My dream growing up was endless vacations near the beach – today we have that – watching others packing up to go back home – while we can come back the next day and the next day whenever we want!
Our dream now – living life to the plus one day at a time!
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PAPA and SHERRY – on the ICW – OUR LIFE IN PICTURES!
Cousins – Sherry sisters daughter and her family – the JONES – and Debby and two of her daughters – the Myers!
We journeyed to Sunset beach – to catch the sunset – it so happened that the JONES was visiting and the Myers were also here at the same time.
Through the years we have tried to be all together – but families spread out and lives are different – so many things going on in each family.
Grandmothers and granddaughters. On the beach in Myrtle beach – after some shopping at the outlet mall and some dinner all together at Barefoot Landing.
The little ones are growing up so fast – years seem to go by before we meet up.
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PAPA’S WORLD – COUSINS COMING TOGETHER – MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Good day – we are close to this beach – a short 12-minute drive and then the walkway over the dunes to the beach.
The walkway is long and goes over the sand and dunes – shrubs – small trees and a habitat for all kinds of native species.
Along the way – you can see the sun beginning to dip below the horizon – many bushes line the walkway.
Looking back along the walkway to the beach houses – this is the far end of Sunset Beach – from here on it is BIRD ISLAND –
no beach houses – just sand and dunes and ocean surf!
You may find it hard to park here as it is limited and no blocked driveways and no parking allowed signs.
When you can find parking – tires are not allowed on bike paths or sidewalks.
But – when you do find one it is worth it to be able to walk this out to the beach.
Sherry and Papa at the end of the walkway and the ramp down to the beach – the sunset is fantastic, behind us is BIRD ISLAND – nothing but sand – dunes, and surf – a mile plus from here is the KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX which has existed for more than forty years. Google it and read the history of this historic place.
Sherry walking down the ramp to the beach in the sunset – they sky always change here depending on the clouds!
After walking on the beach – time to head back and the final rays of sun through the foliage on the walk back.
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog SUNSET AT SUNSET BEACH – NATURES WONDER!
Sherry – Troy – Papa – it is hard to believe that the years have gone by so fast – here he is another year older – the man who builds houses from the ground up – everything – he is like my father – who as a young little boy – called him “FRITZ”!
Proud Papa – today he has hung up the house building and runs the insulation and energy side of Shawn’s business. Working on becoming able to also do the audits and be certified by the state.
Kindness – patience – loving – he got all of this from my mother – who, when he was young would go and stay with her as she was alone.
Today he and Andrea live together and do everything as one – hoping they both will come back and visit us!
In this picture, the eyes and smile so remind me of my older brother!
Before he went into the business of my younger son – a fireplace he built in a house he built!
My son – happy birthday and many more to come – love dad.
Troy – Papa – Shawn – oldest and youngest – love dad.
Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog To my oldest son Troy – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Our happy place awaits you to come back to – love Dad!
We choose to live near the beach – but on the mainland side of the ICW!
We are out of the flood zone – but within 10 to 15 minutes of two beaches – Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach – and near several more beaches.
We also love golf and are in the middle of 20 to 25 golf courses!
We have excellent friends who live about 33 miles from us and we try to get together whenever possible to golf!
We have known them since they were our neighbors back in WNY in 1988!
They first moved down here some 25 years ago and we have been in contact and on vacations ever since.
We have met new people where we live and have been to several parties. Here we are in our driveway – and the group went caroling around the neighborhood while I remained and watched the fire.
Our home is decorated for Christmas – we love it here – country but 30 minutes to North Myrtle Beach and just 15 minutes to Shallotte and Calabash.
We are close to theaters, amusements, Wilmington, N.C., and Southport.
We have been through a Category one Hurricane – and anything over Two – we will leave.
SUNSET FROM OUR DRIVEWAY – and we also see SUNRISES FROM OUR DRIVEWAY.
WHY WE CHOOSE THE CAROLINAS TO CALL HOME – NO ICE OR SNOW!
We are happy here in retirement – living our dreams and life one day at a time. We do go back to NVA often to see family –
and they all have been down even our family from NWPA!
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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!
We play scrambles with other couples – friends – guys vs. gals!
You take the total of your 18-hole score – then you get deducted one stroke for every par the other team made – and two strokes for a birdie and so forth.
Surprising – most scores then come down to one or two strokes – or even.
Buck Dottie Cindy Jim Papa Sherry – all these years friends.
We have tried other ways – giving and taking strokes – handicaps, etc.
And it all is in fun – but I will tell you – we tied the first nine and the guys won the second nine by one stroke while carding a 35!
THEY ARE THAT GOOD!
OH YEAH – I KNOW THE LAST ONE SO WELL!
DOTTIE
CINDY
SHERRY
Friends are priceless – all these years – song on 40-plus years.
We later went on the ICW on a pontoon boat – cruising up and down – a few drinks –
a lot of laughs and some singing.
Papa and Cindy – on the ICW – OIB to Holden Beach back to Sunset Beach and then OIB!
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Stepping out the front door of our house in Cameron Woods to the morning sunrise!
We choose this lot because of the sunrise and sunset from our driveway!
You look right to the East and left to the West!
Looking out the front door to the West!
We have been here going on fifteen months – and have had numerous sunrise and sunset skies
that is absolutely beautiful!
This is us! No snow or ice!
View of the front and looking SW toward the ocean some 2 to 4 miles away!
We are in OIB but on the mainland side – six miles to Sunset Beach and four miles to OIB.
The sunrise from the backyard – all the tree line to the right is protected!
Our backyard borders a protected area – it can not be developed or cut down – the second reason we chose this lot to build our new home!
Looking out at the backyard and treeline.
As we progress into the future – we have carefully had the landscape done – replacing pine straw with stones and mulch – eventually going to all stones and borders.
We also wanted an open patio and a firepit – along with a place to grow our own organic veggies – which we have done now year round!
This is now our third harvest since early spring – and are going on our second harvest of cucumbers!
She finally talked me into purchasing a grill and we often grill out here – we have no gas and the house is all electric – and electric stove tops we have found are hard to keep clean – thus I grill! LOL
Our little flower garden next to the treeline – now if we can keep the deer from munching the leaves! LOL
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Eating dinner after our four-hour boat ride on the ICW at OIB Fish Company – OIB
The four couples have been friends going on 35 years and some over 40 years.
We try to get together at least once or twice a year –
made more difficult because some still live in WNY and another couple in Va. Beach.
While Sherry and myself live 32 miles from the McBrides now.
A little humor to start your day!
Sherry and Papa steering the pontoon boat on the ICW from OIB to Holden Beach
We all rented a pontoon boat for four hours to cruise up and down the ICW from OIB – to Holden Beach and back to Sunset Beach – where we saw a lone Dolphin for over 15 minutes diving for food in 8 feet of water.
Jim Papa and Buck
It was really busy being labor day weekend – countless boats going both ways and creating waves!
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To be continued with more pictures of the ICW and friends.
Papa’s World – about to depart on the ICW with a young man getting us out of the crowded dock area.
PAPA’S WORLD – FUN TIMES – OLD FRIENDS – GETTING TOGETHER!
Our family from WPA came to visit – driving some 16 hours – a very long trip!
First time for my two sons and their families to make the trip South.
Troy the eldest – Papa and Shawn the youngest.
We tried to work as much into the seven days as we could –
sometimes letting them go off on their own as we had other commitments
but we did sunrises and sunsets all together – beach time and places to eat out together.
Visiting the area and nature walks along with mini golf!
Andrea and Troy – selfie!
Our time together was priceless and I encouraged them to fly next time to be able to spend
more time on vacation and less time driving!
When we moved south to NVA in 1999 – they stayed in WPA for their families and jobs.
Relaxing on the mainland side of Sunset Beach in the park.
Our garage became a favorite place to meet and talk during rain and hot sunshine while at the house.
Shawn and Troy
Shawn runs his own Energy Auditing business contracting with major energy companies for the states of Pa. and firms from NYS. Troy works for and runs the insulation side of the business for Shawn and government and state programs for the elderly.
In the morning they left to drive back to WPA – not saying goodbye but until we meet again.
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Bode – Cassidy – Taylor and their MorMor – on the waterfront at Oyster Rock.
TWELVE DAYS of non-stop activity – crossing off all that was on the list plus whatever we added!
Ferry rides – Fort Fisher – aquarium – scavenger hunt – arts and crafts at the park – Wonder Works in Boardwalk on the Beach – Lulu’s and playground at Barefoot Landing – Plus Bullys for lunch –
Then there were go-carts – mini golf – beach time – tidal pool – fireworks – golf cart parade – walking and riding bikes – crafts at home – IPAD time –
There was more – twelve days worth – and yes we were exhausted – but even now we miss them.
Marcus – Taylor – Cassidy – Tammy and Bode – were happy to see them.
The parents came for overnight and then headed to Topsail Beach for vacation with Marcus’s family.
The kids were excited as they would see their cousins and grandparents.
Taylor and her MorMor( Sherry) yes – she is tall – eleven years old – and we have two more who are taller than Sherry – her cousins Ella and Sarah!
It was a full twelve days of non-stop going – playing – creating – laughing – and they were so good!
Taylor – Bode – Cassidy – so long – until next summer – but we will see them often in the next 12 months!
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