Side by side – over 40 years – making memories together.
The time has rushed by – youth to middle age to now autumn years – together as one.
Here we are today – but we were there 40 years ago – starting a journey – bound by love – together in spirit.
Spending time with family in those early years – continues today – although they are gone – memories still exist of the good times – the fun times and the love of each other. Sherry’s mother and father – Bill and Barb.
Today we have become what her parents were to our children and now us to their children.
All of the grandchildren – Christmas at our home in Brambleton, Va.
Past memories – past family gatherings – looking to the present and future of family times to come.
The present – doing what we love – golfing together.
Just the two of us during the week – afternoons – we are right in the middle of 20 plus golf courses.
The present also brings us to a small bar 1 1/2 miles from the house – watching the BILLS with friends.
A step outside of this small bar – to observe the sunset next to the small airport of OIB.
We are here now in OIB – making new friends – members of a church – exploring the area –
doctors are here now – life is going on – making new memories – but never forgetting the past ones.
We have managed to be 6 to 8 hours away from the family – but we have room for all of them.
Beaches – golfing – hiking – entertainments – venues – shopping – we are excited to share all of that.
Inviting fire on a chilly night
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Our very first Christmas in our new home! Sharing some pictures! Keeping some memories.
Our front entrance with wreathes both front and back – candles in the front windows.
A child was born – swaddled in clothes – the baby who changed the world – bringing joy to each and every one. Bringing light into a dark world. As Christians – we believe.
Our wall is dedicated to our Dream – beach living!
In the joy of this season – the first for us here – we had a dream – a dream to live near a beach – we have two – Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach – keep positive thoughts – rejoice in your dreams!
Our Charlie Brown Tree.
In this season of joy to us and the world – giving is more important for us. We found a family of five.
Two little girls and one little boy and parents.
On Facebook – the mother asked if anyone had decorations they did not want – for they had none.
We had so many in storage – and had gone away from the green trees of lights and bulbs.
So – Sherry contacted her and we made arrangements to drop them off some 17 miles away.
When the mother thanked us through PM later – she said now they could decorate for the kids.
Asking is hard to do – giving is easy – tis the holiday season – tis the joy of giving.
Our first lighted front of the house.
We decorated early this year – to be able to enjoy it being our first time here.
In this first holiday year – Christmas caroling by Sherry and neighbors.
A golf cart ride around the neighborhood to see the houses all lighted up!
A neighborhood cocktail party and two we missed for other commitments.
Our first holidays here and already the joys of friends we have made and friends we have still to make.
Today as you read this – our thoughts are with you.
All those years ago – a babe was born – we celebrate that birth in a Christian way.
We celebrate family – friends and those in need.
We celebrate a way for peace in the world and at home.
Thanks for reading – thanks for following – thanks for being a part of my life and this blog.
PAPA and SHERRY – wishing you love – happiness – joy and a MERRY CHRISTMAS on this day!
Welcome to CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY of OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. 28469!
The GATED ENTRANCE
We are situated off Old Georgetown Road – across from Ocean Ridge Plantation – this also – parts of it – is Ocean Ridge.
Across that street is home to the BIG CATS golf courses of Ocean Ridge.
A large flock of turkeys just behind the new community center!
YES – there is wildlife here – I have seen Turkey and Deer – among the trees and houses here.
I have seen Gators in the ponds and some have seen snakes( I saw a large Blacksnake) while others have seen Copperheads.
I suppose raccoons and possums – I have seen Eagles and large hawks – a really big red-headed woodpecker.
While we are country – we are about two miles to three different grocery stores –
multiple bars and grills and many other shops.
AND – we are on the mainland side of the ICW and minutes away from Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset beach.
In other words – I think we have it all right here!
The ongoing build of our community center – pool and pickleball courts.
We all are hoping for a SPRING finish date – a place to gather – exercise and relax by the pool.
Until that is finished – we have had a few get together’s at outside sources –
The latest outside was at Rivers Edge Golf Course in Shallotte N.C.
And then we had a DRIVEWAY COCKTAIL PARTY at Diane and Steve’s house at the bottom of Waterway and Lindley.
The invites were neighborhood-wide through the Cameron Woods Community Facebook site.
About 24 neighbors gathered – on a cool night – the fires were welcome for warmth.
OH YEAH! manny naughty desserts and snack foods were present!
It was a chilly high ’50’s evening.
There were trays of JELLO-SHOTS – here are two of the four going around!
After an hour – all that was left of the JELLO-SHOTS!
We are a mixture of retirees – work from home – second homes – still working – to full-timers!
Cameron Woods is almost done with Phase Two – and an even larger Phase Three will begin under the new company LENNAR! There is guess’s that will not end there as some of the new roads in the next phase ends at the tree lines! No Cul-De-Sac – just like it will continue on!
PHASE ONE COMPLETE – PHASE TWO ALMOST DONE – ??!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY – OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD – 28469 – N.C.
WESTERN SKY AT NIGHT LOOKING TO END OF STREET WHERE PHASE THREE IS SOON TO BEGIN
WHEN NEIGHBORS GET TOGETHER – PEDICURES ARE DISCUSSED! LOL
CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY – looking forward to more neighbors’ meet and greets!
PAPA’S WORLD – MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Our granddaughter – number 13 – she deked this player out and went right past her!
She is now a Junior at the Unversiy of Lynchburg in Va. Starting the last two years – and only one loss this season – currently sole possession of first place in their conference.
Papa – Maddy Myers – Sherry
This young lady not only starts and plays most of the entire games – but is a ALL ACADEMIC –
Into hiking – sunrises – and her major is Enviromental Engineering.
And coming down the soccer pipe line – is the youngest and only boy – BODE!
Will soon turn eight and already golfs with his dad – is all boy – bikes – running –
always looks at trucks – barefooted while outside – cold weather and all.
Loves and adores his older cousin Ella who as a Freshmen at Randolph College –
starts at midfield and plays most of the whole games.
I believe Bode will be the same!
FAMILY
Beyond those protected trees is our backyard and our home!
This drainage ditch is at the end of the cul de sac –
and allows the runoff to make its way to a very large second pond in the development.
We have seen a gator in each pond!
And we found some unknown tracks in this ditch going back and forth.
I told Sherry not to get too close to the high grass as we also have snakes around here.
Just down the street – two houses – two pictures were taken in the road –
A small gator was on its way to a third pond up the road and a large copperhead was also there.
Not at the same time – but N.C, has them both where we live.
I have also seen a very large black snake – which are good as they kill the copperheads!
All part of living in the South near the marsh and beaches!
Cassidy and Marley on football game day!
At least three times a week – she either calls her MorMor or zooms!
Sherry is MorMor – Swedish for Mothers- Mother!
She is very close to her and is the one who does not want us to leave
or asks when we are coming again.
She is sweet – but also very determined and head strong.
Marley is the new puppy – a GoldenDoodle –
who judging by her legs and feet – is going to be very large!
She is loving – likes to run and pull her leash – Taylor – Cassidy’s sister –
is the one who handles her the best.
She nips and chases both Bode and Cassidy!
Our front porch in October – Low 80’s to high 70’s in the daytime
low 70’s at night – beautiful weather – slight warm breezes – why we moved here!
Front porch sitting early morning with my coffee on this glider!
Protected from the sun and rain when it blows the other way.
I told Sherry – we had to have a front porch and this is one of the models
along with a office room – that was available!
The office was her wish list!
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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS THE FRIENDS! email: fitztdf@aol.com
A large piece of driftwood sits on a sand dune just above the mailbox – dedicated to the man who put it there some four and one half decades ago – along with another hippie female friend.
We had read about this famous mailbox – several books have been written about it –
It is a 1.4 mile walk South on what is called Bird Island – an nature preserve –
located on the Southern half of Sunset Beach in N.C.
I am not sure if this is the other half – the lady friend of Frank – but this is one of two benches next to the mailbox – a place to sit and think and write your thoughts in the journal provided in the mailbox.
The large piece of driftwood with the plaque – overlooking the nature preserve – there are trails back in there to explore – walk in silence with only the breeze – the calling of the birds and the surf .
Papa – at the entrance to the benches and mailbox – waiting as another guest takes her picture.
I can not even imagine how all those years ago – they managed to carry everything here to install the mailbox!
The KINDRED SPIRIT mailbox and benches – this is maintained by persons unknown – has been all these years – and replaced many times as the old ones have slowly eroded away.It is a lonely spot – yet so many people walk here everyday and leave there writings and thoughts –
throught the years – those journals have been preserved and are considered historical writings –
and are preserved in a museum! I do not know which one but I plan to find out.
The view behind the mailbox at the top of the sand dune – the nature preserve and in the distance –
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH – when on Sunset Beach – go South and I think at 40th. street – the end –
just find a place to park alongside the road – be sure your tires are completly off the pavement – and if a bike path off that also.
Then find the beach access and come to a sign at the beach – it tells you the distance to the mailbox and further down the beach – the jetty and the mouth of the river – where the Casino boats from Little River enter the ocean – going out to the International border line to gamble.
THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX
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Our life has moved on – left behind memories of our former church – just as we did 22 years ago.
Each one holds a special place in our hearts – the first where we were married –
the second where we found a home and friends.
And now the journey begins – another one near our new home.
The stain glassed window – the same as in our last church – a reminder of friends and services – memories!
Right now – this is our future choice – Saint Lukes Lutheran Church
in Ocean Isle Beach right on route 17.
We have to call to be put on the list each Sunday – because of covid restrictions.
But – we were welcomed and social distancing practiced.
Time will tell if we have found a new place to worship –
one that is but 4 plus miles from our new house being built,
Our first time inside the roof and walls of a place of worship in over 13 months.
We left the service and drove to the new house build –
The windows and doors are all installed – the roof is done and almost all the siding and outside trim is done.
Driving up – the beautiful stacked stone is all done!
Our first view of the siding and the stacked stone and the outside trim.
A closer look – the front porch and the garage – the front door and the front bedroom.
This will be my place to sit – the covered front porch – I had told Sherry when selecting which house to build – I must have what we had back in NVA – for I loved sitting on the front porch in the rain or just talking to people walking past!
I have always loved front porches – we had a large one as I was growing up –
I would spend hours on it watching the cars go by with my mother –
Talking to people as they walked by – everyone knew “MARY”
and would call out to her or honk their horns –
I am most like her in tat way!
The two car garage – which will have pull down stairs and storage overhead!
Our thoughts on this – have shelves with towels as the outside water bib is just to the left of the corner.
That way – when coming back from the beach – a place to wash off the sand!
Second thoughts we have discussed – putting a enclosed white vinyl fence with a gate –
And a tank less water heater – for a place to shower – as a third shower for the house if we have lots of company!
I have seen them all over down here – really nice with a place to sit and a place to hang clothes and towels!
On our wish list along with taking the screens out of the enclosed covered patio and glass it in with sliding windows!
It has been a adventure these past six plus months.
Building a new home – and moving South!
But – the electric is done as is the plumbing – they are starting the insulation and then the dry wall.
We are excited – and ready to move in and begin out next phase of our new chapter.
Going to miss our view – but we will have pictures and memories!
THE VIEW FROM THE CONDO – WE ARE BLESSED!
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SHERRY: CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH Home based business with The Juice Plus Company (15 years)
The pier in the distance – we went in and grab something to eat and just sat and enjoyed the view!
We knew Ocean Isle Beach was a eight minute drive from the new house- without heavy traffic.
Now – it was time to see just how far the other beach – Sunset Beach – was from the new house.
So – we drove and it was 13 minutes!
About five minutes longer in no traffic!
So – there you are – two beaches to choose from – and if we want – we can go back to NMB –
some 30 minutes away – with no traffic.
We checked out the parking as we understand that in the busy part – this could determine where we go!
They have pay parking – which you can pay a set price for the year –
and – like the other beach – off the road parking –
but we were told to be careful on that – if you do not do it right –
like blocking the bike path or sidewalk –
you will get a fine!
The other direction on Sunset Beach which we were told was voted one of the top ten beaches in the country! And it really is nice – time will tell if we like it more that either of the other two beaches!
It was a very windy day on the sand – so we decided not to walk the beach –
but rather see where we can walk among the streets and houses.
We did find a path to walk – while not going on the sand –
and could see we could easily get our three mile walk in!
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WHERE FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS – FRIENDS MEET FAMILY!
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MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Sherry – too much wind – another entrance too the beach – CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH!
Every morning when the sun rises – we get to see this!
This view is what first got my attention when I was looking for a place to rent!
I came across it and right away I called to Sherry –
“How would you like to live here for a while” ?
It took maybe one minute to decide – this is where we will go until we find another place!
We have now been here – at this time of writing – early January – some 13 weeks!
And – expecting our house to be done – the end of June!
But – that view is not all – we can walk to this every day!
The other reason is the walk to the beach –
a little over 1/2 mile and we are standing here.
Although the clouds roll in and out –
very few times have we not been able to walk with rain ruining it!
Plus – we are so close to other trails – nature – we can explore.
We are building a house – in the long run – it was about the same as buying one already built!
In our price range.
And – we will still be close to this – one half hour away!
The area we choose is in N.C. 15 miles away.
There we are close to two other beaches!
Ocean Isle Beach ( which is the address) and Sunset Beach.
Both about 4 and 6 miles away!
Although we will not see this on our walks – we will have a entirely different view.
The skies here are wonderful – different each day – I always notice skies where ever we are!
Just above the fountain – two black dots – the SWANS have returned – they come and go!Looking back toward the beach entrance – and .66 miles away – our rented condo!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
The wonder of the surf while working her business by phone! http://www.sf.juiceplus.com from anywhere in 21 countries!
FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
The skies of North Myrtle Beach – where we live-walk!
Papa – walking the beach – after spending Christmas in NVA!
When we moved 21 years ago – from Western New York –
to Northern Va. my thought was we are now in the South!
We actually picked up another four to six weeks of better weather
on either side of winter!
We liked the area – going into Washington DC on a regular basis.
We purchase three homes while there – two that we actually built.
We had most of our family follow us there.
But – it still got cold and three times –
an accumulation of snow greater than in all the 50 years we lived in the snow belt!
You can change your looks – but mother nature does what it wants to do!Although I am not going into the water – 2 days before New Years eve – people in the water on North Myrtle Beach!
Now – we are calling this home until our home we are building if finished
some time in the next 4 to 6 months!
The first thing we did the next day after returning HOME – was do our walk on the beach!
Home has a different meaning now – and we have become comfortable now here.
Enough that when you have that yearning to go back home
visions of what awaits you run through your mind!
We both have always been drawn to the surf – beach – water and sand.
While dating almost 40 years ago – we spent a week in the outer banks
with my brother and some of his friends.
That is when our bond for the ocean became a fixed state in our minds.
Our Vacations revolved around different trips with our children
to beaches up and down the East coast!
It was a fun time in our early life together – the kids remember and have carried on the tradition of beach vacations!
Cindy Sherry Buck on the green – now to select where we are putting from
We have decided to build a house – in the long run –
it will work out the same or cheaper than buying!
The market keeps going up for resales on houses
and we can build and have brand new for the same!
Cindy and Sherry – down the middle is normal for them – Cindy getting yardage to the pin!
And we will build right across the road from this and three other courses
in what is called Cameron Woods!
In fact within a 5 mile radius –
20 golf courses and two beaches
Ocean Isle beach and Sunset beach.
We had searched and searched – condos – houses- apartments
and by chance we found this – and the model –
Sherry once again had her dream home!
And it knocked off about 45 minutes for the drive back to NVA!
Sherry hitting off the middle to the green – water to the left!
All we are waiting for now is the plans to be final
and then a meeting with the construction manager
to go over those plans
and then a start and probable finish date
4 to 6 months start to finish!
By the time you are reading this
we will have already done that!
Buck and me – it was a great time to golf with friends on a very good course – to think there are three more in here and it is a mile from where we will live!Cindy hitting fro the fairway to the green!
We love this area – the drive to both beaches is less than 15 minutes
Shopping is 6 minutes
Calabash is 15 minutes
and Route 17 is ten minutes.
Our friends house is about 30 to 40 minutes
And a lot of places to dine out on the I.C.W.!
We have extended our stay where we are until the end of June
hoping that the build will be done
We have to buy furniture and move what we have in storage
down here.
Cindy – Buck – Papa – Sherry we are golfing regular now – mostly with our friends – whom we have golfed with for about 30 years!A lot of the golf cart paths run through the sand – we saw no gators but not sure if they are here or not – but saw signs for snakes!Cindy and Sherry discussing their next shot as we let a twosome play through – these ladies are serious and hard to tie!
We did not want to go farther South –
we wanted a temperate climate
and still be 7 hours to home!
Bridge to number 18 – the final hole with waterfall!
We have found that place here – among the golf courses and beaches
but still only a 30 minute drive to North Myrtle Beach
Looking North on Sunset BeachLooking South on Sunset Beach
This beach a few years ago –
was voted one of the top beaches in the country.
And – judging by the number of people here
in the off season – I can see why.
This entrance had bathrooms – water to wash off
and looked really inviting.
Selfie at SUNSET BEACH!
But since this was a day trip
we only stopped to check it out
parking in the Summer might be a problem as well as traffic!
Time to reflect – time to look around – our dream is real!
On to our next beach destination
OCEAN ISLES BEACH N.C.
This area is a target of where we might end up!
It is only 40 minutes to our friends house in Magnolia Greens
and right in the heart of so many fine golf courses!
Plus in 30 minutes or less
we are right back in North Myrtle Beach!
Over the causeway to Ocean Isles Beach
largely a residential beach
buy what you want BEFORE you cross the causeway!
But – I like this area better than Sunset Beach!
Looking North along the beach
no where as crowded in the off season as Sunset Beach!
Looking South along the beach
and the sand is not hot on your feet!
There might also be a problem in parking as I noticed few lots
but parking was encouraged to park off the road
but alongside of the road.
Public access was plentiful but not as nice as
Sunset beach – just paths between houses.
A cup of coffee – sitting on the beach
we will return here as it is peaceful
no high buildings
Bathrooms might be a problem!
Our early morning walk on North Myrtle Beach!
If we could find a place here – we would.
It is that nice.
We continue to look –
Rising early to see the sun
And then the beginning of our three mile walk on the beach
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
Someday soon we will make a moonlit visit to the beach!
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!
AND FAMILY MEET THE FRIENDS!
Sherry – about to begin her walk – with her phone behind her back – doing her Network Marketing business as she walks – living the dream because of what she does!
I 