The Kindred Spirit Mailbox

Papa’s World – Walking 1 1/2 miles to the Kindred Spirit!

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At the end of the street on Sunset Beach – SW end

Is a long walkway and a handicapped ramp to the beach.

This is the beginning of BIRD ISLAND and the end of residential SUNSET BEACH!

Other than the pier some 1/2 mile to the NE –

It is here that you can begin your walk to the KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX –

Almost a mile and one half down the beach.

There are no more houses –

Only large sand dunes and the other side is marsh –

And a sanctuary for wildlife,

This is known as “BIRD ISLAND”!

It is a quiet walk and in warm weather –

Wading in the surf helps to keep you cool off!

As you near the end of the one-and-one-half-mile walk –

A sort of gradual sand ramp marks the –

“KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX” location.

Two benches await you to sit and –

watch the surf –

and write in the journal.

The walk is easy as it is level –

Much more so than OIB!

Here you can see other walkers –

already at the mailbox.

This has been the location for over four decades –

When a “HIPPIE COUPLE” –

carried everything needed to install a mailbox-

And placed a journal and ink pen or pencil inside-

For folks to walk here –

And stand on top of the dune –

Glance out to sea or turn around –

and see over the marsh and causeway to –

Little River and Cherry Grove in NMB!

Walk to the top of the dune behind the “KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX” –

And you will find a large driftwood mass –

With a plaque on it dedicating this spot to those two individuals.

We have been here many times –

Stopped and wrote our thoughts in the journal-

Which is collected by volunteers –

And sent to the University Of S.C. –

To preserve as a way to keep all the writings for people to see.

Sherry is about to climb the sand ramp to the mailbox-

A lone individual looking for shells at the surf edge-

It is a quiet moment –

The old mailboxes have been replaced –

over the years-

But new generations make the peaceful walk down the beach.

Two hippies and a mailbox-

Left us something for generations to come –

“THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX”

Thanks for reading-

A rare event of snow on the sand.

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Uplifting good thoughts!

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My uplifting thoughts for the day – Enjoy –

While many of you do not know this picture

It sits atop a high dune on Sunset Beach,

Bird Island,

at the SW end of the beach.

It has a plaque on it –

And the snow is very rare!

In memory of the two people responsible for installing the

KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX decades ago!

Now – it looks like this –

But over the decades that old mailbox –

has been replaced many times.

Inside is a journal that when full of written thoughts –

Has been retrieved by volunteers over the years –

And sent to S.C. University-

to be preserved for the history of all the people-

who have written down their thoughts on the journals’ pages.

There also are two benches to sit and meditate –

or write in the journals with a view of the waves –

on the sandy beach.

This was because two hippies those many decades ago –

lugged all the items needed down the beach –

and put them in that first mailbox.

Today the Kindred Spirit Mailbox remains a testament to those two

With plaques with their names on the benches!

Here is a good vibe and good thought for the day!

A word for you on what you have become!

Enjoy the day and count the blessings!

In one of the many ponds in Cameron Woods Community –

Resides an alligator.

It is large and getting bigger.

Most times it resides in the middle of the pond.

While we keep a watchful eye on its whereabouts –

I am more concerned about keeping that watchful eye for snakes!

Yes – we do have them-

and a couple different ones are poisonous!!!

But – that is part of living on the eastern coast of N.C – S.C.

Along with Red Wolves – Turkeys – Bob Cats –

Deer – Racoons – Bear and many other animals.

Nature is my good vibe for the day.

I tend to focus every day-

on the positive side of life in general

Being in our senior years –

life is too short-

to dwell on negatives.

HERE IS A SALUTE TO POSITIVE VIBES!

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World –

SUBSCRIBE: IT’S FREE!!!!!

Papa’s World – Good vibes – some Humor!

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Footprints in the sand –

Waves gently washing ashore – Soon they will disappear –

Erasing all proof that I strolled here!

The history of humans –

Over time disappears –

Occasionally – to reappear –

And cause us to wonder –

What has been all these tens of thousands of years ago!

I may be a history buff –

Excited to view new discoveries.

A Good Vibe for today is I feel we have existed –

For hundreds of thousands of years as humans.

Today – I celebrate that existence.

GOOD VIBES and HUMOR!

Laughter with long-time friends is PRICELESS!

Smile – laugh and feel good!

You are looking at FORTY PLUS YEARS of friendship!

Wine – beer – music and golf!

Friendships are a priority in our life together.

GOOD VIBES – SOME HUMOR!

There is a place about one and one half mile walk south –

from the Sunset Beach Pier!

It is a memorial to two Hippie Souls –

Who over FORTY YEARS AGO-

Hauled tools – a post and a mailbox to the middle of the seashore that is protected.

here they erected a mailbox and put a journal inside.

While over the years –

the mailbox has been replaced –

It still is a destination for souls who walk and write their thoughts in the new journals.

There now are two park benches to sit on –

Plaques to commemorate the two hippies.

A driftwood tree with a plaque sits high on the dune behind the benches and mailbox.

You gaze back across the marsh and water to Little River, S.C. –

And in the distance is Cherry Grove- just a short walk from NMB!

THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX IS HISTORIC AND THE JOURNALS ARE PRESERVED!

Over four decades’ worth of writing!

If you want a GOOD VIBE – consider the walk – in the surf –

and sit and write and gaze out to sea!

We have done it serval times and each time a wanting to come back exists.

MY GOOD VIBE FOR TODAY!

As the sun rises in the East on Ocean Isle Beach –

another day dawns.

We are blessed to be here to see this –

Our dream of living our dream is now here.

One day at a time and living life to the fullest while aging as healthy as we can.

Being a SENIOR – it happens but we choose to live it and smile- BE HAPPY!

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Reflection in Memories!

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Tammy is in the middle-

with the twins Taylor on the left and Cassidy on the right!

The twins were born on Tammy’s birthday –

making a set of three in celebrations!

How cool is that!!!!!

Now 14 the twins are in eighth grade.

Taylor loves horses and works in a barn.

Cassidy does cheerleading and gymnastics –

Both excel in school and play the violin!

REFLECTIONS IN MEMORIES!

The Kinzua Bridge –

is located just outside Mount Jewett, Pa.

where Sherry was raised in her youth.

This is a historical railroad bridge,

half of which was toppled in a tornado.

Today it is a state park –

but she has many memories here.

Her father rode his snowmobile across this before it toppled over!

REFLECTIONS IN MEMORIES!

A sunrise at Tammy and Marcus’ house outside Leesburg, Va.

Frost on the ground –

fire pit for early evenings under the stars!

REFLECTIONS OF MEMORIES!

Moon rising on Ocean Isle Beach-

while we were sitting for the nest protection of Sea Turtles!

evenings on the beach –

warm breezes –

stars – good company –

Volunteering – life on the beach!

RELECTIONS OF MEMORIES!

Kindness – love – peace and hope!

REFLECTIONS OF MEMORIES!

Troy – Papa – Shawn –

spending time with my sons!

REFLECTIONS OF MEMORIES!

The KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX ON SUNSET BEACH/BIRD ISLAND.

Many memories reflected here over the years,

A journal awaits you inside the mailbox to write your thoughts!

A place to sit and reflect.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

REFLECTIONS OF MEMORIES!

Papa’s World – Pictures of life!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Shawn – my youngest son –

during a visit he made two summers ago.

PICTURES OF LIFE!

Friends – I am fortunate that I still have contact with my childhood friend-

Sherry – Papa – Bobby and Pam – his wife!

PICTURES OF LIFE!

I like to write my blogs so that they bring the above.

There is enough negative news out there –

I love history – ancient finds and SY-FY!

We have made and still stay in touch with many friends.

Sharing our life here near the beaches is a dream come true for us.

FAMILY – FRIENDS – NEIGHBORS and SOCIAL GATHERINGS –

these are what my blogs reflect.

Staying true to my values – those of our families and friends!

PAPA’S WORLD is a window into those values.

Bode – who soon will turn ten years old –

He was the first boy born on Sherry’s side of the family.

Bode – here on turning nine years old – now is ten years old.

PICTURES OF LIFE!

Mother and Daughters –

PICTURES OF LIFE!

Night time picture on Ocean Isle Beach of the Moon and Surf.

PICTURES OF LIFE!

The “KINDRED SPIRIT ” mailbox on the far Western end of Sunset Beach is known as Bird Island.

Here is where many – many years ago – a hippie and his girlfriend –

Carried a mailbox and shovels to install the top of a dune.

They put in a journal for people to write their thoughts.

All these years later – after many replacements –

It still sits there, with two benches and a memorial to these two people.

Well worth the 1 1/2 mile walk to sit and just observe behind the dune and the sand and surf.

The journals are kept and today new ones are supplied for future generations.

THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX!

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

Papa’s World – A dream of living near “BEACHES”!

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We both love the BEACH – with its sunrises and sunsets!

Walking the surf – toes in the sand and cold water to sip on!

Our life now consists of two beaches that are close – one four miles and one six miles!

When we were first married – our dreams were beach vacations – but that was not always an option!

Money – we had to save what we could – taking four kids to the beach was expensive.

Our first “FAMILY” vacation was to a rental – off the beach – at Lake Erie!

I really do not remember much about the house – it was one level – sat on a bluff with lots of trees- and you could walk to an overlook and down below and see a small rock-strewed beach.

The boys would go down the side to the beach – the girls not so much.

Later – we would pack up and drive to the beach in New Jersey – having picnics on the way –

saving as much money as we could – Sherry was excellent at that!

The Outer Banks was our later goal in life and we managed to do that with friends and their families-

later my brother and sister and their families.

Today – here we are – Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach – within minutes we are on the beaches!

We also are within a half hour to forty-five minutes of Holden Beach – Oak Island –

and North Myrtle Beach!

Our dreams have come to be – we are now living the “BEACH LIFE” while on the mainland-

away from the storms – Hurricanes can and do have an effect on us –

But – we will deal with it at the time.

Ocean Isle Beach and the pier – this beach is not as flat as Sunset Beach –

but this beach also has a community center with bathrooms – outdoor showers – and free parking!

The Community Center has a large open-air covered porch with many picnic tables.

There is a nice beach entrance and a large volleyball net and court.

This beach is also where we shell hunt and the month of April is known for the large Counch shells!

There also is a large park with a stage and live music all summer long!

There are more places to eat and ice cream – slushes and stores here!

Sunset Beach is my favorite beach to walk on – it is flat and easier to walk – we often go here –

They also have live music on Thursdays with the band on the pier and you set up below on the beach!

It also turns into Bird Island – a protected area and where the “KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX” –

This is a mile and one-half walk from the pier –

and has been there for over forty years!

Two benches and the mailbox sit up near the top of a dune.

There are plaques for remembering those who first put this here and a large piece of driftwood-

with a plaque in honor of those two people all the years ago.

In the mailbox is a journal and a pen for you to sit down and leave a message.

these are collected-

and are at a University for recording the history of “THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX”!

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

PAPA’S WORLD – A DREAM OF LIVING NEAR THE BEACHES!

Papa’s World – A pictorial on family memories!

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On the West end of Sunset Beach – Bird Island – sits a MAILBOX –

On the outside are the LETTERS – KINDRED SPIRIT – and inside are a pen and journal.

This is a 1 1/4 mile walk from the last beach entrance –

and no houses – just dunes – sand and surf.

Put your imagination to a test – this must be what it looked like hundreds of years ago.

This mailbox – or one just like it – was put here over 40 years ago by a hippie and his girlfriend.

It was a favorite spot up on the dunes – where one can see in the distance Cherry Point.

The journal is collected by volunteers and turned over to I believe a University –

where they have been stored all these years – and all the paragraphs are written all these years by thousands of visitors.

A tribute to two people who have passed on – a couple benches to sit on –

a large piece of driftwood sits on top of the sand dune with a plaque –

as well as plaques on the bench.

“THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX” A walking destination of SUNSET BEACH-BIRD ISLAND”!

Sherry on OHAU – an unforgettable trip –

We have both said we want to go back and the next time take in the BIG ISLAND!

We traveled all over OHAU –

Exploring the whole island and staying at an AIRBNB on the North Shore.

A time in a picture bringing back unforgettable memories!

BETSY – our neighbor’s SWEET DOG – her whole body would wag as they came toward you.

Leaning against your leg you scratched behind her ears.

SWEET BETSY passed away – always to be remembered in our minds and pictures.

She would lay in the yard in the sun or shade –

never leaving and seldom barking –

She made little guttural sounds of joy when you petted her or we would watch her

while they were gone –

Waiting at the door and rubbing against us – so happy to see us.

RIP SWEET BETSY!

Pam and Bob – my grade school best friend and still friends after all these years.

So many stories I could tell her in those early years of growing up –

in a little town in NWPA in the Allegheny Mountains near the NYS border –

where in NYS – the drinking age was 18 vs 21 in Pa.

Camping out – roaming the streets – playing sports –

Canoe trips down the river for overnight camping.

A picture for me brings back all those memories –

FRIENDS FOR LIFE – now if we could just play golf! LOL!

A perfect picture on a very snowy day across the street at the park-sled riding hill –

at our house in Brambleton, Va.

Tammy and Marcus and Taylor and Cassidy –

they had sold their home and stayed with us until they moved into their new home.

I feel this picture is like a HALLMARK PICTURE!

The twins are now teenagers but here is a reminder of when they were young!

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

PAPA’S WORLD – A PICTORIAL OF FAMILY MEMORIES!

Papa’s World – Years of Memories!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Near us on Sunset Beach – Bird Island – sits the “KINDRED SPIRIT” mailbox –

a 2 1/2 mile walk from the pier South toward the sanctuary of dunes and marshland.

A HIPPIE and his girlfriend carried a mailbox and pole down the beach some 40 or 50 years ago.

Here – up on a dune above the tide line – they dug a hole and inserted the pole and the mailbox

and named THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX with a ledger and pen or pencil inside –

people would hike the deserted beach and leave their thoughts written down on the ledger.

Now all these years later and many new mailboxes and posts later –

two benches have been added – a large piece of driftwood sits on top of the sand dune with a metal plaque honoring both of these people.

And to this day – me included – I have sat there and put a note in the current notebook journal.

I was told that those journals have been collected and donated to a museum –

All these years – THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX represents the hopes and dreams

all started by a HIPPIE and GIRLFRIEND!

A mother ( Sherry ) and her two daughters (Debby and Tammy) are so alike – generations –

Sherry – from Mount Jewett, Pa. – A Swedish community settled in the 1800’s.

Both daughters followed us to NVA from NYS – and remained in NVA with their families.

Both helped their mother form TEAM GENERATIONS – which is her Juice Plus Team –

For over 18 years teaching health and nutrition through healthy eating.

Now passing that down through the six grandchildren –

thus forming “TEAM GENERATIONS” for future families to come.

Our final home – this being the third one we have built and now in Ocean Isle Beach –

CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY –

Situated on the mainland side of the ICW –

We are four miles to OIB and six miles to Sunset Beach.

Eight miles to the border of N.C. and S.C.

A thirty minute drive to North Myrtle Beach and a fifthteen minute drive to Shallotte and Calabash.

We also are in the middle of over 30 golfcourse within 1/2 hour drive.

Our dream has come true!

Before Sarah – Maddy and Ella – now 23 and 20 years old.

Ella is in her Junior year of college –

Playing soccer all three years and captain this past year.

Maddy played all four years and captain her senior year.

Ella will have two degrees when finished –

Maddy graduated with a Enviomental Science degree and is now employed in one of the largest environment firms in the country as a Gelogist-Scientist!

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

PAPA’S WORLD – YEARS OF MEMORIES.