East-West North Carolina, November 2023, Part Five

 Our other big outing was to the Carolina Beach State Park, on the Cape Fear River. It is one of the few places that the Venus Flytrap grows in the wild, and there are many other naturally occurring carnivorous plants here, too. They have always been of interest to us growing up, especially for Bill. So this was an obvious visit for us.

The park is large, with campgrounds, but we concentrated on two parts. The first was, obviously, the Flytrap Trail. 

This trail, .05 miles, "loops through pocosin wetlands longleaf pine forests, and wiregrass savana communities. Venus flytraps can be seen along the edges of the pocosins." (from the park website)

Unfortunately for us, late autumn is not flytrap season, so we saw none. Even though it was nice to know that they are there and protected! 

Instead of flytraps, we saw dozens and dozens of pitcher plants. Love them all! 

From threre we drove over the river. Thre is a marina, with fortunately lots of parking spaces, a small store with mainly fishing items, and a concession stand -- closed for the off season, of course.

We walked over to the river. 

This is a bayberry bush. The berries are often used for making candles.

There was also a large platform for anglers, and it also had benches. It will probably not surprise you that we sat there for half an hour of so, watching the river, the boats, and the birds, and chatting with the anglers.

After all that fresh air, I need a little something to strengthen myself again.

It was our last night, and we decided to return to one of the restaurants we ate at earlier. Our landlady had recommend Michael's Seafood Restaurant to us, and rightly so. Wonderful fresh fish, beautifully prepared. And we all got a kick out of the fact that the trendy side dish was Tater Tots!

General thoughts on Carolina Beach: At the time of year we were there it was lovely. However, the houses are reallly crammed in very closely together. I simply cannot imagine what it must be like in high season, probably my idea of hell. There is extremely limited parking at each house, and all public parking is paid.

Although there seems to be a large year-round community, many restaurants were closed for the season. And some of the other things we want to do or see were either closed or under construction.

On the other hand, the beach was empty and lent itself beautifully to long walks, there is still much nature to appreciate, and our rental apartment with the incredibly balcony was surprisingly cheap.

East-West North Carolina, November 2023, Part 4

 At last we did something other than sitting on that lovely balcony talking or walking on the beach. Not that there's anything wrong with those things!

We have visited the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo many times, so wanted to visit the one on this part of the state, the Fort Fisher aquarium. We were greeted by a lovely fish work of art.

They not only have alligators, they have an albino alligator. He was a rescue, as he would never have survived in the wild. For one thing, his coloring provides him no protection from the heat, and for another, makes him much more obvious to predators.

Bill and the alligator. I assume they have agreed not to eat each other.

Some of our usual friends, 

They also have a large outside area, very interesting. This bald eagle is also a rescue. He was hit by a car and so badly injured that he cannot fly. He has a large area here to run around in, gets the proper food, and the carers make sure he is always challenged. 

The highlight for us was this beautiful pond, with a bridge across the middle.We stayed there a long time, sitting in the sun, and enjoying the peace, quiet, and nature, and of course the good company. 

All that fresh air naturally gives us a good appetite, so we headed to lunch. Somehow eating hotdogs at a picnic table in the parking lot of Butts and More seemed perfect.

The afternoon was devoted to naps, sitting on the balcony, and so on. And, unsurprisingly, there was a sunset. 

East-West North Carolina, November 2023, part 3

 Our beach front rental did indeed have a beach in front of it! And happily, with very few people there. 

And sea oats. 

And a few obligatory sunrise photos.

Today's post is mainly just pretty pictures, as you can tell.

We did also get out and do things, but we also spent a lot of time doing this. And, as you can see, we were joined by my brother. 

East-West North Carolina, November 2023, Part 2

 After breakfast at our hotel in Charlotte, we took off eastwards. No, wait, we first drove south about 3 minutes to Walmart, where we stocked up on necessities. Almost always our first stop! But then we headed southeastwards!

We stopped for lumch at Burger King somewhere along the way way. Managed to bypass most of Wilmington and the "big city" traffic. Over a number of bridges, and there we were! Our house was on a peninsula headed northwards.

We were, of course, far too early to check in, so we decided first to locate the house and then find something else to do. Easier said than down! The house was very difficult to find and even when I searched for the right street number 🙄 it wasn't easy. So we ended up driving all the way up to the northern tip, where there is a park and beach access -- amd paid parking only, via your phone only, etc. We said the heck with it and returned southwwards. We then stopped at the pier, with th same parking situation, and this time paid and walked around a little. Then it was approaching check in time,so we hiat a grocery store and went to the house.

It is a large house directly on the beach. Here it is from the front: 

Downstairs are two one-brdroom apartments. The top floor is the owner's apartment. We had the middle floor, with an astonishing four bedrooms. Yes, much more space thn we needed, but the photos showed it o be nice and with a balcony and iview that would knock you out.

Here it is from the back (beachside): 

We had that gigantic balcony with the stairs.

Here are some views of the inside: 4 bedrooms, two full baths, washer-dryer, large living area, etc etc. 

 The balcony had acturally three sitting areas. One was a table, where we spent most of our time, a few charis in the center, and then some more on the other end. 

Oh, and the view? Absolutley heavenly. 

The crowning touch was, of course, the price. This being the deepest part of the beach off season, it was exceptionally reasonably priced.