Papa’s World – A look back and around!

It was only by chance that we found the entrance to what would be our third home,

which we had built together.

We lived in a top-floor condo at Ocean Keyes in North Myrtle Beach.

We really liked it there.

We had a wonderful view of a lake with fountains in it.

Swans – geese – ducks – a lot of big fish we could look down at from our Lanai which was screened in.

We had three bedrooms and two full bathrooms.

A dining area and a kitchen – washer and dryer –

The living room had huge glass sliding doors as did the Master Bedroom –

All went out to an enclosed-screened Lanai that went the full width of the condo.

We were on the top floor – the fourth floor with two elevators right outside of our front door.

We would walk the streets inside the gate – along the lake –

past six swimming pools – a large tennis court-

A community workout area.

750 condos were here and most were second homes for out-of-state owners.

Very few people lived there full-time.

This was the Pandemic in 2020 and we almost had it all to ourselves.

The downside was we had no garage and storage.

After we went out the back gate – two blocks and we were standing on the sand of the beach.

The same for the town – we would be on the main street – all the bars – grills and shopping were there.

There were times in the nine months we were there –

That we could hear live music from that street –

Slowly the Pandemic was loosening its grip.

We pondered living here – there were units available for sale –

The HOA fee was very high – $470.00 a month.

Security was excellent.

The location was great – but we were so close to the beach and storms.

We started searching!

So – we ventured across the border into N.C. –

Where over 30 golf courses were available.

We purchased the First Tee Card – and we could play at reduced rates on these courses.

It was then we hired a realtor and told her we liked that area –

“What could she show us”?

One after another we visited – some were okay –

most needed upgrades – they were dated.

We were not having any luck –

The last one we looked at was a Condo and a house in Sea Trails.

The condo was first floor – on a fairway – a nice big Lanai –

but the pictures of the rooms were deceiving!

They were small – 12 by 12 living room and even smaller kitchen

It was cut up into small rooms.

It would not do and the single-story house we looked at –

The floor was spongy – the woodwork was all marked up.

Too much work needed to be done.

That is when we told her – to give us some options back toward Leland and Magnolia Greens.

This would be where our longtime friends lived.

After she left – I said to Sherry – I had seen a billboard advertisement –

Brand New to build homes in Cameron Woods Community by Real Star.

This was a little bit higher than what we planned on spending but would be considered our high price range.

And we had options – we could get what we wanted –

Be in the area of 30 golf courses – and ten minutes to two beaches.

And it was five minutes from Sea Trails where we were looking.

We were well into our senior years of life –

We wanted a warm climate – no snow – no ice and the ability to walk the beach as long as we could.

We turned right out of Sea Trails drove five minutes and were at Cameron Woods Community.

They were less than two years into building this community.

We went through the gate and into the parking lot of the model.
Not knowing anything about RealStar – Sherry immediately loved the model and how it was built!

The realtor told us that morning a customer had withdrawn their downpayment and a lot was available-

That would be built on soon!

We went to see it and soon saw that the Sun traveled east To West over it –

The house would face North and the rear would face South toward the ocean.

This Beach area is unique in that it faces the Ocean toward the South –

Because of the way the coast curves from Charleston to Wilmington!

That means the front porch would be shaded most of the day.

I wanted a front porch to sit on and Sherry wanted an office.

We both got that in the model we chose.

We would be 40 miles from our long-time friends –

Buck and Cindy McBride at Magnolia Greens.

That would mean golfing – dinner and shows as they liked our area to golf in –

And there are dinner theaters and shows in the NMB area as well as in Wilmington!

We decided then and there to put the money down – contacted our realtor and told her –

We still required her services and told the RealStar agent that.

In a little over nine months from moving into the condo –

We were in our third house that we had built-

1910 SF. Exactly the upgrades we wanted (that changed when RealStar sold out to Lennar)

Papa on the front porch he wanted to be able to sit on in the sun.

Our senior retirement home in Cameron Woods Community –

Today the major portion is all built out and resales happening,

Out front on Old Georgetown road – two-story townhomes with garages are being built and sold.

This phase is almost complete –

However another sister community is being built next to ours called-

Cameron Woods Pines.

All the trees have been harvested –

learned out – an emergency access road is being installed with a gate just behind the dog park-

and pond at Cameron Woods Community.

A walking trail will give access to both communities for walking.

Looking at the setting sun from our home in OIB- Cameron Woods Community.

We are home.

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Golfing “THE MAPLES” at Sea Trails!

We have what is called in golfing circles – “THE FIRST TEE” card –

If you purchase around Christmas time – you save $10.00 and get it for $90.00 each!

This card has 52 courses in and around our area and some a few hour’s drive away!

It requires you to make tee times within a 48-hour time frame before the day and tee slot!

You just call the number of the course – and usually, you can not make a tee time before noon.

When calling I ask for a tee time after 1:00 PM. and tell them I have THE FIRST TEE card.

In the four years we have purchased the card – we have never been told “NO”!

Here we are playing a scramble – Buck – Cindy and Papa –

Sherry because of the compressed fracture of an L1 vertebra –

is the designated driver for Cindy.

This is Sea Trails and is “THE MAPLES” course – one of three 18-hole courses here.

We are in the middle of the fairway after my drive and taking our second shot at the green!

We made the gree but three putted! LOL

So – WHY the first Tee Card?

Because it supports young golfers all over the country in learning to play golf-

and helps them out in paying for the game itself!

With that being said – it also gives us – who have the card – a reduced rate on the fee of the course!

Here Cindy is taking the second shot to the green after her drive to this spot!

The reduced fee – we have come to price out – after four or five courses –

has saved enough money to pay for the card!

So it is beneficial to both us and the young golfers it helps out!

And the course gains players that might not golf there –

usually at that time in the afternoon – being hot – players are not playing!

Here is my drive off the tee on an extreme dogleg left – Cindy prepares to hit across the pond –

She did not make it – I was lucky I hit my drive to here –

but this shot is what I call “Will I make it across and to the green”!

Her shot came up short although Buck did get across but was far left!

I think it was 150 to carry the green!

Now it was my turn – I did not know how this would come out as I almost never do! LOL

But – I made it to the right apron of the green –

So we lay there in two and parred the hole!

Sea Trails is undergoing major upgrades – and has shut one course down –

hoping to reopen in September and then upgrade to another course.

Millions of dollars are being spent – new clubhouses –

Codos being built – a hotel – a multi-story driving range –

They have said this will rival Pinehurst in the future.

It is a huge area – and construction is everywhere.

We have golfed multiple times here on the three courses and look forward to the upgrades!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – GOLFING “THE MAPLES AT SEA TRAILS” with the FIRST TEE!

Papa’s World – Living in the Carolinas!

BEACHES – WARMTH – BLUE SKIES and GOLF!

We made the move to eight miles to the border of S.C. – OIB – known as OCEAN ISLE BEACH!

Now in this expanse of eight to ten miles – in any direction except toward the ocean –

is about thirty golf courses!

Playing golf was one of the reasons we moved to Cameron Woods Community.

We both love to be out on the fairways and the trees and open air.

We purchased each year what is known as THE FIRST TEE CARD for $100.00 –

$90.00 if you buy it before Christmas each year.

On this card are 52 golf venues where you can make tee times –

but you can only make them sometimes 24 to 48 hours in advance and most are after twelve – noon!

We do not mind as that time most players want morning tee times-

thus it is not as crowded at 1:30 PM. Tee off!

So we play – mostly with our dear friends Buck and Cindy – once every week or two.

Other times – I have played with neighborhood friends –

and at times with my son-in-law when they visit.

There are times when our group of friends that we have known for years –

come to visit and we play guys vs gals and usually it ends up one stroke –

while we give them five strokes over eighteen holes.

Makes for a great afternoon – dinner and festive bantering!

We also chose this area because we are close to two beaches – here is the Sunset Beach Pier –

This is the beach I prefer to walk on as it is more level and easier for me to walk –

I have a sore hip joint – walking here in the surf is okay!

As you can see here – Sunset Beach at low tide is very wide – and not as rough as other beaches!

While I also am way past riding the waves – I do wade into knee-deep and that is enough for me!

Sunset Beach is known as its name suggests – brilliant SUNSETS!

A couple times a month they have live bands set up on the pier and everyone gathers in the sand

below for free concerts!

This is more of a residential beach and in less than fifteen minutes we are standing on the sand!

And then there is OCEAN ISLE BEACH – I like this beach because it has commercial places to eat and drink!

Also a very large open park with a covered stage for concerts – a mini golf course – and a playground with pickle ball courts – basketball – splash pool and various playground rides for kids!

Live free concerts begin at the end of May and run up past Labor Day!

Pelican Perch is one of my favorite bars and grills – my favorite draft is ‘RED OAK”!

There is also a second-level coffee shop and a wine and beer garden with appetizers!

Many surf shops and a community center with parking – a covered deck with picnic tables

and outdoor showers – and restrooms for the public.

We drive here often as in less than ten minutes we are standing on the beach –

we search for sea shells – sand dollars – starfish –

April is a big month to find Counch Shells!

Ocean Isle Beach pier – a lot of fishing from here – and you can see from the other pier on Sunset Beach-

it is rougher here!

We walk here also but it seems that my hip is more sore here than at Sunset Beach.

Both beaches have free parking for now – but both piers charge $10.00 to park in their enclosed lots

all day.

Living here near golf and beaches along with being warm in Spring and Fall is what we wanted.

Winter is bearable – no snow to shovel and hardly any ice – storms can be a problem but in four years we have survived that!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – LIVING IN THE CAROLINAS!

Papa’s World – Past Pictures of Memories!

Playing golf at Lions Paw in late January at 70-plus degrees!

The fairway grass is dormant – except where they overseed – blue sky with whisps of white!

Sherry and Cindy getting ready to tee it up – this is one of our reasons for moving further South! GOLF!

My Buddy Buck – we played a scramble – hitting our second shot – par five!

On the last hole at 4:45 pm. – it started to cool down – but still in the mid to upper 60s!

Buck and I – friends for years and years – neighbors back in WNY!

We finished golfing at 5:00 pm. and then went to Sea Trails to BISTRO 55 bar and grill for dinner.

It had just opened a few months ago in the Convention Center.

While there – the waitress said we could taste a flight of four juices each –

so we did and they were very good –

next time back we can order one with a shot in!

We were even told to keep the glasses – here are my four tastings!

I liked the CUCUMBER ONE!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAST PICTURES OF MEMORIES!

Papa’s World – Golfing Sea Trails with childhood buddy!

We had planned this since last year – when they came to a campground near us – we would play golf!

Bob and I lived in the same town growing up – grade school – Jr. High and then High School!

We both graduated from Otto-Eldred H.S.

Grade school – Eldred Elementary School – we went here for fifth and sixth grade!

Our first four grades were spent here in the old grades 1 through 12 High School!

Otto-Eldred H.S. where we played sports – and graduated in 1967 – a very long time ago!

We had stayed in contact through class reunions and then the past five or six years –

when they decided to tour the country in their RV.

Since then they have stopped and at times stayed with us or in a campground!

Sharing many old memories and creating new ones –

Best buddies for all these years!

Bob about to hit the green – we played a scramble – for two old duffers who can not putt-

we left about 5 strokes in putting on the first nine – we managed a 41!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – GOLFING SEA TRAILS WITH CHILDHOOD BUDDY! MEMORIES PAST AND PRESENT!

Papa’s World – Sherry and I golfing at Sea Trails and Oyster Bay golf courses – warm afternoon days!

Papa was about to tee off – we were paired up with two gentlemen we did not know.

We only signed up to play nine holes – we were the last group to tee off at the BIRYD gold course at Sea Trails.

We were paired with two retired fellows who live there.

An Osprey resting on a dead tree.

It was a warm day – almost 70 degrees and blue skies and sunshine.

The next day – was also nice and we made a tee time at 1:45 pm. at Oyster Bay for nine holes.

Wildlife is abundant on this course.
Oyster Bay is one of our favorite courses here – we have played it several times over the years.
Beautiful scenery here – and we were able to play alone – but there was a backup on every hole.
Sherry standing on the cart path between two lakes full of GATORS!

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my next blog will be the GATOR’S we saw – really BIG GATORS!

Papa’s World – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog EMAIL: fitztdf@aol.com