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.

Island Hopping

Bald Head Island is a somewhat small, remote village located on the east side of Cape Fear in Brunswick County, North Carolina on an island of the same name. Only accessible by ferry from the town of Southport - cars are not allowed, instead residents drive modified golf carts - max. speed limit 18 mph - how refreshing. There are 14 miles of pristine ocean beaches, 10,000 acres of protected salt marsh and tidal creeks, and a vast maritime forest preserve.
Generous friends who own a beautiful condo on the island surprised us with the offer of spending next week there! Come Sat. morning DH and I will be heading to the coast - laden with books & mags. to read on the screened porch. Flip flops, shorts and sun hats packed - some food and our favorite wines ready to go. North Carolina seashore, we'll soon be on our way.

This is Old Baldy lighthouse on the island. Built in 1817 it's the oldest lighthouse still standing in North Carolina but is non-working now. We have visited before and climbed to the top for the great island and ocean views. A small museum at the base supplies an audio tour of the island - that will be something DH will enjoy................he loves history. However.........he dislikes being in one place for long and I will be holding him captive on a tiny island for an entire week - will let you know how that goes!!

The more modern development on the island consists of mostly very expensive retirement and vacation homes - a recent sale recorded a selling price of just under $4M - wow, will have to check out that one! As the village has a total area of just 5.8 square miles you can imagine the price of a lot.

One grocery store, two restaurants - that's about all folks...........................so it will be a week of relaxation, listening to music, reading, some art projects and letter writing, walking the beaches and soaking my feet in the surf, taking photographs, and of course drinking good that wine while viewing the ocean sunsets. I think I can manage all that.

Hope each of you get to paddle in the ocean, Atlantic or Pacific, this Summer!

Vancouver, British Columbia

This is a postcard view looking over the center city toward West Vancouver, the snow capped peaks of the Coast Range to the West and the Cascades to the East. It's quite true what they say about this beautiful area, you can enjoy water sports in the morning and be skiing in the afternoon!

My photos taken from the summit of Grouse Mountain (4100') overlooking the city - a majestic sight and probably one of the most spectacular city views anywhere..............without having to take a helicopter ride. The cable car ride to the mountain top is well worth the time and cost - awesome views across the river and forests as well as the city - and, as stated in the literature " you stand on the edge between city and wilderness".

Yes, even in mid-June there was still snow and it was cool at the summit - Jasmin did her best to pelt us with a couple of snowballs.

Another not to be missed adventure while in this area is the Capilano Suspension Bridge . The Treetops Adventure is beyond the swinging bridge crossing - you are actually walking in the huge Douglas firs and other gigantic tree tops, looking down at creeks and fern gardens so green and lush.




Nothing more fun than playing in the trees!







Vancouver's outdoor adventures are many and water plays a big part - don't miss the Sea Bus rides from downtown across to Lonsdale Quay with sea planes zooming back and forth overhead. From the Quay the view back to the city center is great. And.................following all that hunger induced sightseeing, head over to what I think is the best market ever on Granville Island under the bridge. On all my trips I've still only had time for the Public Market section...........where the foods are of course! The entire market is huge and includes hundreds of shops, restaurants, galleries, maritime stores, theatre companies, and even a kids' market area.Such yummy baked goods. Top right - the feta cheese and spinach scones, just baked, were my lunch choice, best scone ever. Artisan breads were breathtaking - don't you just love really good bread?
......................coming soon, more healthy food photos!!

Canada's Gulf Islands and Point Roberts WA

The ferry terminal's best kept secret - a cheese shop. Only a world class cheese lover (and that's me) would shop for beautiful goat cheese prior to boarding the boat from Vancouver Island to the British Columbia mainland.......... headed for a city and a hotel room without a 'frig. The goat cheese lady said it would be OK not refrigerated for 2 days - and I know they don't chill their gorgeous cheeses in France - so, after sampling all of them, I took a chance and grabbed the mushroom and truffle oil on the far left, heavenly! These stunning cheeses were handmade on Whidbey Island, WA

The B.C. ferries are spacious, comfortable and serve a great breakfast on board. The early morning sail through the Strait of Georgia and the Gulf Islands was spectacular. My dream is to return soon, tour the West coast of Vancouver Island, visit the Pacific Rim National Park, then have several days in these smaller islands, staying in B&B's, enjoying walking, whale watching, and sunsets while sipping a great glass of wine.

It doesn't get more perfect than this!

Trivia question...............what's odd about the town of Point Roberts Washington? If you have time, go here and read the interesting story about this tiny piece of America that you can only access by crossing the border from Canada. Beautiful views across the water to Vancouver Island. Except for the gentle lapping of the tide and an occasional bird call, almost complete silence here on the driftwood covered beach. Worth the short detour (and having to pull out the passports yet again) after we left the ferry and headed to the great city of Vancouver.

We loved taking a break on this quiet beach - all seemed good in the world!

.........................tomorrow, Vancouver, Canada's great Western city.