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...

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Christmas Lights in North Myrtle Beach, SC

I know you are tired of seeing Christmas lights ---so  I promise that this is my LAST Christmas post from 2010...  We were out-of-town and I missed over a week of blogging ---so I'm still trying to catch up.  ANYHOO----today I will share some pretty pictures from Barefoot Landing Shopping area in North Myrtle Beach,  South Carolina.

Barefoot Landing is built around water --so there are walkways going across the water to the different shopping areas and restaurants.  The picture was taken from one of the walkways--looking at another one.  I love the lights --and the reflections in the water.





This shows one of the walkways going across the water.   This is a very popular place most of the year.  However,  the evening we were there (just before Christmas),  most of the shops were closed.  A few restaurants around were open,  but we had the area mostly to ourselves (which was nice).





Lots of water birds live in this area. While we were walking across the walkway,  I noticed those white things in a tree on the other side... See them????  At first,  I thought they were Christmas decorations... Then we realized that they were EGRETS  sleeping in the tree...  Isn't that amazing????





George took this picture to show the beautiful flag----but  I noticed that he got another picture of the Egrets sleeping in that tree.   I just couldn't get over seeing them there.





Barefoot Landing is an 'open-air-type-mall'  with rows of all kinds of shops.  The Christmas decorations around those shops were very pretty.





There were even some Egret decorations at Barefoot Landing... Aren't they pretty???





Finally,  here is a picture of the beautiful Carousel at Barefoot Landing.  I used to call them "Merry-Go-Rounds"....   This one was closed --or else,  I would have taken a ride!!! (That's 'my' type of amusement ride.... ha ha )

Even if it's January,  I hope you enjoyed seeing the Christmas lights from Barefoot Landing.  If you ever get to North Myrtle Beach,  check out this gorgeous place.

Our snow just keeps on giving!!!!   George says that I got what I asked for.  He has cleaned the driveway 3 times and there's more snow on it today... When will it quit?????  We are home-bound since we live on a steep hill ---and are out of our daily bananas... BUT--there's plenty of food in the house and we'll catch up on the bananas if and when we ever get to the store...  Snow-Snow-Go Away.. Come Again Some Other Day!!!! ha

Hugs,

54 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful series on the Christmas lights, Betsy! I love the egret trees. Merry go rounds have always been a favorite of mine. Great photos.

ratieh said...

i've never found Christmas lights like that before in Indonesia, esp in Jakarta. -____-" they're very pretty!

Tracy said...

Hah, I still call them Merry-go-Rounds...
You needn't apologize for posting Christmas photos; shall we carry that spirit with us 365 days of the year. I love the photo of the walkway over the water and the flag. Thereis nothing like the American flag flying high; gives me chills!
I hope you are doing well...
hugs,

Anonymous said...

Morning Betsy, Those egrets are amazing! I enjoy the Christmas lights and the reflections in the water are so pretty. That sure is a lovely carousel. Thanks for sharing these pretty photos.
I heard that we will finally be warming up in the next 2 days, so maybe by the weekend we can make it out of our driveway. You two be careful and stay warm.

mamahasspoken said...

I learned something new today! Never knew that egrets slept in trees.
I still call them Merry-go-rounds too.....

Arkansas Patti said...

Always love lights on water and Christmas lights are especially beautiful.
Love that bird tree. Always wondered what Egrets did at night. Nice to know they are decorative.
I am so sorry you have turned on me about the snow. Now I wonder if that could ever happen to me. Scary thought.
Put another log on the fire and snuggle with George.

Neal said...

My favorite is the first picture. It is gorgeous! George is right as usual...you got what you asked for. :)

Ruth Hiebert said...

The lights reflected in the water is just so pretty.The live Egrets decorating the trees is beautiful.We are having more snow again today,too.I just hope we don't get wind,because that would mean blizzard,and I don't need that.
Blessings,Ruth

Beth said...

It's always enjoyable to see Christmas lights. I missed you the week you were gone from posting, so am glad you're catching us all up! ;)
The egrets sleeping and being caught on your camera is wonderful--such a gift you received that night, huh?!
I want more snow--we're back in school today and I'm dragging my heels. Difference between teacher and retired teacher!

Unknown said...

Like a child, I always enjoy seeing lights - Christmas lights! They look so happy and magical. Thanks for posting these.

Darla said...

The lights around the water looks so pretty. Thankful that you are only out of nanners.

Anonymous said...

Great photographs of the lights!

Lisa said...

We call them merry go round too!

I want to say we were there, not Barefoot Landing per se but North Myrtle Beach. We stayed I think it was Huntington Beach, near Pawley Island and drove north to Myrtle to North Myrtle which from what I could recall was newer and more high end than Myrtle. Then drove back to Charlotte through Lancaster, SC and stopped at Jomars for lunch. It was wonderful.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I've enjoyed your postings of Christmas lights, Betsy. We get to see the lights for such a short period of time each year that it's nice to stretch the season a bit on your blog. You captured so many beautiful pictures. I can imagine your fascination with seeing the egrets in the trees. They surely don't camouflage themselves very well, to they?

Out on the prairie said...

Some great shots here.I shopped all the stores and went to a bog nearby also.The egrets were a fun find.When that storm gets forecast everyone is at the store here,it can be days before you see that again. We all ask neighbors if they need anything when you can finally get out.

Karin said...

Another light filled post - absolutely lovely!! Can't get enough of lights! How exciting to find a tree full of egrets! Sure hope for your sakes that you can get out from under the snow soon! Hang in there! This too shall pass!

Sunny said...

Such pretty lights and I love the Egrets in the tree, really amazing!
We are digging out from the snow storm...think Spring!
☼ Sunny

Busy Bee Suz said...

Gorgeous lights and views Betsy.
Love seeing the egrets snoozing away.
I hope you have your fireplace going and some hot cocoa on the menu for today. Stay warm!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

You have some beautiful photos there. I love seeing the egrets "decorating" the tree. But I think my favorite photo is of the Merry-Go-Round. My daughter when little always called them Merry Rounds. :D

It's bitterly cold here, I think the temp when I got up was minus 2 degrees. Brrr. Stay warm and I hope you can get to the store for those bananas before long! I'm going to venture out after while, 'bout to have a cabin fever attack!

Small City Scenes said...

And I still call them Merry-Go-Rounds! Lovely shots. It is hard to just put away all the beautiful photos specially when one has missed a week of blogging. Never too late for pretty shots though. The Egrets in the tree are amazing. MB

Anonymous said...

That walkway across the water and the Carousel take my breath away. They are so beautiful. I think your red bird on your header is cuter than mine! lol. I have to tell you I am sick of snow and so ready for it to go away!

MadSnapper said...

there is no "law" stating you can't show christmas photos all year if you want to. these are gorgeous! i love all of them, the tree of egrets is totaly amazing. and i have loved merry go rounds all my life, they were the only ride that did not terrify me and i love horses. glad the shops were closed or your photos might have been full of PEOPLE. love this post

Pedaling said...

so pretty.

you may be out of banana's, I just hope you don't Go Banana's cooped up in the house. :)

Jen said...

Very cool about the Egrets in the trees.

The water reflections of the lights is my favorite. Nice that you guys can get away like that, and even nicer in my opinion to have the place to yourself.

Unknown said...

I've never seen birds asleep like that in a tree before!! This looks like a really lovely area to visit, the lights are lovely.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Love the egret-decorated tree!

Sharon said...

I guess the egrets have to sleep somewhere, nice that you got pictures of them!

Oh, I am so sick of snow and cold! It can go away and not come back till next year. I blame it on all the people who wanted a white Christmas, LOL!

DeniseinVA said...

Beautiful lights Betsy. I always enjoy the ones around here but these are spectacular.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Neat header with the Cardinal showing in bright red. Your snow scenes are so neat.

From the Kitchen said...

Is that the same Merry-Go-Round that has been there forever? I've ridden one at Myrtle Beach as a child.

When we lived in Charleston, we never went to Myrtle Beach. We always preferred Kiawah because of it's solitude.

Keep those Christmas pictures coming. I'm still celebrating.

Best,
Bonnie

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It is an amazing sight to see all those egrets sleeping in the trees! There were so many of them!

Barefoot Landing looked very festive at Christmas. I love its name!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I never get tired of looking at Christmas lights. In fact, I enjoy seeing them at other times of the year maybe more than at Christmas! At christmas you kind of get overloaded, but they are a nice and pretty surprise other unexpected times. I had so much to post that I didn't get most of my Christmas light pictures shown, and I am still going to do it, I don't care what month it may be!! I love the carousel, hands down my favorite picture!! I would have riden with you, Betsy!! Phil and George could have gotten on either side and pushed me up!! Ha ha!! I would have LOVED that! EGRETS!!! They are positioned like ornaments!! They don't look like birds! I suppose the next day they were gone, where did they go? Did you track them down in the day, did you see any close up? I love the egret light ornaments, they do look a bit like swans, that's what I thought at first.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, I like all of your pictures but the carousel is my favorite in addition the the U.S. Flag. We are sooo glad to have better weather here. Lots of ducks on the lake today. Have a wonderfully great day!

Cathy Kennedy said...

New to your blog, Betsy. I found you on Judy's site while playing Thursday Two Questions. I'm a Tennessee gal, too. Icouldn't resist coming over to offer some love & support. Love the lights at Myrtle Beach! Your blog header is beautiful, too! Looking forward to getting better acquainted with you.

~Cathy
http://cathykennedystories.blogspotcom

Cathy Kennedy said...

PS: How do I follow your blog? I don't see a place. Am I over looking it? Thanks!

KathyA said...

The Christmas lights are really beautiful but truthfully, I like the egrets in the tree best! That photo is remarkable!!

Diane AZ said...

Looks like a fantastic place to visit at Christmastime! I love the colorful lights and egrets. Have a great weekend and stay warm. :)

Cicero Sings said...

It has snowed here steady since about 3 A.M. The driveway has been shoveled twice already. Fortunately, the fellow doing my shower helped me both times. Whew. Had to shovel yesterday morning too. AND, the snow is not over yet. It is supposed to snow tomorrow too and maybe even the next day. -15C and I have a nice toasty fire going ... though I still feel cold!

Lovely lights to light up the holiday skies!

LV said...

Betsy, no one would ever tires of seeing lovely lights. I am sure in person they were more breathtaking.

Glenda said...

I just love pretty Christmas lights - especially if placed near water! The sleeping egrets add a magical touch to a beautiful place.

Admiral Hestorb said...

I'm from Tennessee also..near Knoxville. I LOVED LOVED LOVED those egrets in the tree!!! I have never seen such a thing and I have lived where egrets are (Florida) but never to see them roosting in trees, What a treat.

Lynda said...

I LOVE the lights on the walkway bridge. Those are some big birds to sleep in the trees, aren't they? What pretty decorations they make for that tree!

Fred Alton said...

Nice pictures of the lights - and especially of the egrets. I've seen them cover a tree like that before, but catching it as you did it did resemble more Christmas decorations. We had no snow here today. Son-in-law and I re-installed the pole for our mailbox which was knocked down Tuesday by a towing service truck! It was very cold - but nice and sunshiny outside.

Wendy said...

Those lights are absolutely stunning! Great pics. Winter agrees with you!

Kathy W said...

I could have spent hours walking along that boardwalk. I bet that was an odd sight seeing all those birds asleep in the trees.

Velvet Over Steel said...

These were All beautiful post and pictures, Betsy! Never too many pretty pictures, esp. of Christmas lights! :-)

I love 'open-air' malls with unique & interesting shops. Lots of those when I lived in both California and Hawaii. Probably because of the 'mostly' very nice weather. Not so much here in the Midwest. Ha... Most snow and it was -7 at 9pm most nights this week. Brrr...

You pictures warmed me up though! Thank you for always sharing your trips with us!

Have a Wonderful & 'warmer' weekend!!
HUGS,
Coreen

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Beautiful lights, The snow closed schools here for 3 days..m..

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Awwww...only Scrooge himself would rebel at Christmas lights! Stay warm!

Chad said...

Who could ever get tired of Christmas lights? I have to say, I love the one with the Egrets the most. Natural lights!

SquirrelQueen said...

This looks like a fabulous place to stroll around and enjoy all the veiws, be it night or day. I love all the Christmas lights but I absolutely adore the Carousel. That looks like an old one with the carved horses.

I think Mother Nature got mixed up again, you have all the snow and up north here it is 55 degrees at the moment with rain.

Rose said...

I never tire of seeing Christmas lights...I love the first two here. I am hoping next year I get to get out and take some...but I said that the past two years.

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Beautiful nights photos!

Connie said...

Beautiful photos, Betsy! Oh, I love the carousel picture. So bright and colorful! Must have been neat to see it. :)

Twilight Man said...

I am not tired of your Christmas lights and they never failed to light up my mood. The Americans are good in decorations and do them elaborately well & pretty! Looking at your blogs often inspired me as I work in the advertising department where we are always hungry for pretty ideas.