Pleasures of Beach Living

If you really want to get away from it all, Bald Head Island, North Carolina is a great place to go. There are numerous places to rent from refurbished small historic cottages, once the homes of the lighthouse keepers and their families, to huge multimillion dollar houses perched at the edge of the dunes and beach, perfect for watching pelicans dive for their dinner.

Along the salt marsh are condominiums with spectacular sunrise views. So many interesting birds including Painted Buntings who come to feeders along with Cardinals and Cowbirds, and swooping quietly and gracefully across the core grass, white Ibis and Egrets, as well as Herons and gulls of all kinds.Below, the lighthouse keepers cottages complete with porch rockers - bring your chilled beverage of choice, watch the sun go down, then head quietly for the beach to watch the Loggerhead turtles hatch and make their way to the sea.

Stately homes of huge proportions right on the beach.


Theodosia's B&B, below, is situated on the marina. A ghost story is part of this establishment's charm. Theodosia Alston, wife of the Governor of South Carolina, on her way to visit her father in New York, disappeared from the ship The Patriot in 1813 after it was attacked by pirates. She is said to be often seen in a long flowing dress wandering the island.

At the end of a perfect Summer's day ~ supper on the beach................ .......................waiting for that spectacular sunset.

No man is an island...........no woman either

Bald Head Island is the southernmost North Carolina barrier island and classified as tropical. These palm trees and the torrid heat of the day reinforced this, however it wasn't humid and no hurricanes caused us to evacuate the island.................it was in fact a perfect week with just a shower our first evening.

Beginning of another day - sunrise over the salt marsh from the screened porch.

The marina with the ferry arriving taken from our golf cart - no cars permitted on the island.

Old Baldy - that landmark lighthouse again.Well wouldn't you know it - my favorite spot was right in this little sand chair plonked in the Atlantic Ocean early in the day before the heat became too hot! We walked and swam at 9 a.m. - but not too avoid the crowds, there never were any. 5.8 square miles, 180 permanent residents, a couple of thousand visitors, plenty of room for all on those 14 miles of beautiful sand beaches.The exquisite island chapel in the Maritime Forest - a popular spot for island weddings.
The island library - leave a book, take a book - the cutest place for discovering Summer reading.
Traditional Pawley's Island hammock - whelk shells - pedicure showing the ravages of the Atlantic water and sand - and a fascinating book set in England which gets inside the mind of an mentally ill woman, from her disturbing childhood to old age as a homeless person ~ a real page turner.

One of my deck visitors - green and gorgeous. Cooling off time in the condo - started an island journal and made a few cards to mail to friends.


The condominiums where we stayed - looking out over the wonderful salt marsh and creek - marina in the distance - just 5 mins. in the golf cart.

The huge white heron visited each day at low tide and waited patiently in the same spot for his meal. The marina - playground of the rich and perhaps famous.
White ibis silhouetted along the creek.
A spot to relax overlooking the Cape Fear River on the western side of the island.The evening passenger ferry leaving for the mainland - a 20 minute trip.Sunset - the perfect ending to a perfect day.More tomorrow....................some island cottages.

More Memories - South of France 2006

Just back from the coast and will soon have pics to show of that peaceful, beautiful island. Meanwhile, have been thinking about France again after chatting with my family there - here are a few more pics from last year's visit with Granddaughter Jasmin.

Beautiful fields of sunflowers, faces always pointing toward the sun, stretching for miles across the Summer countryside of Provence.

Family gathering on the Canal du Midi on a perfect June day - granddaughter, niece, sister-in-law, DH and moi - brother taking the picture! Daytrippers and canal boat vacationers enjoy a cool breeze, stopping to pick up fresh provisions and local wines along the waterway.

Visiting the stunning ancient hilltop "village perche" Les Baux de Provence.

Decisions, decisions, what shall I buy for my "souvenir de Provence"

Later, passing through the small villages it was obviously a brilliant day for drying - let's wash "les jeans".

The national music fair of France - Fete de la Musique held in every village, town and city throughout France on June 17 - so much fun. We listened to cabaret style singing here in Bize in the afternoon - more singing and African drumming by the light of a huge bonfire late into the night in Peyriac.
A tiny bakery just beyond the walls of the old city of Carcassonne -the best "straight out of the oven" baguettes for lunch.

Then a quick stop at the olive mill where the choice was amazing!
Wonderful memories of a beautiful place................must return soon.

Inspiration Friday - The Letter

There it was, tucked in between a few bills, some junk mail, and the latest LL Bean catalog - the awaited with anticipation notecard from our ten year old granddaughter. She left for Summer camp the week before saying we were on her list and that she'd write and tell us all about the experience. Of course she came home before the note - explanation being they were so busy and having so much fun she didn't mail her cards until the very last day. That's fine, just glad camp was fun. Teaching children to hand write Birthday cards, "thank you" and "thinking of you" notes is still so important in this day of e-mail and text messaging. Nothing beats opening the mailbox and seeing a handwritten envelope knowing something special is inside - my heart gets all a flutter!!

Of course it was Grandma, who sat her down and had her address her envelopes before leaving for camp................after all that's just another little extra special thing Grandmas do!!

........................hope you are inspired to hand write a card, a note or a letter to someone special this weekend. I'll be writing mine from the coast - have packed my little art box and will embellish my page with some tiny sketches of the ocean, seabirds, and shells perhaps.

Enjoy your Summer weekend.