I know how it is...you drive all night (or all day), and you finally arrive. You can't wait to get to the beach and soak in some rays. As a child, my family vacationed at Myrtle Beach every year that I can remember, and then when I was married and had my kids, we also headed to Myrtle Beach. Twenty years ago, I moved here. Although many things changed over the years, some things remain the same -- mainly our time on the sand at the water's edge.

Over the years, we learned that the small things can make a big difference in whether or not you have comfortable and safe vacation. Here's a list that I have made for you:

• Good sun screen. I've spent a few vacations where either me or a family member only had one good day out in the sun and the rest of the time had to be spent indoors because of the severe sunburn. It was absolutely miserable and actually took weeks to get back to normal. Use at least SPF 50, but not any higher as experts have indicated that a higher SPF tends to work against you in the long run, because it leaves you feeling like you can stay out in the sun much longer than you should. Apply the sunscreen every two hours because of perspiration and water exposure.
• Take a big blanket to the beach, not just beach towels. That way, you can use the towels for drying off and they won't be full of sand. Otherwise, you'll feel like you're drying off with sandpaper. The blanket also won't tend to blow away as easily as a towel. Set your heavier items on the corners of the blanket to hold it in place.
• Invest in a good beach umbrella. If you buy a cheap one, it won't even last through the week. If you buy a good one, it will last summer after summer. Make sure the little ones in the group have ample time under the umbrella during a hot sunny beach day.
• Keep jugs of water in the car. Just reuse old plastic milk or water jugs, because all you're going to use it for is to rinse off your feet, just before getting in the car. Even if the pier or short boardwalk you use as a beach access has a "rinse station," you can bet the parking lot from there to your car also is full is sand and dirt and you'll be much happier if you can wash you feet off and then immediately get into the car. Especially if you have a car load of kids.
• Binoculars - I don't know about other beaches, but in Myrtle Beach, you can spot dolphins out in the water sometimes. Wouldn't it be great to get a close-up view? There's always some "thing" off in the distance in the water or in the air (parasailers?) that it would be nice to get a better view of. So don't forget those binoculars. They don't have to be expensive, but they'll be a hit, I can assure you.

If you are planning to come to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, be sure to visit Oceanfront Vacation Rentals. They're the folks who have helped me and all my friends and family plan our Myrtle Beach vacations for many years. Tell them I sent you.

Jeanne Kolenda has lived in Myrtle Beach, SC, for 20 years and is a small business coach. She also helps potential visitors plan their perfect beach vacation. You are invited to visit the blog: http://www.bestmyrtlebeachvacationrentals.com for more information on making your beach vacation perfect.

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