As you can imagine I have several sets of pictures to share with you... HA HA HA.... Today, I'll share some pictures around the Islander Inn --where we stayed on the beach at Ocean Isle. Above is a picture from our balcony showing the dunes and waves... Can you believe that there was almost NOBODY around???? Loved it!!!!
George did manage to take a walk along the beach one day --even though it was cold and windy! He captured this great picture under the fishing pier.
For the three days we were there, Mother Nature gave us several kinds of weather. On this particular day, it was FOGGY all day long.... Luckily, we had no rain (nor snow--thank goodness)---but on this particular day, the fog remained with us... It was relaxing!!!!
All of these shore-birds (gulls) were lined up waiting for ANYONE to come by and give them something to eat... BUT--there weren't that many people walking on the beach while we were there.
Here's another favorite picture of the dunes, sea grass, waves and fog....
On one of our clear days, we could see the Casino boats going out to sea --from the Little River Waterfront... Gambling is one thing which George and I do not do since I'm sure I'd lose my shirt (and MORE)... ha ha ... BUT--there are always plenty of people getting on those boats every single day to gamble....
More pictures to come!!!!!! Are you getting ready to celebrate the New Year??? What will you do? George and I will stay at home and watch some football on TV, watch the ball fall in Times Square on New Year's Eve, and enjoy some Eggnog. That is the extent of our 'big' celebration... ha
Hugs,
Hi Betsy,I wish you 12 months of happiness, serenity 52 weekend, 365days of love, 8760 hours of peace, 525600 minutes of success, 31536000seconds of friendship.Merry new year
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is a bad time to visit the beach!! Your pictures are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHappy New year to you and George!!
The beach looks like a great place to relax in winter. John and I hardly ever actually stay awake until midnight! We definitely will have black eyed peas on New Year's Day!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying your beach photos. This time of year ... from Thanksgiving to April ... was always my favorite in Galveston ... no one on the beach as long as it was cool and I LOVED it.
ReplyDeleteBetsy,
ReplyDeleteAhh, the NC coast; gorgeous at ALL times. We love Emerald Isle and have never been to OI but I'm sure it's lovely as well.
Tell George he did a fantastic job on the pier photo. I love the lines the timbers created. Doesn't the ocean just call your name? Ahhh, reminds us how small and insignificant we are in this vast world but loved just the same.
I wish you and George a very Happy New Year. May it be filled with all the hopes and dreams of your making! For us, we stay home as well...no reason to tempt the Fates with the drunk drivers and other crazies so we hang out at home and play games, watch football and fall asleep attempting to watch the ball drop...Have fun watching the game tonight...
hugs..
Great beach photos, Betsy. George's shot under the pier was exceptionally so.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures, Betsy! I love the angles of the pier picture. I have always loved the beach in winter. I grew up about fifty miles from many of North Carolina beaches, so we went all times of the year. I loved the solitude and spare beauty of the seashore in winter.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and George! We will celebrate by drinking sparkling juice and sitting on our porch watching all the fireworks in the valley. A quiet celebration, but we like it.
Happy New Year to you and George...I don't know what I will be doing...sleeping most likely. Trish
ReplyDeleteA quiet night at home is very attractive to me on New Years Eve. Usually my boys go to the Youth Group Bowling Party - Since my middle son has stopped attending (and no we haven't found a new church home yet) I am not sure the youngest is going to go either. We may have Jake (youngest) at home with us. It would be nice for a change.
ReplyDeleteI love your ocean photos! Reminds me so much of Virginia Beach - when we lived there. I loved the late fall - winter and early spring time at the waterfront - because we had the beach all to ourselves - along with the other locals who ventured out.
When you don't have that for so long (living in Western NY my whole life except those 3 years) we took full advantage of the beautiful ocean as often as we could!
Happy New Year to you and George!!!
ReplyDeletethe beach is a wonderful place in the winter isn't it. Great pictures.
When the kids were little we used to (try to) stay up til midnight and they would bang pots and pans out on the porch. Home made fun.
Now I just stay up and watch the fireworks from my deck or through the windows. MB
Early winter is my favorite time at the beaches of the mid south. I think that's when one can truly enjoy their beauty without sunbathers and swimmers changing the landscape. I also like fog. It's mysterious and calming. I enjoyed the visit this morning.
ReplyDeleteWe are having a quiet time at home for new year's. Last year we did the dinner/party/dance and it was great fun. So is staying by the fire, watching a few movies and eating black eye peas.
Happy New Year!
Best,
Bonnie
I would rather be on the beach in the wintertime than summer almost. I've never been on an east coast beach long, but I'd love to spend a full winter in someplace like Seaside, Oregon, rent a condo and sit there and watch the storms come in. There's something about it.
ReplyDeleteour celebration is only one thing, we will both be glad we made it another year. other than that he will watch football and i will read and blog and email. the same thing we do every day.
ReplyDeletethat beach just takes my breathe away, i love beaches more than any other thing and so does bob. this looks a lot like our favorite beaches in Ormond Beach. these make me long to see the atlantic beaches again, they are a lot different than the gulf beaches.
I think I might like the beach when no one else is there.THanks for sharing this .
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Happy New Year! We wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Betsy...the difference in summer and winter beach photos is so awesome...it seems like another world!!!
ReplyDeleteReally like the idea that it became your very own beach,except for the poor birds.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the New Year arrive since I quit drinking but do love the solid day of football on New Years day.
Wishing you and George continued adventures and good health for the New Year.
I love the beach in Winter. That's a great picture under the pier.
ReplyDeleteWe celebrate by trying to stay awake long enough to see the ball drop! LOL!
☼ Sunny
I love these pictures!! Walks on cold beaches remind me of England, I do miss the sea.
ReplyDeleteWe never stay up till midnight and go to bed at our usual time of 8.00pm!! Fun people we are!! :)
Excellent seaside photography! The pier view is a great one! I love the ocean anytime - preferably with no people, lol! Don't enjoy the fog for long; only love the way it makes the skin feel soft. Up here we have dry, static lotion weather right now!
ReplyDeleteGambling isn't for me either - I win every time I don't do it!
Excellent photos as always, Betsy. I love the one under the pier and of the seagulls. We also LOVE places where there is no-one else. Going off to camp overnight at a wilderness place about 30km from home! We want to be just the two of us seeing in 2011; enjoying the night sounds and of course the early morning birdsong. Have a wonderfully, healthy and prosperous New Year. Blessings and (((hugs))) Jo
ReplyDeleteNo staying up for this girl. It will be a quiet evening at home. D and I never did anything special for New Year so it isn't a big deal.
ReplyDeletegreat photos, but it sure looks cold, I remember days we walk on the beach in the winter, and the wind and cold is really much, hugs and have a great day, Barbara
ReplyDeleteOh Betsy! Those photos just MADE me take a deep breath. I could almost smell the salt and hear the waves! I've walked the beach in SC when we've stayed there the week between Christmas and New Years. Of course my legs turned red from the cold water, but it was worth it. I just love walking the beach!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the beach in winter. Or anytime:)
ReplyDeleteI am very happy for you Betsy and George, as there are no people in that beach! Your magnificent photos tell us the trip is very enjoyable. I also love the composition taken by George, very masculine shot indeed! haha. Happy New Year Betsy, and may you have more waterfalls and travels to come.
ReplyDeleteI love the beach when no one else is there! Beautiful pictures today! I doubt if Jeep and I will stay up to see the new year in, but then we might, who knows. I like to watch the Rose Bowl parade in the morning. We will probably have the traditional food for lunch and watch a zillion football games. My grandson is in the MSU band and will be going to the Gator bowl game in Jacksonville. We will probably watch that and try to see if we can get a glimpse of Jesse. Happy New Year to you and George!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the pictures. They have such clarity and details. It must be that camera you wrote about.
ReplyDeleteNew Year's Eve- - - watch it on TV and hope I don't sleep too late on Saturday because I have to be up early on Sunday to work the church library! (If I sleep late, then I'll be up later, and then I'll be tired all day Sunday from lack of sleep.)
Loved the pictures! I think I'd like the solitude of the empty beach too : ) Happy New Years!!
ReplyDeleteI love that under-the-fishing-bridge image. Great job, George.
ReplyDeleteWe don't do much to celebrate New Year's, either. We had plans to have dinner, games, and prayer with friends that night; but my sweet hubby has been sick since Christmas. So all plans are off for now.
Hi Betsy, Your blog today is so refreshing! I sometimes do miss the beach. I used to live a block from the Pacific Ocean many years ago. Have a super great day today! By the way, the lake is still frozen.
ReplyDeleteI love the beach no matter what the season. It is especially peaceful this time of year, though, with fewer people around. Nice pictures, Betsy! Happy New Year to you! :-)
ReplyDeleteOf COURSE there was no one else there! No one else but you and George would be crazy enough to go to the beach at Christmas time, ha ha ha!! But I'm sure it was like a whole different place this time of year. Come to think of it, wouldn't it be cool to go there in each season and see the difference. Take pictures in the exact same spots, then do a beach four seasons thing in a book and on the blog, comparing each spot in the different seasons. Those birds are in a line!! They are all lined real straight, didn't that just crack you up? People can't line up that straight in the supermarket! So that is my favorite picture. But under the pier is very artistic.
ReplyDeleteNo ball watching for me, I'm afraid, it's hard for me to stay up that late (unless DH is snoring so loud it keeps me awake).
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
How nice to see the beach at Christmas time. I'm surprised too that there weren't more people around. The pier and the waves and sea grass are all gorgeous. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe beach photos look so peaceful! As for new year's day, it will be spent at home since hubby has to work. Maybe I'll take down the Christmas decorations and clean my house. That seems to be my traditional thing to do...
ReplyDeleteI love the picture under the pier.
ReplyDeleteMy new years may consist of possibly a drink (I hardly ever drink) some fireworks and good food and a friend. I'll be in bed though probably by 10. Lovely pics of the beach. Great way to spend the holidays.
ReplyDeleteThat pier photo is amazing!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have no plans for NYE either, we usually stay home and watch TV. yep, we are that exciting as well.
xoxoxoxo
Ohh Oh Oh Christmas at the beach... NIIICE! Wonderful shots, too, Betsy!!!
ReplyDeleteNot sure what I'll be doing, but I'll probably watch the ball drop at Times Square, too... =)
Dear Betsy,
ReplyDeleteHow I LOVE the ocean! Listening to the gentle murmur of the waves is so soothing and the scent of the sea..well, you so obviously know what I mean! Great photos, that pier shot is magnificent; the poor, hopeful gulls; the blanket of FOG! Looking forward to the rest of the photos of this vacation. It's great to be in a place almost alone.
Please check out my blog post today and you'll see what happened to us on Christmas Day...in NE Mississippi, not so very far away from you in TN!!
I'm not quite sure what it is about the ocean that is so calming, but I intend to keep visiting it until I figure it out. Once I do, I will simply keep going to enjoy its lovely waves, ebs and flos.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Wow the beach at Christmas! Beautiful pics again. My New Year plans are about like yours!
ReplyDeleteHey Betsey...I enjoyed your pictures, especially the one under the pier and of the seagulls all lined up in a row. The beach seems an unusual place to be at the end of December. Good for you for being so adventureous. Some of us have no imagination. Have a wonderful weekend. Rosalie
ReplyDelete....the beach before Christmas!! That's the way to do it. Enjoy your cozy New Year's Eve. All the best in the coming New Year!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Kelly
....the beach before Christmas!! That's the way to do it. Enjoy your cozy New Year's Eve. All the best in the coming New Year!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Kelly
very nice photos Betsy! I really like the one with the gulls all standing on line...
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year too,
ReplyDeleteYou can repost that fishing pier for letter X for the next round of the ABC Wednesday.
The sea gulls are so resilent, I thought they would have flown down South to New Zealand.
I went out to the beach and to a Spit. There were some black birds I couldn't identify sitting on a rock.
Trust the Lord will keep you and George well in 2011. (This is a Chinese Wish.)
Great pictures. I love the beach when there isn't a crowd but it might be a little too cold now.
ReplyDeleteOooh doesn't this renew your spirit in the middle of Winter :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures as always, I so look forward to our visits in the coming New Year !
Hugs,
Jo
x
You and I are wise to watch the New Year's eve celebrating at home. In Christchurch, they had an aftershock earthquake which is bigger the original quake in Sept. They are holding the celebration at the Cathedral square where some of the buildings were affected. They had to investigate to make sure the square is safe. I will rather be safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteRe: Air Tower, my husband the water engineer says in big marinas, they do have air towers for all sorts off traffic.
The reason we go to the beach and marinas is he never separates work from pleasure. And he is always lecturing about the soil, the sea the nountain etc, now I switched off my ears and enjoy going with him while I take my photos and he takes his photos. Very often his photos are good for my blogs.
In the early days, I used to complain, anofher dam, but after I listen to a kid of an engineer, when he complained all his holidays, his Dad rushed them to see Dams,I decided can't beat them, join them.
It does not matter where you and George go it will be warm and exciting for you. I am so glad to have met someone that loves life and each other as much as you do. Not near enough of that today.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe photo from underneath the pier is fantastic Betsy, great shot. I love the beach in the winter time, the beaches are almost deserted and it has a whole different look.
ReplyDeleteWe are staying home for New Year's Eve too, just a quiet evening with a bottle of bubbly for a midnight toast.
Love the pictures, Betsy.
ReplyDeleteNew Year's blessings to you and George. I'm usually asleep in my chair TRYING to stay awake until midnight! Rarely make it. Hubby and I didn't ever stay up, either.
Blessings!
CottonLady
Your New Year's celebration sounds just my "speed"--except I'm not sure I'll be able to stay up long enough to watch the ball drop! hahaha!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures of the beach. Sounds like a very relaxing time.
We were in Nags Head one October and it was so beautiful. Deserted and peaceful and absolutely warm enough for us northerners!
ReplyDeleteGoing to the beach is indeed fun. I am sure you must have enjoyed the trip. Lucky for you it didn't snow or rain. Those pictures look great.I loved the picture of the gulls andThe picture of the dunes, sea grass, waves and fog. Looks really calm and plesant.
ReplyDeleteI am getting ready to celebrate new year. I haven't planned what to do yet but I believe that I will be swicthing between TV and the computer one after th other.
I wish You & George the most prosperous, healthy & happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll be watching the ball fall by myself, if I can make it that late.
Your pics are wonderful. I always found it soothing to sit & listen to the waves lapping at the shore.
Your picture & trip did look oh so relaxing, Betsy!! I hope you and George have a Wonderful & Joyful New Year!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove, Hugs & Many Blessings to you both!!! ~ Coreen
I love a quiet beach in winter, Betsy! I often drive over to our area's beach to walk along the shore.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I will be staying home this New Year's eve and watch the ball drop at Times Square on TV. It's too cold for us go into Manhattan and wait for 6 hours with the rest of the crowd for that to happen...lol!
Happy healthy 2011!
The ocean is so different in the winter. I loved seeing it again. I spent a couple winters in NJ yrs. ago and do miss the ocean. Thanks for the memories and Happy New Year. Bill and I will be comfy-cozy in front of a football game too and taking the tree down. It's the beginning of spring cleaning for this ol' gal.
ReplyDeleteBlessYourHearts
Beautiful shots of the beach Betsy. As I read your post I could almost smell the ocean and hear the surf. Although I'm a mountain girl, part of my soul is with the water. Diane
ReplyDeleteWhen you watch the ball fall in Times Square imagine Bob and I there with you, as we will be doing the same. Happy New Year to you and George!
ReplyDeleteLove that last picture,how calm the ocean looks.
ReplyDeleteHubbie and I will copy you and George on New Years eve if we can stay awake long enough to see the ball drop !!
Blessings and Happy New Year !!!
Marilyn
Looked like a perfect time to visit...I am a tad jealous...
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year dear friend,
Teresa
Happy New Year! Dear Hubby will no doubt be sleeping away as the new year rolls in ... and I'll be sitting here at my computer because of another night of insomnia ~ wishing I was greeting in the new year like Dear Hubby. We do have an invite to go to the resort; but the bar scene really isn't my thing ~ and DH has to work in the morning and there's no way I'm going out alone.
ReplyDeleteLovely beach!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! The picture under the pier looked like a chapel.
ReplyDeleteI loe the grass sticking straight up from the dunes. Shame that it was too cold for walks on the beach but hey what a place to relax.
ReplyDeleteLove that shot under the pier!
ReplyDelete