the one in Glendale, AZ.

Two of the swimming pools at the Marriott Grand Dunes.

Friday afternoon, we checked into the Marriott Grand Dunes. I loved the location, pools and the dining, while AW loved the water slide. The rooms could use updating and had a musty smell, but nothing that would keep me from going back again.

For the rest of the trip, except for outlet shopping on Sunday, we hung around the hotel. AW did get us away Saturday afternoon for another round of putt putt, but with everything at the hotel, we didn't need to go anywhere else. The next time we go back, I would like to go to theMyrtle Beach Boardwalk. There are so many activities we missed, but then again, how can you go wrong with a beach and a pool?

My favorite place to stay in the DC area

Over the last three years, we have traveled a lot to DC with Allen when he is working up there. We've never stayed in DC on our trips because it's a lot easier for Allen to get to work from Arlington. We have been staying in the Crystal City/Pentagon City area of Arlington because I like to be within walking distance of a Metro Station.

In the Crystal City/Pentagon City area, we have stay at three different hotels with the Marriott chain; Residence Inn Pentagon City, Crystal City Marriott and the Gateway Crystal City Marriott. The Residence Inn Pentagon City is within walking distance of both the Pentagon City and Pentagon Metro Stations. With the Residence Inn, you have a kitchen area and more room than a normal hotel room, which makes long stays nice. Also, the Residence Inn includes a breakfast buffet, but it can be very crowded in the mornings. During the off-season, you can get at the full service Marriott for cheaper than to stay at the Residence Inn.

The Crystal City Marriott has the same advantages as the Crystal Gateway Marriott because you do not have to go outside to walk to the Crystal City Metro Station, which is great on a rainy day. When it is raining, you can ride the Metro over to Pentagon City Mall or to Union Station for some shopping without getting wet. Along with having a number of fast-food or sit down restaurants within walking distance, you are not dependent on eating at the hotels. The Crystal City Marriott is smaller and is less crowded than the Gateway, but I'll admit, I love the Gateway. The staff there, even though they are often busy with meetings and conventions, has treated us very well. In the last year, we have stayed there enough that several of the staff calls A by name. A loves the indoor/outdoor pool.

All three hotels are about a 10 minute Metro ride to the National Mall. We normally use the Yellow Line to either L'Enfant Plaza or Archives/Navy Memorial. I would rather do a little extra walking instead of trying to change to the Blue Line to go to the Smithsonian station. Plus, during prime tourist season, you want to avoid the Smithsonian station because of the crowds.

Each of the hotels are great options. What it may come down to in choosing one is which fits your needs and budget the best.

Heading up to Indy

Sam Hornish Jr's 77 showcar in the lobby of our hotel.

Since AW went for the week to visit family, I wondered where the NASCAR race was being held for the week. When I learned it was going to be in Indianapolis, I started looking at distance and whether or not we could stay on Allen's Marriott points. The next challenge was if Allen would be up for the trip because he would have to take a redeye back from Arizona for it to work out. Once he gave the go ahead, I booked us at the downtown Marriott and we were on our way.

When we arrived at the hotel, it was buzzing with a reception for the Mobile One sponsors. Sam Hornish Jr's 77 showcar was sitting in the lobby when we walked in. We went up to our room that overlooked the state capitol so Allen could get a power nap before dinner.

Looking out our hotel window at the Indiana State Capitol.

About 7:00 pm, we decided it was time to get something to eat. Within walking distance of the Marriott, there was every type of food that you would want. We had problems in making up our mind, until we saw St. Elmo steakhouse. They happen to have a reservation at 8:30, so we took the t-shirts that we bought at the Hard Rock Cafe back to the room and hung out at the hotel until time. I am so glad that we waited, it was one of the best steaks that I have ever eaten. I had the NY Strip cooked medium, while Allen had their Filet Mignon. Allen would have been better off getting his cooked medium rare because medium on his filet was a little more done than he usually likes, but both of us were happy with our food. The Shrimp cocktail was very good as well and was the perfect size for us to share.

With us having to get up early for the race, we called it an evening and headed to bed. It would have been nice to have caught they baseball game that the Indianapolis Indians (The Pittsburg Triple A team) was playing, but Allen was wiped out from the redeye flight.

The race took up our day on Sunday, so after we returned to the hotel, we shared nachos down in Champions sports bar and grill in the Marriott. We had already had a snack in the concierge lounge and didn't feel like doing anymore walking. The food was reasonable for being in the hotel and was also tasty.

Indianapolis is a place I would like to go back with AW. It has one of the World's largest Children's Musuems, plus the Indianapolis Zoo. I want to check out the NCAA Hall of Fame, which was a couple of blocks from the hotel, while Allen wants to go see the Musuem out at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hopefully, we'll be able to go back in a few months and check out the other sites.