Some of the (or at least MY) best trips are the last minute, unexpected ones. And that's what my trip to Bald Head Island was back at the end of June! I decided to join two of my dear friends from college and their families less than a week before they were scheduled to depart on a ferry headed to the island for a week. Not only was I really excited to vacation with good friends (something we probably dreamed about in our college days) but I was also thrilled to be returning to BHI. Bald Head is near and dear to my heart after taking two boat trips there back in '94 and '04. It looks like I'm on a roll with this whole every 10 year trip to BHI thing, but I'm really hoping I return there a lot sooner this next time. Anyway, I love the feel of this small, quiet, and charming island where cars are not allowed and golf carts are a way of life. It was a fabulous week full of relaxing, great memories, time to catch up, and sun!
Day 1
How fitting that I would start and end my day of travel to BHI on a ferry. I was on the 6:55am Jamestown ferry Sunday morning to allow ample time for me to get down to Southport, NC where we would catch the 2:30 ferry to the island. The morning was quite dreary but the vacation surely was not!
After unloading our (3) cars and getting all 12 of us and our belongings onto the BHI ferry, we felt like we could finally breath a sigh of relief and that vacation had officially begun.
A was convinced that she wouldn't get wet if she squatted like this when we crossed a big wake :)
So excited to be pulling into the marina and see the BHI sign...brought back lots of good memories/feelings of relief of when we pulled in on our boat after riding in rough water and were so happy to see land.
After quickly settling in to our comfortable accommodations for the week, it was time to...
Run for the ocean!
All of the kiddos minus Baby J
Day 2
The golf cart of choice for the week named "Watermelon" was the speedy one that the kiddos always piled onto when it was time to "drive" anywhere. There wasn't much drama the entire week, but when there was some, it was usually over who got to ride in the faster golf cart and who beat the other to our destination. It cracked me up!
A nice little golf-cart-sized garage
Baby J, not yet 4 weeks when we left, was a champ at the beach! He caught plenty of ZZZs in this adorable baby-sized tent.
A beautiful first full day at the beach...
The golf cart parking lot full of fancy and not-so-fancy rides.
I took one of the carts for an afternoon ride to the opposite side of the island (by the marina where we arrived) to explore...
Old Baldy Lighthouse
Only on BHI would you see a boat being towed by a golf cart.
I came back to find the kiddos on the bunks watching a movie...so cute!
We all randomly came out with green shorts on this night!
Day 3
L had to "help" carry our gear to the beach
One of the few days of the week where the skies looked threatening. Of course, we still managed to squeeze in some beach time before the showers rolled in.
These kids were so content on the beach. It just makes everyone happy!
Teamwork! These two got along great and had fun playing together the entire week. So cute!
Sarah lulling L to sleep with a nice beach stroll...
An afternoon shower was cause to break open one of the puzzles at the house. Sarah & I were both highly focused on getting this one done as soon as possible.
After the weather cleared, all of us took a tour around the island on the carts. Note who is riding on Watermelon!
L stylin' some macaroni earrings :)
Looks like the tradition continues with the next generation. Nothing better to snack on than Lime Tostitos!
Day 4
David recommended some of the "nature" trails located a short distance from our house. I thought I would take a walk one morning and see what I could find. All I found were about 1000 spider webs (all of which I walked right through) and a winding path through the woods that seemed to never end.
David recommended some of the "nature" trails located a short distance from our house. I thought I would take a walk one morning and see what I could find. All I found were about 1000 spider webs (all of which I walked right through) and a winding path through the woods that seemed to never end.
Creative way to keep golf carts out...
At certain points I couldn't even tell if I was actually still on the trail, but thankfully they did have these little green signs occasionally on trees to indicate I was still on the path. I mean...I know I was on a small island so I couldn't get but so lost...but it's still slightly eerie to feel lost in the woods.
Finally...an opening on the trail and a beautiful view of the marshy inside of the island
More pool & beach fun. We usually spent time at both each day.
Sarah and her girls...love this one!
Lots of ocean swimming...
...and beach playing.
One minute laughing...
...the next snoozing away. What's better than a nap on the beach?....
Not much!
After another great day in the sun, I ventured out on another golf cart ride exploring
around the island.
I found a neat path off the main road that led to this dock. It provided a great spot to see the island's marsh areas and it was covered in the small black crabs pictured below
A few cell phone photos of riding around seeing the sights...
Dirt roads, no traffic (or cars for that matter), never too far from water of some sort, trees everywhere, no commercialization...a perfect place to getaway
Because our house basically had no cell service (a blessing!) nor did our entire end of the island, I went down to the marina side of the island a couple of times to check in at home. I found a nice rocking chair to enjoy a beautiful sunset as I made a couple calls. This place made me so happy...
And that was the first part of our trip. Part II to come...
