Hippity Hop is back

I was enjoying the coolness of the air on the balcony this morning, thinking deep thoughts. I caught some movement and sure enough, Mr. Frog is back (or he never left and lives here now). I came inside and let him have the place to himself. Seriously, if he had jumped onto my leg... 

OIB Part Six

Sunrise. The cloud bank on the horizon is over the Outer Banks, 100 miles away.

The obligatory toes-in-the-surf shot.

OIB Part Five

 

OIB Part Four

The weather has improved, sunny skies ahead.

OIB Part Three

 The weather improved yesterday long enough for a couple to have a beach wedding in front of the hotel.

After the ceremony and the photos they went for a swim.

This morning's skies:

"Bad weather makes for good photography." ~ Ansel Adams

I don't know if Adams really said that but I can see the point. Less than perfect weather/light makes you work harder to get a decent photo.

OIB Part Two

"When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.” Rainer Maria Rilke

Well, the perfect weather has been replaced today. (I still have hope for tomorrow) 

I'm a big fan of Rilke; thanks to my friend Bonnie for sharing this most appropriate quote. ❤️

OIB Part One

The weather is perfect so far. The hotel is adequate; I wouldn't book it again. More on that later. The view is awesome and the beach is so nice, no big crowds. 

The Gathering

Good Wednesday morning!

I am going to Ocean Isle Beach, NC on Sunday, for a week. I don't think I've been on a vacation of more than a few days since 2009. I could be wrong... 

Anyway, these are the days of gathering - stuff. I have lists. Oddly enough, chargers are number one. I don't want to spend five minutes of my week looking for a place to buy a charger. That has happened, once.

I had a reservation for this same hotel Laboy Day of 2020. Then someone hit my car the day before I was to leave. As it turned out, Sofia was much sicker than we thought and she ended up in the hospital by the end of the week. Fate stepped in and I was where I needed to be. Anyway, Beau has had his checkup and even at sixteen, he should be okay at the Inn/Spa while I'm away. It's part of his vet's office so they are on site if he has any problems.

I've looked forward to this trip for so long I'm not sure OIB can live up to my expectations. Ha!

A Visitor

I went out on the balcony before sunrise to enjoy the cooler temps. As I pulled a dead leaf off one of the plants, I saw something jump. I assumed it was a bug and didn't give it much thought. As the sky lightened, I saw that it was a frog... on the 5th floor! I tried to get a pic with my phone but it was too dark to get a focus. I went inside and got the Fuji/80mm. Still didn't get a great pic, low light and a slippery subject made sharpness near impossible. (rethinking my lenses now)  Note: if he had jumped on me, I'd still be running and screaming.  Note 2: Being visited by a frog is supposed to be good luck. 🙂

And, hibiscus with sunrise. 

Sunday Morning

Enjoying a fall-like morning on my balcony; waning Crescent moon, hummingbirds and latte. Delicious. I don't think our hot weather is gone for good but I have enjoyed the lower temps and low humidity.