Tough choice – made easier by the drop back in 2020 for our 401K –
but also the increase in the value of the housing market!
We decided to sell – our daughter and family had moved – not far away – about thirty minutes on a good day of traffic!
But – before they were a mile away – we would pick up the little ones from school and have the youngest sometimes also.
It was an easy walk to their home and we spent a lot of time with them.
But it was the 401K – losing 30 plus % – yet the house gained more than that!
Another door had opened – an adventure awaited – we disclosed our plans – and we said we would be within an easy days drive
6 to 8 hours – but someplace warm and near a beach!
We also wanted to golf – for far less expensive than it was in NVA!
After a couple months of searching – we found our beaches – Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach – one four miles and the other six miles away – we wanted to stay on the mainland – and not in a flood zone – we found Cameron Woods Community.
We built our home – six to eight hours from our NVA families – they have come to visit numerous times and we have been back the same.
We live right across the street from four 18-hole golf courses and are within 30 minutes of another twenty-five!
We have new friends and neighbors – and are close to dear friends we have had for 35 years.
Our life had changed – we went through that door – it was not easy –
now we are in the twilight of our years – but every day brings new adventures and experiences.
A new day begins – another day to explore and live the Carolina life – thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – OUR LIFE!
PAPA’S WORLD my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com OUR CAROLINA LIFE!
I wanted color back here – the builder planted white Crepe Myrtles out front – these are WATERMELLON!
We also replaced all the Pine Straw and moved it to the tree line where we had three Oleanders put in!
They are young plants and hoping they will take hold – watering them everyday – but next year they should bloom
a bright RED againest the back drop of the protected tree line.
The second Crepe Myrtle – all trees in the yard now have stone and brick or edging depending where they are. The ones next to the house are mulched in black and serve as a contrast to the light gray siding.
A quiet neighborhood – but already a man rang the doorbell trying to sell home securtiy!
We are slowly putting in flowers that will come back year to year – hoping to make this area wild but colorful!
This will be a on going work in progress – adding a little bit here and there!
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One is the oldest granddaughter while the second is the youngest granddaughter with her twin sister.
One is in her third year at University of Lynchburg – Enviromental Engineering major.
One is in the fifth grade – so caring she calls or zooms her grandmother almost every day.
One starts at the attack front position for the ranked lady soccer hornets soccer team.
And had played in 13 games as a freshmen – started her Sophomore year and again as a junior.
One moved to sit beside her older cousin at the soccer game.
Both are dear to our hearts!
Cassidy with MARLEY – the newest addition to her family!
Always smiling – always caring – always protective of her brother – just who she is. Cassidy
Maddy – a junior at the University of Lynchburg – Environmental Engineering – playing soccer and carrying above a 3.80 GPA! Next to Papa in the picture.
Number 13 – left front attacker – crossing a dribble with her left foot to get around a defender. On a top 25 team in the Division III national polls.
Granddaughters – oldest to youngest – youngest admires the oldest – both exceptional to us –
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As the day begins at the condo – the build of our new home begins some six-teen miles away – in Cameron Woods at Ocean Isle Beach – N.C. We searched and searched – but all in vain as the cost to buy was equal or more than to build what we wanted!
Our view here I shall always remember – in all we will be here for nine months!
I captured this shot as a flock of geese were coming right at me before
rising up over the lanai and roof.
We decided to build – that way we would have everything we wanted
A single story – no stairs – covered front porch – screened in covered lanai.
Close to the beach ( four miles) in the country!
Close to golfing ( over 20 courses near by)
And with in 6 1/2 hours to travel back home
or family to travel here!
Materials for the new home – ground is ready – all utilities in and inspected – waiting for pour of concrete!Forms and moisture barrierSome view in one direction of neighborhood – I think in total maybe fifty homes will be here.When done – a two car garage with pull down stairs and finished storage overhead.
We will have around 1900 sf. of heated space –
in addition to a 140 sf covered and screened in lanai
and a open 10 x 14 concrete patio.
There will be a covered front porch
and views of the neighborhood.
The back will be woods with no one building there
as it will be a conservation area.
We will be four miles to Ocean Isle Beach and six miles to Sunset Beach
A thirty minute drive back to North Myrtle Beach
and a fifthteen minute drive to Calabash
and a fifthteen minute drive to Shallotte.
All this in the middle of some twenty golf courses we will be playing!
The concrete is poured – and rain is now slowing up everything!
But – all the inspections have been completed
and our contractor calls us every Monday to give updates
and answer any questions!
The forms are out – concrete is in – framing will be next!View of the garage and the woods behind the new build.
We drive over every Sunday – no one is working!
That way – if it is not raining – we can get out and look it over!
This will be our third house together building.
All three were unique and we have input on all of them.
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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
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Welcome to CAMERON WOODS – OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. 28469
Sitting off Old Georgetown road – just past the back entrance to Ocean Ridge Plantation –
sits a brand new community – about four years old.
Amongst the tall N.C. pine trees and the live oaks.
It is a gated community – and will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 homes when completed.
The last phase is set to be started with the roads and infrastructure have been completed in half of it.
Sunset in Cameron Woods from our back patio.
Beyond these woods will be the final construction – there are no roads in there yet except one access road – and a very large pond – although all the trees have been cleared.
To the right of this – that section has paved roads and infrastructure!
It is to the far right that the roads are in – and another beautiful sunset!
We are getting to know the neighbors – as they move in.
Our close friends Steve and Diane are actually from back in WNY and know our old stomping
grounds there.
We have abundant wildlife here – turkeys – deer – raccoons – gators – and some say a bobcat.
It is at the end of this street where the final phase of construction is!
If the sky is somewhat clear – and most times it is – we can see the sunset from the end of the driveway
to the back patio each night – and then do stargazing – as the view is clear.
View of the beginning of sunset over our home.
In the mornings from the opposite view here – we see the sunrises!
So we have the perfect sunrise and sunsets each day and night!
SUNSET FROM OUR FRONT EDGE OF THE DRIVEWAY!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – there are a lot of lots left to build on –
COME ON IN – we would love to meet new residents!
CAMERON WOODS – OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C.
Four plus miles to OIB and seven-plus miles to SUNSET BEACH!
SHALLOTTE seven miles away and CALABASH six miles away.
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.
I seem to be the person if it is going to happen – it will happen to me.
This is very RARE here this close to the ocean so I am told.
And to be fair – within an hour or so – it was gone!
Looking out the lanai at the snow on the ground and swirling in the air.
Now – really – I could care less if I ever see snow again – some people think that is nuts –
but I just do not like the snow-ice and cold – and I lived in WNY & NWPA for 50 years!
So I know all about blizzards – running my van up and down the driveway to pack it down –
Shoveling – chipping ice – burning 21 cords of wood hand carried inside and to the basement for the woodstove – that stove kept us warm through one week without electricity – and power –
that plus the living room fireplace –
going to work at 5am. through unplowed roads and a foot of fresh snow and another foot on the way.
The Tower Garden all covered up and survived all the ice – snow and cold.
I think it is so pretty coming down – covering in white – but that is my extent of liking it.
Back North – we would go cross-country skiing – in the Alleghany National Park on groomed trails.
As a kid, we were always outside sledding – building forts and snowball fights.
My memories are in the past – my present is NO SNOW! LOL
Lonely birdfeeder with no birds in the snow.
As I said – it was over in an hour – sunshine and no snow anywhere – the WHY we moved South.
The Sun is back – the air still cool – the roads dry – NO ICE – NO SNOW!
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Diane – Sherry, and Papa – walking after the snow – in the sunshine and cool air!
After walking through the paved road area where the infrastructure is already installed –
We decided to walk the access road beyond the huge mound of dirt to the pond.
Diane Sherry and Betsey waiting for me to come down off the mound of dirt.
We now are on the access road – through the cleared area walking to the large pond!
Sherry and Diane walking the road with a huge drainage ditch on the left – I call this the “GATOR HIGHWAY”
Yes – we have seen a small gator in this pond – but as Sherry says – “WHERE’S THE MOTHER”?
This is the old access road that they put in to make the pond and clear the land.
This old access road runs right behind our house – the tree line here is protected –
That is the back of our home in the picture – these woods will not be cut or cleared and this old road is blocked off – where another new home has been built.
I hope they make this part of the already trail system we have that goes around the other pond.
This now seems to be where they dump and storm drains – pipes, etc.
This area will be the last to be done in the next phase – suppose to be according to map site plans
A third pond somewhere to the right of this picture eventually.
The second pond – looks to be as big as the other one or larger.
We have seen many tracks of deer around here as well as other tracks.
People have said they have seen Bobcat tracks and coming home one night –
I saw something bigger than a normal cat on the main highway – ?????
I took this picture a couple months ago – right behind the new community center.
Betsey – Diane and Sherry – heading back up the road away from the pond.
There are five houses to be completed in our phase – and then they are done there- I was told the construction will commence here in the finished area with paved roads sometime in March.
They are selling the lots now – LENNAR is the builder now – new designs and new elevations will be the difference from what we had to choose from.
We shall see what this all looks like a year from now as aI think it is a two-year build-out or more.
PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
CAMERON WOODS – off Old Georgetown Road – Ocean Isle Beach – across from the back entrance to Ocean Ridge Plantation – home of the BIG CATS golf courses.
In North-Western Pa. in the midst of the very ancient Alleghany Moutains –
Sits a village known as Mount Jewett.
A town was built and settled by Swedish Emigrants.
Sherry’s mother and her mother were Swedes – her grandmother was born in Sweden.
Memories of past generations.
Historical Mt. Nebo Lutheran Church
Built in 1885 by the Swedish men – this is a replicate of an actual EIGHT-SIDED church still existing in Sweden. This church was built for them and services were held there regularly through out the 1900s until the early ’60s.
When a new church was constructed by the ancestors of the Swedes of the 1800’s!
Memories of generations!
Today it is on the Historical resgister
It is completely surrounded by graves of those early settlers and this view is almost from the graves of Sherry’s parents and family members.
The interior of the church is a Octogon and consists of two levels.
The mural behind the altar was painted by a traveling artist and signed in the early 1900s.
All the original altar – organ – pews and communion vessels remain.
Memories of a congregation of immigrants.
Nearby is the historic Kinzua railroad bridge – the highest bridge built at the time in the 1800s.
A tornado came through and took down half the bridge – today it is a tourist area and a state park.
It also was the location for the TV series ” FINDING BIGFOOT”!
Memories of a long-gone dream of transit railroad through the mountains.
The little Swedish coffee shop
KAFFE SOL – Swedish for coffee shop – sits in the heart of the town of Mount Jewett.
If you like homemade cooking and great tasting treats of cinnamon rolls etc.
Then this is a must to stop and eat.
But it closes in mid-afternoon so they can go home and start that homemade cooking all over again.
Memories of sights and smells of the past in NWPA!
In Cameron Woods Community – Ocean Isle Beach – N.C. – there will be a lot of firsts!
COCKTAILS in the driveway – lunch at Riversedge golf course – picnic at the park.
The new book readers club and in the future the free book exchange library!
And now a new developer!
We have been sold to LENNAR – the number two developer in the country!
Things have changed and they are known for building spec homes – you get limited choices!
Different elevations – and one price has it all!
Whereas we were able to select almost everything! ( we are happy to have already built!)
We are hoping by Easter the community center is done! At least the main building!
Our new community center – slowly being built – the curbs have just been laid – pickleball courts are paved – and the pool has been in the ground for months – waiting to be finished!
It will be here that we will all come together as a community of neighbors – meetings – lunches and dinners. The free book library will be out front by the road somewhere I presume for access to exchange the books. We can walk to this easily! A workout room and kitchen and bathrooms.
And this year for the very first time – three families got together on Thanksgiving day – to walk!
8:30 AM. = we all met at the intersection of Waterway and Lindley – it was cool but bright sunshine –
led to a warm 3.7-mile walk!
The very first TURKEY TROT WALK-RUN!
A big thank you to Rob – who organized it by simply announcing it on the Community Facebook page!
And YES – the picture of the TURKEYS are from the neighborhood – on the cul-de-sac behind the
new community center -taken a few days before by Sherry!
The Zimmermans – the Sopers – and Fitzsimmons families!
We have heard from others who were away and could not join us in the first neighborhood
THANKSGIVING TURKEY TROT!
But – will walk next year!
We are a transit community – many people have this as a second home awaiting retirement.
A lot of people are here but working from home.
And a few of us old-timers ( us) are retired!
I think Sherry and myself are more the Grandma and Grandpa of the neighborhood! LOL
It is a community of many FIRSTS – waiting to be completed in a couple years.
CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY – OCEAN ISLE BEACH – come and join us – either if you already own here or want to build in the new Phase Three!
Cocktails in the driveway – picnic at the park – lunch meet and greet at the golf course
and now the first TURKEY-TROT-WALK!
Chrismas caroling is in the works and who knows what else is being talked about!
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PAPA’S WORLD – CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY – OCEAN ISLE 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!
They are on the banks in the sun – when it gets colder – they do not move much.
We always are on the lookout for Gators and Snakes – I have not seen any snakes so far – but they are around.
Now – Oyster Bay – Sunset Beach – N.C. is one fine golf course – love playing here – and people live along the fairways and ponds – 14 – 15 and 16 are full of gators!
Sherry in the cart and behind her to the left while we wait for the fairway to clear – GATORS – four of them!
Needless to say – you do not wander around – we do not get close – and they seem to just stay there. Hundreds of golfers play this course and do not go to the water to find your ball – same for high grass and weeds!
Other wildlife and birds – a beautiful setting – and across the road is the ICW!
Sherry on the cart path between two lakes – and yes there are gators in there!
Now – if you ever get the chance – make a tee time here – it is beautiful – a challenge for golf – tough holes -located by Sunset Beach – N.C. OYSTER BAY GOLF COURSE!
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The tee box for across the pond and up the hill to the green!
And this is just the back nine!
PAPA’S WORLD – OYSTER BAY GOLF COURSE – SUNSET BEACH, N.C.
When we decided to build a new home – we made our selections – but there were things we wanted that had to come after the build – they – the builders did not offer them!
We had a list of things – small – and we had to either hire them done – or do them ourselves / some had to do with landscaping!
Those we hired to be done – involving planting trees – taking out pine straw – replacing with stones and rocks.
And putting in yards of mulch.
Having already removed everything from the outdoor patio – I put down two coats of outdoor concrete paint!
This we had wanted to do from the start – along with doing the same to the enclosed covered lanai.
Here – Sherry and I placed all the furniture from inside outside so I could prep and paint!
When you get old – crawling around on concrete does a number on your knees and feet!
So – I folded up old towels – four of them and would spread them out – so I could move along and paint the trim areas.
But – being old – I still needed to stand up after reaching the end of the four towels – just to stretch those muscles!
The enclosed lanai – working my way from that end to the door that opened up on the patio.
The final stretch – the open door!
It took me two days but I did it! Cross this off the list – and now to put it all back together again.
The end product – inside the lanai!
Inside looking outside to the outdoor patio.
At last, we are done with this project – cross it off the list!
Being old does not mean you can not accomplish a planned project – I know my limitations –
The feeling when done – is worth all those aches and pains!
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PAPA’S WORLD – crossing off home improvements one at a time!
They called – a zoom call – the night before they left – we are going to surprise you tomorrow!
We had asked them to come down after they had stopped overnight back in August when they were passing through
for Marcus’s family vacation.
It was his mother and father and brother and sister and families.
We visited them at their beach house in Surfside – South Myrtle Beach.
So – this made us very happy to have four days with them this time!
Sherry and Tammy – she is the youngest daughter
I took Marcus and Bode golfing – while the girls went shopping with MorMor ( Swede for mothers mother)
This would be me with no birdies!
Although his birthday would be after they returned home – we celebrated while they were here!
Taylor – MorMor ( what they call her) and Cassidy singing happy birthday to Bode!
Taylor and Bode – they both are going to be really tall – taking after Sherry who is 5’9″.
It was a special four days – playing golf – shopping -walking two beaches – showing them Clarks in Little River –
Calabash shopping – and having cake and presents for Bode’s coming birthday.
Four days is not enough – and plans for Spring break are in the making.
Christmas – for 10 or more days – we will travel back to NVA and spend time with them and our other daughter and her husband and the older granddaughters.
Looking forward to our next gathering as a family.
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MORMOR and BODE – PAPA’S WORLD
WHERE FAMILY MEETS OUR FRIENDS – FRIENDS MEET OUR FAMILY
I 