Sanderlings

These are just some of the Sanderlings we saw on the beach at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina just three short weeks ago.

p.s. I see a change from the beach pictures coming soon.

Safety First

Another picture taken during the autumn leaf color season. This one is an old hunting camp that has been around for as long as I can remember.

Cherry Grove Pier

The closest pier to our hotel in North Myrle Beach, South Carolina, was the Cherry Grove Pier. I knew I wanted to get some pictures of the pier and knew that sunrise pictures would be great. (You'll see them later) So late Saturday morning I drove up to the pier to check it out. I didn't go out on the pier, at this time of day, as you can see, it was full of fisherman. But I did get to look it over and planned for the next mornings walk. Cherry Grove Pier was built in the 1950's and sticks out into the ocean 985 feet. The worlds record tiger shark was caught off this pier in 1964 and weighed in at 1780 pounds the next day.

Breakfast with the Pelicans

This was my first opportunity to get any pelican pictures. I had seen some in Chincoteague over the summer but didn't have the camera with me. These were taken Monday morning at North Myrtle north of the Cherry Grove pier. It was funny watching them fishing. Slowly circling then just a bee line into the water with a big splash.

West Virgina Barn

Grizz took a trip down to West, by God, Virginia and sent me this picture. This isn't what I picture as a bear-proof hog pen, but I'm guessing some sort of farm critter lives here. I think those might be turkey feet nailed to the front there. You too can check out this barn if you happen to find yourself on Route 20 about 20 miles south of Buckhannon, West Virginia. Let me know if you do.

Watching Dolphins

Shortly after checking into our North Myrtle Beach hotel I heard a commotion from the beach and dolphins were in close to shore appearing to be surfing with the other body surfers. I went to grab my camera but realized that the big lens was in the camera bag and it was across the street in the truck. So I just watched. Saturday afternoon the swam by but not as close to the shore as Friday. I stood on my balcony and shot these pictures. I would guess there to be 15 to 20 dolphins in 4 different groups.

North Myrtle Birds, SC

I noticed right away there are some differences between the ocean beach on Assateague Island, Virginia and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The beach isn't as flat, the water isn't as blue and you can't see these 20 story hotels from the beach. Two very different versions of the same thing.

Pedro Galore, part 2

More of Pedro. Or maybe one of these guys is Pancho. I didn't ask.

Pedro Galore, part 1

South of the Border, in Dillon, South Carolina, sits conveniently off of Interstate 95 and just south of the North Carolina Border. When you get off of the southbound ramp you are in SC. Loop around the exit and cross the bridge over the interstate and you are back in NC. Turn down the road towards SOB and you're back in SC. Good thing you don't need passports to go from state to state. The owner went to Mexico to work on a business deal and brought two Mexicans back to work at the Motel he had here by then. The guest just started referring to them as Pedro and Pancho. Pedro has since been immortalized in fiberglass and cloned repeatedly. (Notice the header says, "part 1")

South of the Border, Dillon, SC

Started in 1949 as a beer stand to supply southern North Carolina with a little brewski, South of the Border gradually just grew larger and larger until you have the metropolis that sits along Interstate 95 today.

Good Morning Sunshine

A small reminder of summer, here is the sunrise on the beach on Assateague Island, Virginia. I took this on our last day of vacation back in August, Maybe I should have saved this for mid winter when the snow is really flying.

E4Lt's Painted Gentleman

See? I'm not the only one who looks for these. This blog has altered the way some people look at the world. And I don't know if that's a good thing or not. My old friend E4Lt sent these to me. He found them along Route 9 in Hedgesville, West Virginia and the other in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. E4Lt is a Lieutenant on Engine 4 (figure that one out for yourself) with the Washington DC Fire Department. Thanks, Lieu.

Fire It Up!

One of the balloons firing up for the Balloon Night Glow at the Green Grove Gardens Balloonfest last July. I liked how it even gave the pilot a nice orangey glow.

Boat-Tailed Grackle

Correct me if I'm wrong. Please. At first when I saw these on the beach at North Myrtle, I thought it was a Brown-Headed Cowbird. But after looking through the book I now think it may be a Boat-Tailed Grackle. They was hanging out with other Common Grackles (the iridescent black ones). And the apparently like eating those little tiny clams you see all over the beach. They weren't too shy either.

Autumn at Last

A ride across the mountain last week made me realize that the leaves have been changing without me noticing. A quick trip up towards Big Flat and down Thompson Hollow was necessary. Took care of that this afternoon.

Soccer Sunset

Yes, I take soccer pictures. Post them on another site just like this one. Mom's can scrapbook them and the boys can FB them. Typically they are just soccer action shots. But Thursday between the overcast JV game and the windy-misty varsity game the sun shone through.

Pedro's Fire Department

Along Interstate 95 just as you cross into South Carolina is the roadside legend known as South of the Border. It is the ultimate tourist trap. It is way cool. Pedro is the mascot of the place. (More on the many faces of Pedro next week) As we were leaving to continue on our way I saw back between the buildings and there it was. Pedro's Fire Department. I can only assume they actually use these old engines. The red Ford/American LaFrance didn't have any lettering on it, but I assume that it is Engine 1. Just the two engines, no ladder trucks. Sorry all you truckies out there, Pedro's just ain't feelin' your love.

Carolina Dreaming

This past weekend I drove more than nine hours to celebrate the wedding of a friend on the beach in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This was my first time in Myrtle so I didn't know what to expect. The weather could not have been any better for early October. Low to mid 80's and not a cloud in the sky for the four days we were there. This is the view from pool side at our hotel. Awesome, nothing could be finer.

LTL - The Giant Sparkplug

As seen at South of the Border in Dillon, South Carolina. Had to be ten feet tall standing right there by the gas pumps. It became a sticker magnet.

Eat, Bathe, Rest

Repeat as necessary.

Baseball's Brighter Side

Unlike yesterday (I really am sorry) today I give you something a little more positive. The people somehow won some contest or something and the players came out after the game and gave them the shirts off their backs. They even signed them. Some even threw their hats into the crowd as they went back into the dugout.