Category Archives: USA

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The Northwoods (Maine)

Lily Bay State park on Moosehead Lake is one of our favorites and we had a beautiful spot on the lake with our own very little beach.

The scenery in this part of the state is stunning, especially with the fresh grass and leaves.

We went twice on moose safari – early in the morning and at dusk – without any sightings, but we believe we’ve found a good swampy spot for future safaris. These safaris entailed bouncing around on logging roads without seeing a single moose soul.

We finally spotted a young moose on a dirt road as we were driving back to Lily Bay! Otherwise I thought the only moose I’d see was the one at Stress Free Moose Pub in Greenville!

sunset at Kokadjo
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Spring Colors Abound in Cape Fear, NC

BRIGHT COLOR ALERT!!!

We returned to Fort Fisher on Cape Fear, NC. This place epitomizes a southern coastal community with it’s long, sandy beach, palm trees, and colorful stilted beach homes. It is my dream to rent one of these and enjoy my morning coffee on the balcony or terrace overlooking the ocean.

We stopped in Wilmington to visit Airlie Gardens and had our Spring flower hors d’ouevres! Yes, we will be following Spring and passing it by at some point and it will arrive after us!

The private gardens were created in 1886 by Mrs Jones, of the Pembroke Jones family, and the name “Airlie” came from their home in Scotland. It was designed as a natural Southern garden with azaleas, camellias, magnolias, palms and wisteria. In 1999 it was purchased by New Hanover County and made into a public garden. In 2018 more than 300 trees were felled by Hurricane Florence. There are so many beautiful live oaks throughout the park, several of them more than 400 years old.

I particularly like to look closely at all that is growing on the oaks.

Colors abound with the camellias, azaleas and tulips.

Birds and turtles

My favorites .. the dogwood!

And then several hours north (to the east of Washington, NC) is this idyllic state park – Goose Creek State Park – with beautiful private camp spaces surrounded by swaying grasses and jumping Border Collies!

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South Carolina beaches and the Gullahs

I love the diversity of coastal South Carolina – from saltwater swamps to extensive white sand (shell) beaches.

While in the Beaufort area we took some drives around the back roads and I went on a tour of Gullah Culture, which was fabulous.

We stayed at Myrtle Beach State Park

Dinner at Hot Fish in Murrels Inlet

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South Carolina lowlands

We left our beloved beach in Mayport and the nearby jungle trails and started our slow trek northwards.

First stop is Parris Island, SC at the Marine Corps Training Station. This morning we witnessed the graduation of six platoons, each with about 40 young marines, as they took part in their graduation parade. I always love a good military parade!

Our campsite is down the road from Elliot beach where we saw a beautiful sunset and full moon yesterday.

Today we explored Beaufort a little – we’ve been there before and love the beautiful historic homes on streets overhung with Spanish moss. Here’s a sneak peek! We’ll be back tomorrow for the farmers market and more wanderings.

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Timucuan Preserve

Despite being on the outskirts of Jacksonville, we are fortunate to have the St. Johns River, the expansive beach and the unspoiled coastal wetlands of the Timucuan Preserve nearby. (See us at the blue dot!)

We are at the BLUE DOT

We visited the Timucuan Preserve twice for lovely walks through the hardwood hammocks where the beautiful spanish moss drapes the trees, and the salt marshes are a haven for birdlife .

The Theodore Roosevelt area (above)  encompasses 600 acres and was bequeathed by Willie Browne. It’s considered one of the greatest gifts in the city of Jacksonville’s history. More on Willie Browne and his family here.

It is thought that there is 6,000 years of human history in this area and one can see ancient piles of discarded oyster shells which was thought to be the staple diet of the Timucuan and yields clues to an extinct culture.

these shells entangled in the roots of a fallen tree.

The St. Johns River and Ribault Column (part of the Fort Caroline National Memorial).

On the other side of the naval station and alongside the river we discovered this HUGE seafood market (Safe Harbor) and jointly owned restaurant where the fish is offloaded right in front of you.

More fun times with Ffly on the beach…

Help! Help! you see that big Irish Wolfhound that might get me??????

A face only a dog mother could love!!! After diving through the waves and then rolling in the sand!!!

 

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Van Gogh exhibition – an immersive experience

The story and the art of Vincent van Gogh has fascinated me since I was in my teens. I remember reading a biography – inches thick – that kept me spellbound! How can a person experience and produce so much in 37 short years? About 2,100 artworks of which 860 were oil paintings. Born into relative privilege and yet living in poverty and suffering deep depression. His friendship with fellow-artist Gauguin ended in tragedy when he cut off part of his ear with a razor! and then suicide – all before he became recognized as a great artist.

We were happy to be able to go to Boston to visit one of the many van Gogh exhibits in the country. It truly was immersive and we were thrilled to sit in a deckchair in the Strand Theatre and see his works of art literally come to life all around us – 360 degrees!

The photos and videos below are from the 360 degree immersive experience.

Video of cart in fields

Video – sunflowers