Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Home from the Beach


George and I had a wonderful vacation at Ocean Isle Beach (North Carolina). The weather was absolutely PERFECT. After having an icy trip to Arkansas in March and then a stormy, severe weather trip to Texas in April, we didn't know what was ahead for us at the beach this year... BUT---third time (trip) is charm!!! We couldn't have asked for better weather. It only rained twice (once during the night and the other at 8 a.m, and that one was over quickly and the sun was back out)!!!! AND---the temperatures were great --with not much humidity!!!! Awesome!!


Needless to say, we had plenty of time to enjoy the beach and the sun. AND---we also enjoyed lots of delicious FRESH seafood!!!!! We slept with our door open--and hearing the waves made for some great sleeping!!! We collected shells, took walks, and took NAPS during the daytime. This was truly a VACATION.


Here are some pictures for you. Above is George standing at the Islander Inn where we stayed. Below are more.







This is the view of the beach from our room. You can see part of the doons in this picture. See that shrimp boat out there???? I'm sure it was bringing dinner for us!!!!







This is the Islander Inn. This year our room was on the 1st floor (above the parking area). We were in the next to the last building from the left end.







Here is a close-up of some of the units at Islander Inn. There are seven buildings and we were in Building Six. This picture shows Buildings Two and Three. The outdoor pool is below Building Two. You can see the chairs at the pool area.







This is the pool at the Islander Inn. We sat by the pool once---but we really prefer being down on the beach. The Islander Inn also has an indoor pool, a hot tub, and an exercise room. They provide breakfast for the guests each morning. We LOVE this place!!!!







This is the front side of Islander Inn. You can see our car parked under our building. Each building has five rooms on each of the two floors. Three are oceanfronts and two are not. We always get an oceanfront room.







Isn't this a neat view of the beach??? Until this year, we used to go toward the middle and end of May. This year we decided to go the first of May. Great Decision!!!!! There were very few people around last week (until the weekend). George and I don't enjoy being in a busy tourist area --where there are tons of people. We felt as if the entire beach was just OURS last week!!!







We took a late-afternoon walk to the pier. Of course, we searched for shells all along the way. Note that George has a shell in his right hand.







Here's a happy beach-lover standing at the fishing pier.







Here's another picture of the beach---taken from our balcony.









Doesn't that water just look wonderful????? This really is a fabulous beach---and if you want some 'action'--Myrtle Beach is not that far south of here.







How many pictures of the beach/ocean do you want to see?????? ha ha..... We took a blue-million I think!!!!

Well--as I say after all trips, it's GREAT to get home. Tomorrow I'll show you some of the 'pretties' in our yard now. We even have one rose in bloom!!!!!!



Hope you all had a good week. We missed you!!!! Happy Belated Mother's Day!!!
Hugs,

49 comments:

Kim said...

So lovely Betsy and between the pictures and your narrative I feel as if I were there. The ocean is gorgeous and I am envious of all of that local, fresh seafood you got to enjoy.

Unknown said...

Welcome Home Betsy! Yes I did miss you as a matter of fact! The beach looks so peaceful and ya'll look happy and rested!!

RA said...

It's great to have you back, Betsy :). I missed you, too. I'm happy to read that you had an awesome vacation. Those are stunning photos! What a wonderful place to visit. I'm missing your wonderful garden though, and it's good to see some of your flowers and birds again. Hugs from Indonesia.

RA said...

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot: Happy Belated Mother's Day :)!

Cedar ... said...

I agree,... always a beachfront room! Did you explore the dunes? Glad you had a great time!

Neal said...

It sounds like you had a great time. I really love seafood. I'm not much of a water person but I may try something like that one of these days.

jlshall said...

Wow, looks like you had a great vacation. Those are wonderful shots and really make me want to get back to the beach!

T said...

First, Happy Mother's Day Betsy!

Ok - all those gorgeous beach pictures are NOT helping my need for some beach time! lol

Beautiful, just beautiful. It's looks like you guys had a wonderful and relaxing vacation.

Meems said...

Hi Betsy,
Welcome home.Sounds like you love the beach as much as I do. So wonderful to get away and breathe in that ocean air. We LOVE the beach in May. It is a perfect time to go... no crowds and the weather usually cooperates just before the thunderstorms start their routine. Looks like you've found the place to be too, for what makes you enjoy it most. My favorite vacations are "rest" vacations.

BTW, You can click here for the beach photos you asked me about.
Welcome back hugs to you,
Meems

Diane AZ said...

Welcome home! Finally you had some good weather. Looks like a beautiful place where you and George stayed. Your beach pictures are gorgeous. Glad you had a great time!

Harriet said...

Great to have you back and so glad you had a good vacation. Looks very nice there.
I have given you the 2009 Friendly Blogger award. You can pick it up at Genealogy Fun.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Looks like a great place to stay. I love your photos and you probably have a backlog of captures from your trip.

Becky said...

I am glad the weather worked for you on this trip. I love he beach in early May. Great Pics.

penny said...

Simply delightful photos, Betsy. I'm glad you and George had such a fabulous trip.
Have a wonderful day:)

Shelley said...

Glad you're home! But also glad you had a wonderful time and that the weather cooperated! That beach looks so beautiful - I would love to take a walk down there, picking seashells - sounds great! And the place you stayed at looks lovely! You and George sure know how to have a good time!!! :-)

Arkansas Patti said...

Welcome back and so glad the weather was cooperating for you. About time. The beach scenes are wonderful and especially since no people cluttered up the shots. Off season makes perfect sence.
Sleeping with doors and windows open, how wonderful was that?

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

WELCOME BACK!!!
It is fabulous to have you back on the blog.Your vacation sounds lovely.The pictures dhow a beautiful place.
Blessings and Hugs,Ruth

Jen said...

Welcome home Betsy.
It is nice to be able to go on vacation while it's not in season and avoid the crowds.
Fantabulous pictures of the beach-your view is priceless!

George said...

Thanks for a wonderful vacation? Can we go again next year?

Judy said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time and this place looks like such a great place to vacation. We may check it out next year! The photos are great.

Anonymous said...

Oh It looks like you guys really had a great time & yes, that water looks sooo pretty - I'd love to walk around in the sand for a while, too!

That pool sure looks inviting too.
You two just look so happy!
Welcome home & I'm glad to see you guys are safe!

God bless!

Anonymous said...

Awww George's comment brought tears to my eyes! He's sooooo sweeeeet!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I love all the beach shots...so pretty with the dunes and some grass in there!!! Did you swim in the ocean??? too cold??? Looks cold to me!!!
Glad you had fun, the hotel looks just perfect.
Suz

bookbabie said...

What a great place to stay, and so glad you had nice weather. There's nothing worse than going on a beach vacation and having it be rainy and cold, welcome home!

Pigeon said...

I'm glad you had such a nice vacation. Welcome home.

Anonymous said...

Welcome home! And it looks like you brought the sunshine with you. I love your photos and can tell you had a wonderful time.

Anonymous said...

OK, Betsy,
You sold me. We have reservations there beginning this weekend. :)
Donna

Carol Murdock said...

Your back, Willow's back, I'm back and it seems we all had a great time on our trips!!!
Great pictures! I like an uncrowed beach also!
Carol

Rose said...

I am glad you had a great time--and happy for your safe trip home.

Cicero Sings said...

Glad you are home safe and sound, that you had a good time. You both look so cheery in your yellow shirts! What were you trying to do? Outshine the sunshine!! Lucky, lucky you to be at the beach.

Diane said...

There's nothing like the smell of the ocean. Welcome home.

Clara....in TN said...

Betsy, I'm glad you had a good time. It makes me want to go. I love to go in May and September. We have reservations for Va. Beach this coming Sept. I just hope Bill is able to go. I love your beach pictures and the place where you stayed looks like my kind of place. My birds are gone and I didn't get any more pictures. One morning when I walked out on the porch...all five of them few away at one time. I don't know if they had been practicing or not, but they sure could fly. It was raining that day. i hope they didn't drown. Up in the tree I could here the mother bird fussing at me.

Joy said...

I understand why you enjoyed this trip so much. The beach is beautiful and your accomodations so close looks wonderful.
Any day without humidity is a good day. (just ask my hair)
Few and far between here in Texas.



Joy

Susie said...

Glad you guys made it home safely. That looks like a great place to stay Betsy. I can see why you guys like to stay there.

We kind of like the quiet scene as well.

Thanks for sharing your pics. Loved em much.

Mary said...

Welcome home! that beach looks so inviting!

Wendy said...

Welcome home! Isn't it wonderful when you find such a neat little place for you to vacation? Our special spot was Ogunquit, Maine in the summertime. If we went on the off-season, we practically had the beach to ourselves (like your decision to go early May this year).

I love love love the ocean too. Take as many pics as you want. I'll look at them!! Even the pool looks inviting.
Glad you had a good time.

Femin Susan said...

Welcome home! That beach surely look so inviting.

I was also away,at my uncle's for a few days.
Cheers!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Looks like so much fun!! I do love shells...I am so glad you are home we missed you..m..

Leedra said...

Welcome home, glad you had good weather and a great time. The beach photos are really good, it is hard to stop snapping when it is that pretty.

Leedra’s Photos For FunLeedra’s Greeting CardsPhotography By Leedra

nanay said...

Hi! I enjoy reading your site. the pictures are so nice.

RedLan said...

I am a nature lover and I like the beach very much! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos.

Unknown said...

Great to have you back Betsy, ... and glad you enjoyed your stay at the beach. Nothing like hitting it perfect, weather and not much crowds.

lola said...

Welcome Home. I'm so glad you 2 had a wonderful vacation. It really looks like a very relaxing place.
I hope you had a lovely Mothers Day.
Will look forward to your next post.
Hugs.

Patty said...

Welcome back, the beach reminds me of VA. Beach, and since I live near their I am heading off on vacation to a differnt part of the country. We will be in Gettysburg PA at the end of the week for five days. Take care and be sure and come by my blog around the first of June, I am sure I will have loads of photos to share.

Janie said...

This looks like a great trip. What a beautiful beach! Glad you had fun.

Kirigalpoththa said...

wonderful beach!

Karin said...

Better last than never! Your post and pictures and you wonderful people make me want to go there! Great advertising for them, lol! It's so lovely that you are back!

Becca's Dirt said...

Good Morning Betsy - I couldn't believe how many comments you have this morning on this post. But then you have so many fans.

So glad your trip was so much fun. The views from your condo is breathtaking - picturesque. So glad to have you back. Yes I want more photos.

All of your travels make me want to get in my car and just go. Lack of funds prevents that for now.
Becca

Connie said...

I love going to the beach. Looks like you had a perfect vacation!