The Clover Visitor Center

1035 Fort Hill Trail

Randolph, VA, 23962

The Roanoke Station Visitor Center

6000 Roanoke Station Road

Randolph, VA 23962

The Battlefield Trail

This trail is 1.24 miles one way, so if you park and walk to one end and back, that will be about 2.5 miles. The trail is even and flat, and most of it is gravel or hard surface. Great for beginners or those who want to ride their bikes or scooters. This trail crosses three trestles and one still has the iron girders. Here are some pictures from our trip.

The Roanoke Creek Trail

This trail is off the Battlefield Trail and runs through the woods into a field. The field is mowed and the trail is easy to follow. The trail runs to where the Staunton River and Roanoke Creek meet and then loops back around the far side of the field.

We walked to where the rivers meet and sat on the provided bench to rest a few minutes and eat a light snack.

The Earthworks Fortification Trail

This was fascinating to me to see these fortifications that are well-preserved. The trail goes around the earthworks and there is one that goes through the middle, but do not climb on the earthworks.

The Edgewood Nature Trail

This is located behind the Clover Visitor Center and is about 3/4 mile long. There is a short pier over the water at the bottom of the step to sit and observe the wildlife. We were there about an hour before dark and it was great to just be silent and listen. They also have a mounted binocular there to see what is far away.

Mulberry Hill Plantation

This is a short drive from the park and it is currently closed. We did stop and stand at the gate and tooks some pictures.

The Clover Visitor Center

Worth stopping in and checking out the displays and talk to the Rangers and get a history lesson.

MYRTLE BEACH TRAVEL PARK

Day 1

We arrived at the park at 4pm and checked in. The staff were friendly and helpful and gave us clear directions to our Villa. We unpacked all our gear from the truck and then walked to the beach before cleaning up. We made the bed and hung up our clothes and headed to Aldis to purchase groceries for the week. Once we were back, I made supper and we relaxed and then went to bed.

Day 2

We went to services at Friendship Baptist Church this morning at 11am and was greeted warmly and the pastor remembered our names from our last visit. We were invited to stay for lunch and we did and then the 2nd afternoon service. After service we went back to the Villa and just relaxed for the rest of the day.

Day 3

We went to Calabash NC today to visit the Christmas store there. It is a wonderful Christmas store and we will revisit if in the area again. There was also an antique/consignment store on 17 call The Country Rooster. We enjoyed shopping this store and highly recommend you give it a visit. We went back to the Villa and after a nap and dinner, we attended the Monday night revival service at Friendship Baptist Church.

Day 4

This morning we decided to walk the beach after breakfast. We walked for over 2 hours and picked up a grocery back full of shells. The beach was just loaded full of all kinds of shells and we just enjoyed walking and talking with each other.

These are the shower and bath facilities for those who need them in the campground. So far these are the nicest facilities we have ever seen in a campground.

After lunch and a nap, we drove to Surfside and visited the Hammricks store and spent most of the afternoon there. We ate supper at the Pizza Hyena in Surfside on the recommendation of a co-worker. He told the truth, their pizzas are delicious. We had a regular meat pizza and a 'Barnyard' pizza. I really enjoyed the barnyard with the chicken, bacon, spinach and goat cheese. After dinner, we attended the last night of Revival at Friendship Baptist Church. Late that evening my daughter and her family came in and we all went to bed.

Day 5

I got to wake up this morning to this little beauty. She and I played on the iPad for quite a while her mom fixed breakfast this morning. That smile just melts my heart.

After breakfast, we went to Bass Pro Shops and looked around for a while. They have a good variety of things for men, women and kids. They also had Santa's Village open for the kids.

We left Bass Pro and headed to Broadway on the Beach. We looked around there until about 3:30pm.

Our guests took us out for dinner at Chucks Steakhouse in North Myrtle just below Barefoot Landing. This is a local spot that has been in Mrytle Beach since the 70's and it did not disappoint. I had a 16 oz. Prime Rib and it was cooked perfectly and was the most tender and juiciest steak I have ever eaten at a restaurant.

If you are in Myrtle Beach and want a steak, we highly recommend this place. Click HERE for their website.

Day 6 - Thanksgiving Day

After breakfast this morning, we took another walk on the beach. This time headed in the opposite direction, towards the pier. The sky was heavy with rain, but it held off until we got back to the Villa.

The kids met us about halfway, and we got to see our granddaughters first dip in the ocean. Looks like she enjoyed it.

We ate a light lunch and just relaxed and napped during the afternoon.

For Thanksgiving Dinner we had turkey, dressing, sweet potato, green beans, corn and rolls. We had pecan pie for dessert.

The best part of Thanksgiving is having family at the table, and we enjoyed our daughter and her family this year. We were able to FaceTime our son and talk to him and wish him a happy Thanksgiving.

Day 7

We were up early, like most folks, and went shopping. Our favorite place in Myrtle Beach is Tanger Outlet on 17. We shopped there until lunch time and then we drove to Barefoot Landing to meet my Brother-in-Law for lunch at River City Cafe. The best burgers in Myrtle Beach can be found at either of their two locations.

We spent the rest of the day shopping at Barefoot Landing and had a wonderful time.

Before supper, Amy and I headed to the beach for a stroll on the beach. There was not much moonlight because of the cloud cover, but we had a great time just the same.

The kids decided to leave the grand-baby with us and go out to eat. All in all it went well for our first babysitting job, those memories will last forever.

Day 8

Amy and I were up early and took another morning walk on the beach. The sun was up and shining beautifully and we just walked and enjoyed it. When we got back to the Villa, we started packing up our stuff to head home. The kids were finished first and headed out about 9am. We finished about 10am and made one last trip down to the beach.

Met this young lady while making our walk and she asked to have her picture made with me. I really enjoy seeing people smile and just for a few minutes, have a little joy in their life.

We left the campground and headed to Tanger Outlets on 501 for one last shopping trip before heading home. One of our favorite places is the Carolina Pottery store on the backside of the outlets. We headed home and reflected on our week in Myrtle Beach. It was a wonderful time and we can't wait to do it again.

Review of the Villa

Master bedroom

Closet and storage shelves, there is a TV hanging on the wall facing the bed. They have two pillows and a blanket, but you must bring your own linens.

The master bedroom has a queen size bed and it was more comfortable than some hotel beds I have slept in. There is a small night stand on each side with outlets close enough to charge your devices.

This looks out the master bedroom door and down the hall. There is an exit door to the right and the bathroom on the left.

Master bath

As you enter the bathroom there is a nice set of shelves to store towels and such in. NOTE: all the doors are pocket doors.

Single sink with an overhead cabinet, an elongated toilet.

Full size shower with shelves to put soap and toiletries on.

Beside the shower is a storage alcove with coat hooks. We used these for our towels.

Towel bar and trash can in the corner.

Kitchen / Living area

At the end of the hall you enter the living area/kitchen combo and you can see the other bedroom door.

There are coat hooks next to the entry door, a pull-out sofa and an easy chair with end table.

There is a small dinette table with four chairs, just enough room for 4 people.

There is a sink, and small counter top. If there is one thing I did not like about the place, it would be the countertop. There is only room for one person to work and the receptacle were not placed well. Bring a power strip or short extension cord.

You can see the receptacle placements better in this picture. One is directly over the stove and the other is on the far side of the sink. There is plenty of cabinet space though, which is helpful. There is a Keurig coffee maker and an electric toaster in the kitchen. They also had silverware and some cookware.