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...

Friday, June 7, 2013

Our Ocean Isle Beach Trip -May, 2013

George and I made our annual trip to the beach from May 4-11 this year.  We are basically mountain people---but we love going to the beach once or twice a year.  What we love about the going there:
-SEAFOOD  (very important since we can't get good seafood where we live now)
-Islander Inn (where we stay --with a room and balcony RIGHT on the beach)
-The beach itself (walking, collecting shells,  sunbathing, reading, RELAXING)
-The sky (sunrises/sunsets/pretty clouds/moon/rainbows, etc.)

Today I'll share with you some of our photos from this trip.  If you want to see photos from other trips,  you can go to my sidebar and scroll down to some of the different Ocean Isle Beach trips.  We see different things each time we go. Above is a photo taken from our room --on an evening when the sun was setting and reflecting on the waves.

Be sure to click on the photos for enlargements.



Here is a photo of George as we walked along the beach the first day we were there.  As you can tell (from the sweatshirt),  it was cool and windy that day.  BUT--we enjoyed our walk.  We averaged at least 3 miles of walking on the beach each day we were there.




George took this picture of me in front of the Islander Inn sign.  Note my new t-shirt--which he surprised me with one day.  That is Bryce Canyon from our trip there in 2011.  George took the photo and had the t-shirts made.  Isn't it beautiful?




This picture showing some of the waves near the fishing pier was taken during one of our walks along the beach.




Here is a picture George took of me during another of our walks toward the fishing pier.




I took  this picture of George as we were getting ready to eat dinner at our VERY FAVORITE  seafood restaurant in Calabash,  the Dockside Restaurant.




There are lots and lots of sea-birds ----so I managed to take this photo of another visitor who was feeding them one day. 




We love to sit on the beach ----SO one day,  George took this picture of me chatting with my son, Mark, on the phone!!!!!




We love Dockside Restaurant so much that we returned THREE different times for dinner.  We've tried other seafood restaurants --but this one is our favorite one. There is a pier next to Dockside where they bring the fresh seafood right up to the pier!!!  SO---we KNOW that food at Dockside is very, very FRESH...




The storm clouds were nearby ---but we only had rain ONE NIGHT that entire week.  SO---we were definitely pleased with our weather.




Here is one happy man ---eating dinner at Dockside.  We LOVED the fresh fried shrimp and those huge scallops... YUM... (I'm ready to go back for more!!!)




Who is this lazy woman ---relaxing at the beach????  The sun was warm --but since we use sunscreen,  we don't get much of a sunburn...  SUCH JOY --and REST!!!!!  As you can tell from these photos,  we go to the beach in May --ahead of the summer crowds.  We have the beach almost to ourselves the week we go--and we love that.




I love taking sky photos ---and this one turned out really good since the sun was shining on the big clouds over the water.   Neat one,  don't you think?  (Be sure to enlarge it.)




Proof that I got my feet in the water---even though it was quite cold...  There were some people swimming ---but we just continued to enjoy walking.




Here is one of my favorite photos EVER of the fishing pier --with the sun's reflection on it.  I have a trillion photos of the fishing pier --but this is my favorite I think.  Do you like it?




Finally,  Here is a picture of us taken from our room ---showing the ocean in back of us.  It was a wonderful week ---and we hope to return for a few days in late November or early December.

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Hugs,

54 comments:

Rohrerbot said...

I do like that photo of the pier with the clouds in the background. That's a beautiful shot Looks like another beautiful adventure together :-) To be honest I would love to see stormclouds again. We have nothing but sun all the time and it's hot here. So it will be nice to see rain again in the forecast. And fried scallops sound very good :-)

Fun60 said...

Views of the ocean and eating fresh seafood is a partnership made in Heaven. I always think walking by the sea renews the spirit. If I'm feeling particularly low I make for the sea, living on an island we are never that far from the coast.

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful shots from the beach, Betsy! Looks like a fun time. I love seafood. Wonderful series of photos. Have a great weekend!

Marcia said...

Looks and sounds like the perfect getaway spot. We are off on a family vacation soon to Thousand Island Park, NY up at the Canadian border in the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love the shots of your relaxing on the beach ... making calls ... to cute!! ( :

those cloud views are just amazing. you all had a blast.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures and the food makes me sooooo hungry!! I love your special t-shirt. Have a great weekend.

diane b said...

Nothing like a trip to the beach to recharge the batteries. You both look very happy and relaxed.The afternoon sun on the pier and clouds is stunning. It is the golden hour for photographs.

DeniseinVA said...

What a super time you had. Great photos Betsy. I'd love to get back to the ocean again.
Denise
An English Girl Rambles

Janice K said...

You both look so sun tanned/burned and happy!

Cicero Sings said...

You are looking so young and so happy in these pics! Great to see you loving life so much.

linda m said...

I love the ocean. It is one of the things I really miss. I used to live in CA and in FL and was a frequent visitor to the beach. Your pictures bring back many fond memories.

Liene said...

I absolutely love the photograph of the pier in the sunshine - it looks like it is glowing in the blue water! We've just returned from our own beach trip, to Bull Island, SC. Despite the crowds on the beaches this time of year, Bull island is a little more difficult to get to... so we basically had the 7 mile barrier island beach to ourselves!

Jo said...

I love the first photo of the sun reflected on the waves and again where the sun is reflected in the clouds. Brilliant, Betsy. It looked like a lovely holiday at the sea! (((Hugs))) Jo

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Yes, I think your favorite photo of the pier is my favorite photo of the pier, too. And that last shot of you and George may be my favorite picture of the two of you. It's very good of both of you, and it speaks volumes about your relationship.

Lady Di Tn said...

When I read the first paragraph, I thought surely you were describing Prince and I. Love that photo of the fishing pier. You got the sun just right when you took the photo. Need to know what week and the exact place to stay so we might surprise you next May. Thanks for taking me to the beach with you. I just had breakfast but that photo of George has made me hungry for FISH. I did try to eat my fill during our short trip to Mobile. Peace

MadSnapper said...

i wonder what this beautiful beach looks like today.. hope it is still this pretty. we love Aunt Catfish on the river in Ormond Beach.

LV said...

The fishing pier is breathtaking, but my favorite if the last one of you and George.

Connie said...

Looks like you had another wonderful visit there, Betsy. Great pictures! I love the one of the pier too! Have a good weekend!

Terry and Linda said...

Look at skinny you. I love that first shot, but all of them are good and they do look like you had lots of fun!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Small City Scenes said...

Beautiful pictures, Betsy, each and every one of them. I couldn't chose a favorite. Although I do like the ones of you relaxing on the beach. That's what it's all about. right! MB

Ms. A said...

Golly, Betsy, these are splendid photos, you skinny woman, you!

Sharon said...

Isn't it wonderful to have the flexibility to go when no one else does? We are both very blessed indeed!

Chatty Crone said...

I enjoyed the trip with you although I wasn't really there. You always make any place look great. I love the pier shot too - looked professional! Nice trip.

Love,
Sandie

Serenity Cove said...

Love fresh seafood!
We used to go to Florida when our kids were young but it's been at least 10 or 11 years since the last trip. We have good memories of those trips to our favorite beach...Siesta Key.
Like you, we like going to the mountains but I sure wouldn't mind a beach trip again.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

It's a great beach for walking (or running) as it's so even without a big drop off.

I do love your fishing pier shot - the water is so blue!

Miss Debbie said...

Looks like a wonderful trip! We are headed to the beach on the 22nd...can't wait!!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I must have said it before,I am not a beach person,but your pictures make the beach look like a place I would enjoy.

Ginny Hartzler said...

The Cloud picture and the pier picture are amazing and my favorites!!! The pier picture looks like big time ART! Wish I could taste that fresh fish!

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, I have been to the beach only once since moving here to Marion County, FL. I live an hour from either coast so I will get wet sooner or later in the salt water. Excellent pictures. It really looks like both of you had a great time at the shore. Great! Have an excellent weekend. P.S. No trouble at all with Tropical Storm Andrea here. : )

Busy Bee Suz said...

Looks like a lovely trip for you both; again. So glad you have found a nice beach place for yourselves. Seafood is awesome....I can't imagine not having it when ever I want. :) We are going out for Seafood tonight; we love it too!
XOXO

happyone said...

Very nice pictures at the shore!!
I'm not a fan of sitting on the beach but love to walk along it.

Ann said...

That would be my kind of vacation. George's dinner looks delicious.

Arkansas Patti said...

You and George really should do travelogues. You really make each trip seem so appealing. I am just glad you aren't there now. Pretty ugly weather thanks to Andrea.

Catherine said...

You two are lookin' good enjoying that sand and sunshine! Happy weekend!
xo Catherine

MTWaggin said...

Jealous. Love my mountains but adore the ocean, seafood and salt air! Another waterfall series for you tomorrow.

Out on the prairie said...

I ate some wonderful seafdood last week. just cooked some moo cow last night in over a week

Beth said...

I loved this, Betsy. Your smiles are contagious!
My favorite photos are the pier one and that gorgeous sky/ocean one.
I miss the beach trips I used to take in my 'other life'.
I answered your question about how and why we downsized to this house. It's a long post, but it should answer your question.:>)

Unknown said...

The pier picture with the clouds in the background is my favorite! Isn't that in NC? I love looking at your pictures and hearing about your travels. One of these days when my hubby finally retires... But in the meantime we have our weekend jaunts.

Thanks for sharing! Love the pictures!

Big Dude said...

Looks like another fun trip to the beach and love the sky shots. It may take several long beach walks for George to burn off that plate of food. You guys know how how to spent your time.

I Am Woody said...

Everything is better at the beach!! Just being around water in any form makes my stress just fall away!

Lynda said...

I love seeing the happiness of you two. It is even more beautiful than your gorgeous pictures! I love them all but especially the header with the pink reflection on the waves - - same with the clouds near the end of the post.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Love the photo of you wit the fishing pier. Looks like a relaxing get away. The shirts with George's photo is a great idea.

Betty Manousos said...

wow, dear betsy, wow!!

what beautiful shots from the beach!
it is lovely there. thank you for taking us along.

i thoroughly enjoyed this fabulous pictorial trip.
and your photos.

oh, betsy, you always look great!
love the photos of you and the pier is really gorgeous.

big hugs!!

Buttercup said...

What fabulous pictures. I'm overdue for a beach vacation. Looking at your pictures I want to go out and plan one right now.

Donna said...

Fantastic cloud photos - wow! Glad you have such a good time. Now hand over the shrimp and scallops, LOL, and nobody will get hurt...

Marie said...

Love all these photos! Looks like you two had a blast! His dinner looks so good!! I'm looking forward to living in NC. :)

Carletta said...

These make me want to take a vacation Betsy!
The sky shots are just gorgeous!
The light on the pier was captured at exactly the right moment!
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

Hello Betsy,
I came across your blog by accident and what a lovely accident it was. You have a beautiful blog full of happy thoughts and photos. Thank you for making my day just a little bit brighter.
Blossom.

Beatriz said...

Hello Betsy

I'm a sea person for sure, although I'm now living in the mountains....
How good is a brighter day in the sun on a beach with this blue sky ... Your photo with the fishing pier behind is amazing!
Your summer really looks fantastic!!!

A big hug

Bia
www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

not lazy but well earned relaxation rest. Give me some scallops. Love the jetty.

Small Kucing said...

very big waves.

what's George having? I want some too...LOL

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I can see why you and George love this beautiful ocean retreat, Betsy! The views are gorgeous and the food at Dockside In looks outstanding! I'm also a seafood lover and miss the fresh clams. oysters and lobster I use to get in NYC. The shrimp here is good and the crab id flown in from Northern California so that is also good.

A Colorful World said...

You two let us all join in on your wonderful vacation! How sweet. i really do feel like I was there too, hearing the gulls, smelling the salt air, tasting thye seafood! :-) Lovely place and I can see why you love to go there. The pictures of the two of you are so sweet. I love the photo of the stormy sky, and also that pier shot with the blue blue water!

Twilight Man said...

I love the couple shots of handsome George and pretty Betsy! Your happy smiles always make me very happy too! I want to live such a beautiful retirement lives like you both!

You were so lucky to get the whole beach to yourselves. I never had such luck in our Asian beaches.