From December 11-14, 2012, we made a quick trip to our favorite beach, OCEAN ISLE BEACH, in North Carolina. As most of you know, we go there every May for several days and really enjoy it. Then a couple of years ago, we made a 2nd trip there in December. WELL---we enjoyed it so much in December that we decided to go again.
Why do we enjoy the beach this time of year???? WELL---first of all, we can walk on the beach and have the entire area almost to ourselves. Secondly, this time of year, we can enjoy sunrises AND sunsets from our balcony... And--you know how much we love sunrises and sunsets over the water!!!!!! Thirdly, and very important, we love fresh Calabash seafood --and can't get it in Tennessee... SO--we go to EAT at our favorite restaurants...
I will show you some of our photos from this short trip in a couple of posts. Hope you enjoy them. Be sure to click on them for enlargements. Above is a picture George took of me the first time we walked on the beach after getting there on the 11th!!! I will say that it was quite cold while we were there.. BUT--we still loved it...Can you see all of those people making the beach so crowded???? ha ha
We love walking on the beach this time of year. Yes, it was quite cold ---but OH--so much fun!!!!! You can see the fishing pier WAY in the distance.
How cold was it??? WELL---cold enough so that all of these little birds were huddled up together trying to stay warm.... Poor little guys!
This will also show you how COLD, windy and drizzly it was.... BUT--again I say, it was not nearly as cold as the day we spent at Grandfather Mountain in November.... I've NEVER been THAT cold before....ha
Here are some of the things we enjoyed at the beach this time:
Top left--lots of birds; Top right---nobody there but US (that is George in the picture);
Bottom left---Betsy drooled over that tiny little beach house in the distance--ha;
Bottom right--Great reflection of the pier in the water/sand;
Center--a Sand Dollar I found; Neat, huh?????
Our motel (Islander Inn) is not far from the fishing pier... SO--when we walk on the beach, we usually walk to the pier and beyond one direction --and then walk the other direction at another time. I took this picture of George as we wandered around the pier.
We didn't get to see the moon over the water this year ---but we did enjoy watching the sun peak through the clouds... I love pictures of sunbeams... Do you?
Finally, here are some of our photos of the sunset.... After a mostly cloudy week, the sun came out on Dec. 13 ---and really showed off for us. Isn't it marvelous?
I have one more post from this trip --including a sunrise and some blue sky pictures!!!! If you want to see that post, click
HERE.
Hope you will have a fabulous Monday!
Hugs,
61 comments:
The grayness makes it really look cold. Glad you managed to have some sun, before you headed home.
Lovely shots... Neat beach...
nice shots. you all look like you both had such fun. i love going to the beach with no one around. such fun!! lots to see & do. perfect!!!
have a great week. ( :
What??? Go to the beach and not see any bikinis? :) :) Seriously, that really does look like a neat place. I can just imagine the good seafood that you get. Seafood is probably my favorite kind of food.
I also love the beach when it's deserted, Betsy so I enjoyed - and related to - this post very much. I love your photo of George under the pier. A winning pic, I'm sure. Have a great day. (((hugs))) Jo
I just adore the beach in the winter. What a fun trip, Betsy!
Really like how your grouped some of your photos together.
I would certainly welcome the beach right now! We've had a lot of days with no sunshine, so to see the sun rise or set would be great!
Enjoyed these pictures...looks like lots of fun!
hugs...
shug
Love the idea of having the beach to your selves. What is a little cold when you are dressed properly. It just puts a spring in your step.
Glad to see you finally got some snow. Stay warm and enjoy.
I love the pictures. My husband and I love to visit places in the "off" season as well - no people. You have the place to yourselves. Sure the weather might not be the best but who cares. As you and George found out you have the beach to yourselves and a great view off the water from your balcony. Not to mention the rates are less. Your photos show just how nice "anywhere" can be when it is spent with someone you love.
i can see the cold and see the wind and see there were no people... we love the beach no matter the weather, except thunderstorms. love the huddled birds and the pier reflection
What a great way to enjoy the beach - on your own. There are endless advantages to visiting a beach out of season, so why am I not doing the same!
You two just have fun no matter where you are! It does look cold and dreary there in some of your photos, but the big smiles on your faces declare that the weather doesn't dampen your spirits. Those sunset pictures are gorgeous. Looking forward to more pictures from this winter trip to the beach.
Having the beach to yourself is a real treat and the best part, in my opinion. Great pictures, Betsy. You do look a little cold though! :) Glad to hear you had some sunny days too.
You two have had some bitter cold to deal with on your trips. The pics sure are pretty!
No cold weather would keep me from going either! Gorgeous. I love your sunset photos!
I'm sure it was a wonderful time for walking the beach. As long as you are dressed for it. And you were~
even cold it still makes for great photos. :)
I do love the beach any time of year -- even in the cold! Really beautiful captures, Betsy, as always! Your photos always reflect not only the beauty of the places you visit, but the joy you both experience through your travels and each other. Thanks for sharing both! Have a great week!
What a lovely trip and it looks cold and damp. You like the winter beach for the same reason I love winter Yellowstone....quiet!
that ocean sounds fun even when It is cold
Such fun and no one on the beach! And you found a sand dollar.! I have never found one of those. And the sunset.....oh, so beautiful. I adore all of your pictures. Can not wait to see more!
Gorgeous pictures, Betsy. I love the Ocean in the winter. It is fab out here. Usually foggy but grand. I smile when you show the sunrise because out here the sun sets into the ocean and I think you are backwards. HAHa!!!
Have a great week. MB
I'm sure you both had the whole beach ALL to yourself!! Do either of you like to swim? Forgot to tell you how much I love your header! Also this great collage!
Happy New Year Betsy! I honestly like the beach better during the winter. Much more moody and less crowded. I'll be back to catch up later.
Betsy,
What an awesome header photo of the falling snow. I love it! I also like the photos of the beach very much. What a wonderful time of the year to post these lovely scenes of the ocean. Makes me long to visit the beach.
Such a great expanse of sand to walk along with no crowds! I do like the photos of you and George under the fishing pier showing the
interesting formation of the posts and you taking shelter for a while.
I think it is kind of fun to go to the beach when no one else is there. And I bet the restaurants weren't crowded either.
So that was a nice mansion? lol
Sandie
I sure could use a little bit of beach time right now with all the snow and cold we've had.....but I'd rather have it be warm when I'm there!! We are supposed to get in the 50s later this week so most the snow will melt:)
Love the sunsets too!!!
Those sunset pictures are amazing and worth the trip.
I'd enjoy the beach without the crowds, too. It has been many years since we took a beach trip.
Oh it looks so cold, but still nice. : )
In my opinion, nothing in the world can beat a great time spent at the beach...year 'round!!
Great photos Betsy. Oh ya, nothing better than fresh seafood also. LOL
It looks very nice, and cold. I love the picture showing the pier and the waves...thank you for sharing.
Enjoy your week.
Hugs,
Eva
Exactly how I like my trips to the beach - deserted! :)
The last of our recent snow has melted today so these beach shots are gorgeous in contrast to what I see out my window.
Sounds like you and George had another wonderful get-away!
That would be a good time to go and have the whole beach to yourself. Love all the shots and it does look cold. I see it's snowing on your blog though....lol
Looks like a beautiful place! I reserved our beach house today for our family vacation in June. Your pics make me want to go NOW!!
Wow a private beach! I love the sun set photos they are awesome.
Beautiful photos! And how nice it is to avoid the crowds!
Anytime is a good time for a trip to the beach, except maybe during hurricane season. Beautiful photos Betsy.
You two have the best time together. That is even more beautiful than the sunset and that sunset is GORGEOUS!
BRRRRR! You look cold out on that beach Betsy! But it also looks like you saw lots of wonderful things! Lovely!
xo Catherine
I've never been to the beach in winter but I know I would love exploring around without all the people. Maybe one day when hubbie retires and g-son grows up we can do it one year !!
Blessings
Marilyn
Wonderful pictures! I know you enjoyed your time at the beach without the crowds!
BTW, your header with the snow is awesome!
Beautiful photos! Winter sunrises and sunsets at the beach are totally the best.
Another thing to put on my bucket list. Go to the beach in winter when not crowded. Looks like great fun and lots of photo ops there!
It looks very cool place. I love the picture showing the pier and the waves...thank you so much for sharing.Florida Villa Rental
What gorgeous beach shots! All the more enjoyable for the snow...
There's something almost like a forbidden pleasure to travel when everyone else is either working or in school--or in yours and George's case--trying to stay warm! These photos show why you always come back to this place.
The beach looks very pretty and the fall of sunbeam was stunning. Moreover the sunset snaps are amazing... I really wonder at beginning at the choice of time u took to beach but the collage on sunset failed me at stop wondering.
The swamp seashore is inviting! Hope you had a great time despite the cold.
The beach is so clean over there.
I love seafood too .
Cold weather vs big crowds? I think you made the right choice. Love all your photos!
XO
The sun and clouds picture is awesome! So is your sunset! Wow! Mom was just at Nags Head for a quick birthday trip. The beach is winter is so peaceful!
Thanks for your comments about my reading adventures with the GS...my house is taken over by books, I am afraid! :-) I don't read as voraciously as I did when I was younger, but I still read at night before I fall asleep.
The beach in winter sounds so romantic. I knew it would be less crowded, but am still surprised that you were the only ones on the beach! Love the pic of George under the pier. I don't think I've ever walked under a pier before!
An uncrowded beach...lucky you. But it does look cold!
Linda
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Wonderful beach shots, Betsy! I especially like the one of all the birdies clustering together for warmth. I have always loved the beach best in winter. I grew up not too far from the NC coast...and often enjoyed the quiet peace of the beach in winter.
Wonderful pictures! My favorite time to go to the beach is when no one else is there!
Betsy, what a fun time at the beach. I loved all the photos. It is cool to have the beach all to yourselves.
Oh wow Betsy those are really spectacular views. I haven't seen such expanse of beach with so many birds and your shot is really awesome. I love those with pieces of pier too, how I wish we have these scenes without people too. I know how lovely sunsets and sunrises are over the ocean, but even if our house is only 3-4km from the sea, i haven't taken time to really go there just for the scenes. But when we are on vacation we really take time to wake up early just for them, isn't it! I am envious!
A perfect scenario for a second (or so:) honeymoon alone on the beach with your sweetheart.
I enjoy the beach when its gray and chilly as much as when its sunny and warm.
Love that stunning sunset, Betsy.
Hugs
I love walking under the piers:) I used to look for crabs in the sand....plus it's a nice relief from the sun:) It's still nice to be at the beach in the cold weather. Growing up on Lake Michigan during the winter had its beauty....and quiet. Very reflective moments. And the best part? Not a single person on the beach:)
Fun, fun, fun. I love that you two were the only ones at the beach. It takes a lot to send you two inside.
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