Why wait until the beaches are overrun with lotion smeared sun hogs? Go off season to the beach, and discover the wonders presented in the quiet.
This past weekend, I was on assignment covering an artist appearing at the North Carolina Jazz Fest. While that event and the people connected with it were absolutely wonderful - I was doubly blessed with the opportunity to stay on Carolina Beach.
The beach in February, you might ask?
Yes. And it too was fantastic.
Granted instead of a bathing suit I had sweatshirts, Crocs with socks replaced flip flops and a hat for warmth, and not sun protection, rested on my head.
I also brought along my trusty bike, and after a hearty breakfast at the Microtel Motel - where I learned I had a gift for waffle making at the continental breakast - I headed a few miles down the road to Fort Fisher.
There I buzzed by the Atlantic as its surf crashed along the large rocks. Its unceasing power encouraged me to take the bike trail which snaked past the Aquarium and letout by the Southport bound ferry doc k, I pedaled on to the tip of the island where a lonely windswept marker denotes one of the final "nail in the coffin" moments for the Confederacy.
Trees twisted by frequent storms provided photographic moments as fresh smells of salt and sweet juniper highlighted the ever presence of nature.
With the afternoon temperature hovering in the low 60's and the sun set in a bright blue sky I gave into a secret love of mine - kite flying. Soon I had both my deltas dancing in the ocean breezes high above the golden sands.
A winter wonderland without the snow....and the crowds.
