Carolina Beach, North Carolina
For our anniversary our daughter treated us to a weekend getaway at the shore, and our son and daughter-in-law came up from Georgia to join us!
Things didn’t go exactly as planned. Tim’s shortness of breath has returned and now he has a cough that might also be related to his diastolic heart failure. (He’s had additional tests and the cardiologists still don’t have any answers.) So we knew ahead of time that he wouldn’t be able to take this long morning walk with me.
It wound up being an afternoon walk because I wound up sick with a flare-up that morning. I needed several hours to recover while the rest of the crew enjoyed visiting, and some time spent at a nearby playground and a walk down to the beach.
When I finally rallied Nate took some of us for a short ride in his huge truck — quite a thrill for me! Arriving at Carolina Beach State Park we then walked about three miles, looking for Venus flytraps in their native habitat and a 50′ high sand dune overlooking the Cape Fear River. The weather was lovely with comfortable temps and just a few drops of rain near the end.
most of our walk looked like this
provided Finn with plenty of kicking options
The cones of longleaf pine are the largest of the southern pine and range in size from 5 to 12 inches in length. Because of their large size, only animals like the fox squirrel are sizable enough to manipulate and open the longleaf pine cones to eat the seeds before they fall to the ground.
~ The Longleaf Alliance website
looking out over the Cape Fear River
The urge to run down the dune to the river proved to be irresistible for the kids, but Nate and I continued to rest at the top, and discussed possible routes back to the parking lot. Tried to get some pictures between all the trees with the zoom lens. Not sure if I’ve ever seen a dune covered with a forest before.
We basically decided to retrace our steps and never did see any Venus flytraps. But, there were lots of pitcher plants in the area where the flytraps were supposed to be. And, as we got back close to the parking lot Finn spotted a broad-headed skink hiding in the leaves.
It was fun climbing up into the truck for the short ride back to the vacation rental. I was so happy to have shared this walk with my son who I don’t get to see often enough. A happy memory to cherish. Each one is precious, and all the more so the older we get.
do you know why its called Cape Fear, Barbara?
According to AI:
The Cape Fear River got its name from the treacherous shoals at its mouth, which early mariners called “Cape of Fear”. These shoals, stretching for miles into the Atlantic, were a major hazard for ships navigating the area. The river was initially named “Rio Jordan” by Spanish explorers in the 1500s, but the name “Cape Fear” stuck due to the dangerous conditions.
I so very much enjoyed this adventure in the woods and riverside, Barbara. How wonderful it must’ve been for all of you to explore together. I enjoyed the great photos, especially the pitcher plants and Finn’s find the skink.
I remember reading about and seeing pictures of skinks on your blog, Jet, and learning that there are different kinds of them on both coasts. It was exciting for Finn to find one and now I’ve got a picture of my own.
Dear Barbara, I am beaming from ear to ear after reading your lovely message. Thank you.
You’re so very welcome, Jet! ♡
I’m glad you finally felt well enough to enjoy this trek, Barbara (but sorry to hear of your hub’s shortness of breath). I don’t guess I’ve ever seen a skink — ew, creepy! The prickly pear flower is lovely — and such a cheerful color.
Thank you, Debbie. We did have to make the best of our limitations that day — what a difference from 50 years ago! That was my first sighting of a skink and I didn’t find it all that appealing to look at. But, I agree, that bright yellow prickly pear flower was a beautiful find in the woods!
A fun adventure, I’d say. Those kids have lots of energy, I can only wish!
Sorry to hear of you and Tim’s continuing health challenges. One can only count the good days, I guess.
Thank you, Eliza.
We’re learning to accept whatever happens on any given day with equanimity. Witnessing the grandchildren embrace life with so much enthusiasm brings us so much joy!
How nice to have this getaway for an anniversary present and to spend it with your children – what a thoughtful gift! So, this was the second excursion with the kids who are enjoying their new finds, even a skink (which I’ve never seen before this post). I’m sorry to hear your anniversary weekend getaway was marred by illness. I’m glad you rallied back and hopefully Tim is feeling better by now.
It was a very thoughtful gift. The kids spoiled us thoroughly and we didn’t have to lift a finger all weekend. That was my first time seeing a skink, too. I suspect some things have no cure and must be accommodated, and perhaps Tim will be burdened with the shortness of breath for the rest of his life. Doctors just don’t like to tell you they can’t fix something. We’ll have to adjust and make the best of it.
How nice Barbara – it makes it all worth it for any trepidations you might have had about making a move from Connecticut. Perhaps it is the Spring weather that is bothering Tim, all the heat and humidity rearing its ugly head if he was okay all Winter when it was colder?
No, unfortunately, it’s not the weather, it’s his diastolic heart failure progressing. The stents fixed his blood vessels but this part of the problem is that his heart muscle is getting stiffer and it will be harder and harder for it to do the work it needs to do.
I’m sorry to hear that Barbara. I’m glad they put Tim back on his medication though, so perhaps that will help him get regulated somewhat.