The Beach in Winter--December, 2013

Sunrise at Ocean Isle Beach -12/4

We love going to the beach in December.  We go to Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina (north of Myrtle Beach).  We love it there when we go each year in May---but we almost love it as much in winter...

I have two posts sharing photos from this wonderful beach,  and this is the first one.  Hope you enjoy seeing these pictures --especially in winter when so many of us 'dream' about going somewhere like the beach!

Be sure to click on the photos for enlargements.  Above is a sunrise we saw from our room on December 4.  There were clouds down low that morning --but the sky above was pretty.  We cannot see the sunrise in May---so seeing this (and seeing the sunsets) in December is VERY special...  I certainly don't mind getting up early to see the sunrise here.

Islander Inn

Once we were able to walk on the beach on December 4,  we took a photo of our  'home' that week.  Our room is the 2nd building from the right (above the gazebo),  the top one on the left...  We ask for this room each time we go there..

The Islander Inn's rooms have everything we need (ocean-front room, king bed, sofa/chairs, desk, coffee pot, big TV, internet, microwave, small refrigerator, porch, full bath, etc.).  They also provide a great breakfast each morning .  AND--for those interested, there is an indoor pool and  outdoor pool (closed in winter).  We highly recommend it --and the price is definitely right especially in the off-season!

George on the beach

George and I LOVE walking on the beach --both in May and December.  Since we choose the off-seasons,  the beach is almost always OURS --with few others around. 

Sun-Dog

On the afternoon of December 3,  we were waiting to see the sunset --when we noticed a 'sun dog'.... Wikipedia says that this is an atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots of light in the sky, often on a luminous ring or halo on either side of the sun.  Neat, huh????

Birds on the beach

We didn't see many birds on the beach this year (like we did last December when it was MUCH colder there).  But---I did manage to see a few and get some photos!

Betsy on the beach

Here is a photo George took of me when we were taking one of our MANY walks on the beach.  The weather warmed up nicely and we didn't have to wear our sweatshirts all week.  (Some of you may remember last year's trip here when it was SO cold.... Click HERE for that post.  This year we came more prepared for cold weather --and it was not cold at all.  Go Figure!!!! ha)

Sunset- 12/3

This was the prettiest sunset we saw all week.  It was on Dec. 3.  It was just fantastic--one of those sunsets that takes your breath away!

George near the Fishing Pier

Here's George as we took another of our long walks on the beach... We took long walks twice every day... Great Exercise!!!  I love this photo of the Fishing Pier --showing its reflections.

The Gazebo at the Islander Inn

From our porch,  we could look down on the Gazebo below us... We did sit on this Gazebo a few times this week, and even took some photos from there.

Sunset,  12/5

Here's another sunset photo.  I love the way the sun's colors can light up the entire sky...

Betsy on the Gazebo.

I was fascinated with the dunes at Ocean Isle Beach... These sea oats are SO pretty.

Us at Ocean Isle Beach

Here is a photo of us taken on 12/4.  This was taken at the Calabash Creamery --where we had some ICE CREAM... Yum!!!!

As I said,  I have one more post from the beach to share.  Hope you are enjoying seeing our photos from this fun trip!!!!

Be sure to check out my sidebar.   I did my 'monthly' change of quotes... Hopefully,  one of those quotes will speak to you--or to someone you know!

Hugs,

Emoticons

Some Alabama Waterfalls

Little River Falls- 45 feet

In March of 2013,  George and I spent a couple of days in Fort Payne, Alabama.  We were celebrating George's birthday by hiking and seeing waterfalls!!!!  I published some posts telling of our hiking adventures and of the birthday.  But--I wanted to show you all of the waterfalls we saw while in DeSoto State Park and the Little River Canyon National Preserve near Fort Payne.  Be sure to click on the photos for enlargements.

Little River Falls (from another angle on the other side of the river)

Lodge Falls (near the lodge at DeSoto State Park)

Indian Falls  (there's a bridge above the falls which you can walk across)

Azalea Cascades  (not too much water here --but pretty, seeing it flow down the mountain)

Lost Falls (a nice hike back in the woods to see this one)

Laurel Falls  (on the same hike where we saw Lost Falls-photo above)

And the 'biggie' at DeSoto State Park,  DeSoto Falls (too big for one photo)

The other part of DeSoto Falls - 104 feet

All of DeSoto Falls (from the other side of the canyon)

DeSoto Falls (close-up of the bottom---104 feet)

Well---that was a great little trip --and George had a nice birthday last March.  There are other waterfalls in the area (Noccalula Falls in Gadsden plus a couple more in the Little River Canyon area)---but we were happy to see what we saw this trip.

I'll close with one more photo of us taken the day we hiked to Lost and Laurel Falls.  This photo was taken at Lost Falls.

George and Betsy at Lost Falls

Well---this ole' woman has had to get bifocals now...  I've never worn anything but reading glasses --so this is really taking some getting used to.  Haven't tried to do any photos yet with the new glasses....  Should be interesting!!!  Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday! It has finally warmed up a little here!!!  But--winter is NOT over!!

Hugs,

Emoticons