Good day everyone – welcome to Papa’s World – no politics – only fun – family – friends and good thoughts!
“I ordered a new rug for the lanai,” said my wife!
You see – we just had it inclosed as you can see in my previous blogs.
And – true to our concept of BEACH THEME – she nailed it!
It is so bright and fun to be in and sit looking out at the green yard and palm tree and treeline!
Looking at the lawn – solo fire pit and the new palm tree – one of two and the protected forest behind us.
So now with the new rug, we decided to move the waterproof mat outside on the open patio!
For the time being, it will be out here – and will be centered – our thoughts are to buy some used wicker chairs – paint them a bright color and make a little sitting area along with the two high seats for the solo stove and have room for guests to visit!
View from the fire solo stove back to the lanai and rocks instead of mulch.
We are slowly getting it all in place – landscaping and such.
We are holding off on painting inside until after the one-year warranty.
Now we are experimenting with flowers and how they react to the warm summer weather.
The lawn is looking really good as I have fertilized it myself.
When we sold the last home – we sold all my outdoor lawn devices –
keeping a few to trim trees and bushes.
Shovel to dig with and a couple rakes.
Lawnmowing we have hired done every 14 or 15 days.
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East end of Ocean Isle Beach and the project “The Terminal Groin”
For the past twenty-plus years – the beach here has eroded away – taking with it the ends of first and second streets. Third street and fourth street were in danger as the waves came up and under some of the houses. They started building the break wall that extends some 900 feet straight out and into the ocean, and then a right turn and a short distance – the boulders are huge granite – three boulders to a forty-foot long trailer bed – hauled in by the truckloads.
All the beach you now see in this picture is being pumped in from the dredging of the channel behind the groin – which they do anyways to keep the channel clear for boats.
The water came up to the huge sandbags to under the pilings of these houses.
The “GROIN” will continue until late April when it will be completed. Here you see the pipes blowing out sand to form the new beach.
Large bulldozers spread the sand out and the next picture shows how deep the sand is.
The beach access after some sand addition – the last storm – water came under the steps to the sandbags and over them.
A look West along the new beach – graded – the sandbags were put in place to help keep the water back.
Sherry walking in OIB.
I will continue with the next blog on The TERMINAL GROIN PROJECT”
Just a little over a month later from our New Years Eve beach gathering and toast to 2021
We once again were back to see the sunset – only it was windy and cold –
far from the 65 degrees of NYE!
The approaching sunset peeking through the trees!
Papa – Diane and Sherry
We first parked and walked to the end of the street – here the last of the end of the houses –
and this then begins Bird Island – marshland protected and wide-open beach.
Our neighbor Diane
The tide was going out!
Here you see the last of the houses on the marsh and bayside – with the tide going out – This is the end of Sunset Beach and the beginning of Bird Island.
Sun setting – time to go to the beach.
This is where we gathered for NYE and drank a toast to 2021!
The pier and people walking the beach.
Sherry – braving the wind chill – it was cold.
As we looked out on the ocean – to think we can do this every night if we want to –
and there still is Ocean Isle Beach – living our dream.
One final look before we returned home – Sunset at SUNSET BEACH, N.C.
The streets on cul-de-sacs – palm trees and each house have a small little cottage over the golf cart garage!
The streets are two-way – most of them – through the housing – the houses are a mixture of cape-cod and craftsman style. Two stories and little cottages in the front. Most have elevated views of the ocean and many are beachfront.
The ladies – Diane and Sherry – explore the path to the beach and water.
While Steve goes over the map – get a map or you end up in dead ends!
We had the car for about five hours – and also a map to get around. Here we can see where we want to go – but it is on the other side of the channel – we had to retrace our way back to the main road.
The island has a main road that goes all the way around – and many roads into neighborhoods!
They can be dead ends or through a maze of roads cut through to the other side.
So it is best to have the map.
There also is a 18 hole golf course here – we caught glimpses of it through the trees.
One of the many beach access with a place to park the golf cart!
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Diane and Sherry walking from the beach access to the beach and ocean.
TOURING BALD HEAD ISLAND BY GOLF CART – to be continued in the next PAPA’S WORLD BLOG!
Sitting in our lanai – we decided it was time to take a break from unpacking and enjoy our first walk on the new beach!
Papa walking the surf line – the water was warm! Made me want to have my suit on and wade in!The beach here is not as level as NMB or as wide and the waves on this side of the pier – are rougher!
This is the view looking North after you enter the beach by the community center where the showers and bathrooms are – a large volleyball net is here as well as a very long walkway and deck system.
dThe beach also is not as crowed as back in NMB!
This is more of a resident area beach!
Looking South toward the pier – we walked down there to the other side and it was not as rough or the waves as big!
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Sherry – always drawn to the waters edge – wading – it was really warm – both in and out of the water!
And the bonus – during our three mile plus walk everyday
half of that walk is on the beach!
Of course said walk comes after my morning cup of coffee!
Why for five months?
Because we do not know where we want to live
only that it will fall someplace
from here to the northern border of N.C.
We have always talked of this
But where ever we go – the criteria is twofold
We will try to stay within 7 hours of our families
in NVA.
And a place that is warm – no snow – and lots of golf!
We did not know at the time just how much Sherry would come to love this place!
Being here – it is warmer than where we lived in the winter
and we walk everyday –
hardly any traffic as we walk within a gated community –
until we cross a road to the beach.
And then after a 1/2 mile walk – we have this!
I LISTEN TO HER THOUGHTS!
She has leaned over to me and said
” I REALLY LOVE THIS WALK AND PLACE”!
A QUIET PLACE TO WORK ON HER PHONE!TOES IN THE SAND for me!WE HAVE SAVED – we have worked all our lives.We have found our quiet place – our love – and a place for family to enjoy.
We are close to the over seven hours for our trip back to NVA!
The small building to the right is golf cart storage and a trash compactor building – the one to the left is for golf carts only. You are on a list here for golf cart spaces – that is the only way to get a spot to park it.
Sherry walking by one of Six Pools just like this one – the two on the main road through Ocean Keyes – have a community building – with TV – pool table – ping pong table and chairs and tables. This one has the work out room with all types of equipment. Each pool has a hot tub and a small wading pool. There are propane grills and picnic tables outside and each pool has men and women bathrooms.
The complex has over 780 individual condo units and town houses – this at one time a golf course called The Old Gator Hole! I think in the mid 2000’s it was sold and made into Ocean Keyes plus two other developments including a plaza with Walmart and Home depot.
Her on the left is one of two trash compactors we use – this one also has recycle bins while the other does not.
On our walk we pass the tennis courts and pickle ball court where we have played pickle ball with friends.
To be continued in my next blog – part three of walking back from the beach in Ocean Keyes!
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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
As we leave the beach entrance we use almost every day – and walk back to the condo – a two block walk to the gate.
This is the property just before we enter the gate at Ocean Keyes – We love this house and grounds!
This is along the sidewalk outside the fenced in yard – almost everything here comes back every year!
They have irrigation out here as well in the enclosed yard. It is shaded by Cypress trees –
and it is a inkling to what is inside the fence!
As soon as you walk through the gate – you see these three white ducks!
I have given them the names of HUEY – DEWEY and LOUIE ! LOL
Sherry – who is a CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH – will run ahead of me – then turn around and come back – to get her heart rate up – but I think she sees this sign and off she goes! LOL
I have to keep up or the sign in RED is for me!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – the next blog will continue the walk back through Ocean Keyes!
The next morning we walked the beach after the storm and then decided to go back to the condo and pack up the chairs – some drinks and food – music and relax on the beach – RETIREMENT!!!!!!
The beach was not crowded at all being early in the week.
We choose our spot and set up the chairs – took a little walk to test out the water –
But – on either side of us – people had music – loud enough that it interfered with what I had –
So – I just put mine away and listened to theirs – two different types! LOL
Watching them para-glide right off shore – four boats out there – two up by us and two farther south.
We could watch then load and unload the people – hardly stopping – and the crowd on the beach was picking up!
After a night before with thunder and lightening storms with high winds –
this day was calm – sunny – blue skies with white clouds!
Cleared my mind and was a relaxing mid afternoon!
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Next to last day – Papa Bob Pam Sherry – near their campground and RV. A visit to Apache Pier!
We had so much to pack in so little time – touring – seeing the house – Mother’s day – catching up – FRIENDS!
Their RV and campground was down the beach about a mile and one half.
They could see this pier from their beach so we decided to drive to it and just take a look around.
Just beyond these tall buildings – 21 to 25 years ago – Sherry and I spent I think three different vacations here!
We would walk up the beach and past this pier to the campground.
So we knew what was here and have many fond memories of her parents – sister and my sister and brother in law here. We also spent vacation time here with friends Steve and Elaine. Our friends from back home in WNY!
Bob and Pam – Bob and I went to grade school – middle school and high school together – life long friends – and got back in touch after one of our H.S. reunions – he had moved to New Hampshire away from Pa. and NYS. Keeping in touch is like normal best buddies do when life comes along – only seeing them at special times – a lot of years in between but memories and laughs renewed!
Here we are at The Crooked Hammock Brewery in Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach.
We have come to really like this place and Sherry actually likes some of the beer!
Toasting to MOTHER’S DAY with good friends – Bob and Pam and Sherry! CHEERS!
We had planed this little get together for some time now.
They had been in Florida for the winter in their RV.
Moving around down there and then working their way back North.
They were in a campground eight miles from the condo’
So for three whole days – we gave them a tour – but the first day was Mother’s Day.
After their arrival we went down and joined them – sitting around – talking – and we stopped and brought them salads.
Then it was for a very quick walk on the beach where they were camping!
It was so WINDY – we took this picture and headed back to the campsite.
A lot of self control in not staying on the beach for a walk! LOLThe next day we picked them up – toured our new home and discovered the drywall had been installed!
Here – we are at Oyster Rock on the ICW in Calabash N.C. where we had reservations for dinner.
A walk along the boardwalk outside of Oyster Rock – here is where the fishing boats return with their catches!Charter and fishing boats – they provide fresh catch for these places – including Oyster Rock – on their menus.Fresh catch – Flounder – broiled!Fresh catch – Mahi-Mahi! Catch of the day!And of course – down here – HUSH PUPPIES!Pam Sherry Papa Bob – a wonderful Mother’s day dinner with good friends!
At Oyster Rock in Calabash N.C. on the ICW!
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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog MY EMAIL: fitztdf@aol.com
After dinner – we decided to drive to the beach – get out our chairs and just take it all in for a hour!
Sherry is always drawn to the surf – walking in the water – still too cold for me! LOL
The only downside to this was the wind – it was strong – and would get into your eyes!
Hardly anyone down here even though it was the mid ’70’s out!
We only brought with us our water – and a lot of people walked past us – but only a few sitting on the sand.
The relaxing nature – the quiet – only birds – sounds of the waves.
Here you can see what the wind does when it is strong and blowing – it makes the sand look like waves – no footprints remain even though people are walking by!
It was a good hour to visit regardless of the wind!
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The sun peaking above the tree line – this is in the direction of Cherry Grove – North Myrtle Beach is too the right – beyond that tree live is Ocean Blvd and then the beach.
It was a warm morning – 73 degrees – and Sherry had said she wanted to walk early!
The view here is like this every morning when there are no clouds!
It is one half mile to the gated entrance on Hillside drive.
We walk this almost every day – and then turn left and walk up two blocks to 8th. street.
Turn right and walk one block to Ocean Blvd. – cross the street –
and walk into the parking lot – we like this lot – it has a bathroom – and a shower to wash the sand off!
It also has a boardwalk from the parking lot – to a deck and then steps right onto the beach!
In . 66 of a mile – we are standing on the beach!
Here I am standing on the deck before the steps to the beach!
Early morning sunrise – ten minute walk from our condo.
We will miss this but in thirty minutes from our new home – we can be back here!
Sherry at the deck at the end of the ramp to the beach on 8th avenue – North Myrtle Beach!
We begin our walk North toward the Cherry Grove Pier – beautiful day – sun shine on the water.
Sherry walking on the surf edge – actually the water felt somewhat warm on the feet!
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A walk on the beach in the early morning –
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Back to where it all began with a early morning sunrise!
On October 1st. 2020 – this became our new home for nine months!
We had no idea we would end up in North Myrtle Neach.
My friend would ask me WHY we choose there?
Well – the best answer I can give is I came across this condo –
on a site that listed houses and condos for sale!
I expanded the search area and this picture or one like it – came into view!
I showed it to Sherry and we decided right there and then we would rent it!
First – for three months – then we extended it to five months –
all because we looked and looked and decided it was just as good to build –
as it was to buy! We could have what we wanted and not upgrade someone’s home!
So – we made our choice in Cameron Woods – across the border into N.C.
It would be a brand new build and we set about making our selections –
and at that time we extended our lease until the end of June!
Which would be a total of nine months!
We tried very hard to stay in this area – but cost and being too close to the Ocean
played a big part in where we ended up!
We are with in four miles to a beach and six miles to another beach!
We can drive one half hour back here to North Myrtle Beach.
We are in a new development – and right in the middle of a dozen golf courses!
We are in the country but a mile and one half to a gas station and a couple miles to a Publix!
In November we signed our contract and made all our selections.
We are on schedule for a early June closing!
We will walk a beach everyday – which has been our dream – we have a community of neighbors we have already met.
Our new home – roof done – siding almost done – stacked stone done – doors and windows – done – plumbing done – electrical done – insulation done – dry wall to start and by the time this is published – will be done – as will most of the inside – outside trim – almost done – utilities – connected – we are almost there!
I 