Sunset beach on the East end opens up to a wide expanse of beach before the channel that separates this beach from Ocean Isle Beach.
It is very wide here and at low tide – you feel you almost could walk across the cove to the other island.
There were only us and a few other people out there this day.
Here are Debby – Sherry, and Ella – a few others were walking – but the gusts of wind made it cold.
Our granddaughter Ella – loves her beach time.
The tidal pools were warm – the air cold and the wind gusting – but the sun was warm – which made it bearable to spend an hour or so exploring this part of the beach.
If ever on Sunset Beach – go to the East end and explore – this must be what it was like hundreds of years ago!
Wide-open and almost deserted beach – tide going out and exposing even more beach.
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”
Living in Ocean Isle Beach – Cameron Woods – 7 miles to the S.C. border –
the weather is what I like – yes – we have had that rare ice and snow –
but then you get days such as this where it is tee shirt – shorts and sandals!
That is when our resident pond Aligator comes out to the sun itself!
We have a walking trail around this pond and sometimes we see it and other times we do not.
We have seen tons of turtles in here – all types of birds hunting for fish and some have seen otters.
I think there are two gators in here and some babies although I have never seen the little ones or two gators at the same time.
And then it is but a short ten-minute drive to the beach – where the sound of the surf and warm sand entice you to bring a chair and just sit in the warm sunshine!
Tee shirt – shorts and no shoes – toes in the sand – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
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!
When ever we are on the beach – she is drawn to the water – wading – watching the surfers.
The beach draws her – to let off stress and a quiet place to walk – the sounds of the surf – the warm waters.
With friends – out and about – exploring the world with these two – every couple years we plan a break.
Buck and Cindy are our close friends – we moved into a house next to them 36 1/2 years ago –
and had known thenm before that. We get along and enjoy much of the same things.
Cindy is very active as is Sherry – always on the go. They walk together when we are around.
Now – our new home is about 40 minutes away from them.
We try to golf once aweek or go out to a show or dinner.
Family has and always will play a part in our lives. Sherry now is the oldest – and they all look up to her.
Here is Bode in front row with the five grandaughters behind him.
She reminds me so much of her father – tall – slim – smile – always on the go and a born entrepreneur
He always was looking for a way to make money and she has that also.
Not afraid to stand up in front of people and talk.
And they played golf just alike!
I became very good friends with him before he passed away – he told me many things promising I would not repeat them. All had to do with the War and I shall keep that promise I made to him.
I repsected him that much – it was a bonding moment for him and me.
Sitting on the Intercoastal waterway – just her and me – watching the boats and having dinner.
She loves our new area – back in NVA she would take dozens of visitors on tour guides into DC.
She is a leader – a natural born one at that!
And now – our new home – close to the beaches and the ICW – close to golfing and close to friends –
A place for FAMILY to visit and room to have them.
This is her happy place once again – walking – meeting new neighbors –
exploring and in a area that does not have the freezing ice and snow.
The new lanai and her putting her finishing touches on it!
These are but a few of her happy places – places she feels most comfortable in.
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WHEREVFRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS – PAPA’S WORLD – living life!
Ocean Isle Beach – N.C. the first time to walk here after moving in!
The beach is but 4.5 miles away – shorter if you are a crow!
We live in Cameron Woods – part of Ocean Ridge but across the main highway from it.
We are on the mainland – three miles to the causeway over the ICW!
We actually have a choice of two beaches – for Sunset beach is two miles futher in the opposite direction South!
And if we want to travel – we are 16 miles back to North Myrtle Neach where we have lived the past nine months!
The beach here is different – the sand a darker shade – not as flat and the waves seem to be rougher !
The beach also is not as wide as NMB or as many people!
People surf and ride the waves more here.
The water is very warm just like NMB!
And we are finding our way around!
There are music concerts throughout the Summer and into October on Friday nights!
Getting there is a major problem as we tried to attend the free concert and got stuck in a three mile
traffic jam trying to get across the causeway!
So – we truned around and did not go!
We are learning – do not go at the last moment – go early – walk the beach – have dinner and then get the chairs out and pick a space to chill and wait for the music to start!
Both beaches have these concerts on different nights as does NMB!
Right across the street form our home – Ocean Ridge – such beautiful skies here.
Our first beach walk – thank you for reading Papa’s World
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!
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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They have been missing for about five weeks – I would catch a glimpse of them to the left of the lanai
Around the bend and through the shrubs and trees – once in a while
Sometimes I would mistake them for the lone swan –
But then I would see it futher down the lake.
Thought maybe they had a nest and were nesting little ones back in the marsh.
The two mated swans are in the top left of the picture while the lone swan is in the middle right of the picture – the first time I had seen all three in over a month!
But – there were no babies and the geese have tons of babies –
So – I do not know why they disappeared and seemed to glimpse them every once in a while through the trees.
That part of the lake is undeveloped and is marsh – swamp – trees and water – not the type of place you want to wade
through or even boat in there – at least I wouldn’t!
I was disappointed in no baby swans but happy in that the were back!
They still would have nothing to do with the lone swan.
This is as close as they would let it come!
Then – last week – a man showed up in a small skiff – he comes once in a while to fix the fountains –
the one we see that is close to us in the middle of the lake – gets clogged up and quits –
I have watched him a half dozen times come in and go to it and unclog it!
This time as he was coming down the lake – I watched the two swans take flight –
beating their wings against the water and become airborne –
they circled around and headed over the houses to the left –
There is another lake over there – I think they went there as they were frightened by the man and boat.
After that we went for a walk on the beach – and have not seen the two swans since!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – the one swan remains – mingling in with the ducks – mallards and geese.
I have seen turtles by the hundreds – a otter – some very large fish – a eagle several times -osprey – cranes – herons – egrets – storks –
And the three swans when all here.
A place that when you wake up with the sliding glass doors open – you hear the songs of the birds.
PAPA’S WORLD livinglifedoingitmyway.blog email fitztdf@aol.com
Sherry and Pam – about to start our golf adventure – Pam could not golf – still recovering from a achilles surgery
On their last full day – Bob wanted to play golf – we last played together I would guess 1965 or 1966!
A very long time ago – and he had their clubs in the RV but had not used them all winter.
Pam – who was still recovering from surgery on her heel – would do the driving and Bob rode with me.
Bob and I went to school together from grade one to grade twelve.
They have wintered the last two seasons in their RV – this time it was in Florida.
They made it a point to stop here on their way to family in Nashville before heading home in N.H.
Sherry and Pam
Waiting to tee off – we like this course which sits right on Rte. 17 in Little River – S.C. It is a short course but fun to play. Sherry and I have golfed here alone and with friends.Now – she hits it on the fairway most times – and every once in a while – will hit it just right and bingo – it goes a long ways – here is a 298 yard hole for her – and this is her drive!
When you play a scramble and her and Cindy hit from the women’s tees – it is good to have them both on your team!
After a good day of golf – we scrambled to a 44 on both nines – we took them to Cherry Grove to one of our favorite places to eat – “SNOOKY’S” on the Beach.
This has become our go to place to take visitors – food is good – and you sit ocean front just yards off the sand.
We have many – many memories of growing up together in a small town in NWPA – called Eldred.
Many adventures of sleeping out under the stars – roaming the streets after curfew at 10:00 PM.
Nothing bad – raid a garden or two – sneak some beer – campfire – canoe trips down the river –
playing sports together – proms – dances – joining the exployer’s together-
driving – family – both his and mine.
Bob and Sherry checking out the beach where we walk every day!Pam and I a selfie while they discuss the beach!Ending our day together – walking to the cars. Pam and Bob!
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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
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PAPA BOB PAM SHERRY Friends spending last full day together – golfing and SNOOKY’S!
SHERRY TAMMY DEBBY
SHERRY: CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH SSC THE JUICE PLUS COMPANY
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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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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I have wanted to stop in here and have lunch ever since we got here on 10-1-20!
It is a local place right on the beach in North Myrtle Beach!
These places always catch my eye – I just get a feeling about them!
They generally have good food and live music –
and this day – the food was great – a salad with grilled fish – and the music?
Well – right across the street is a block long and a block wide vacant lot –
And it was packed with tents – you could rent – and thousand of people!
A huge stage and three bands playing for six hours!
WE WERE RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE OPENING OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL!
Our view from our table while eating lunch!
It is the first major event sanctioned by the town government since the start of the pandemic 14 months ago!
And people were out and about in golf carts – cars – trucks and just walking!
This was roped off and a charge to enter – you could rent out a canopy – and carry in drinks and food!
We did not go inside the ropes – instead after we ate – we walked around and around the whole roped off area as did many other people – they had chairs set up outside the ropes and golf carts – the police were there and ticketing anyone not parked legal.
I would say – inside – a thousand people – or more – I guess this is the fourth one they have had like this over the years – and the radio station was there and it also was broadcasting from the beach which was just as crowded!
Sherry entering the beach on main street!
We tried to walk the beach – but it was really crowed and full of young people – all right next to each other!
A look back toward sixth street where we usually go – and the other direction had even more people!
This area is pretty much not locked down – and you could tell the tourist season has begun!
I am happy for the the store owners who have suffered so much – many shut the doors and will not return.
But – we decided this was way too crowed for us – so we returned to the music and walked toward our condo.
Pausing once again outside the ropes to listen to a band – really good singing all the classics of summer of the 60’s and 70’s!
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