My sister and I both love to just take off and randomly pick a destination to explore. While keeping it to a day’s ride, we don’t plan we just go. It’s not just the adventure of going somewhere new, it’s the freedom to be able to do it that is important.
On the day trips we explore new locations and sometimes new restaurants. Sometimes we shop, and sometimes we just stand in awe of what God has created.
On today’s day trip we set out to Fort Fisher, in particular the Aquarium. We arrive at the Aquarium only to be met with a sign “Reservations Required”. Who has ever made a reservation to any of the Aquariums – which is managed by your tax dollars? Since the parking lot was full we decided to do something else. Enroute to the Aquarium we had passed a beautiful location on the beach. We got out and took some shots of the beach and then went across the road to the actual fort. Despite the cloudy day I managed to get these shots.
Fort Fisher
Live life in the moment. Some things have to be planned but every now and then you just need to have an adventure!
Thank you for going on this journey with me. Please like and share.
When my sister asked if I wanted to go to Atlantic City I could not turn her down. ONLY if you knew my husband and my dog could you fully appreciate my response.
We left out on Thursday, on a day that was less than perfect. When we get on the plane and the pilot says “It’s going to be a rough flight….”, it really made me question just how bad it would get. Leaving from Greenville in the rain I knew it would be a little rough. It really wasn’t that bad until we landed with a “BANG” on the tarmac.
We got off the plane and had to race to the front door of the airport to catch the bus to Harrah’s hotel and casino. We checked in and excitedly made our way to our assigned room, it was not the room we requested. Back down to customer relations we went. With a new assignment on the 15th floor we headed back to the elevator and up to our new room. Excited when we opened the door that it had the correct number of beds in it, we filed in and sat down in relief.
Moments later we saw this:
The Bay
Our view of the bay included broken glass. It was pointless to complain because the hotel was full. Even though there was another plate of glass I just shook my head. How could ANY hotel rent a room in this condition…oh it gets better!
The bathroom was great and spacious with a large shower but the door would not close completely. I looked up to see a huge crack in the door…the door is a good 2 inches!
Well, we were off to a good start. Apparently since Covid the hotels are using that as an excuse NOT to clean the rooms! So now we have a large room with a cracked window, a cracked bathroom door, and now apparently…we are the maids and there must have been a run on washcloths because we were told at that time there weren’t any. This was just Thursday on arrival.
After changing to comfortable shoes we went downstairs to eat and hit the casino floor. If you ever get any ideas about winning money in a casino….don’t!! We fed those stupid machines like they were starving! You can guess who came out on the starving end of that deal!
On Friday we took a little commuter bus called a Jitney over to the Tropicana for breakfast. A great little restaurant called the Gilchrist was calling our name. The food was great and so was the price. Afterwards we of course headed to the casino. We casino hopped between the Tropicana, Ceasars and the Wild West casinos. We took our breaks out on the boardwalk…here’s the view:
Come back for more of our Atlantic City adventure.
While doing some pre-fall cleaning, I have found more beach photos. As I have gotten older, I really am not a beach person. There are a few things at the beach that can make shooting interesting. The piers, the dunes, the sunrise and sunsets and more….
Not only are you looking at sand but snow on the dunes!
The first lesson of photography, don’t shoot just to be shooting! When I shot the pier I was not just thinking “Oh that would make a cute pic” but how interesting the geometrics were of the cross beams underneath the pier. The more complex your picture is the more interesting to the viewer. It’s the “WOW” effect that you are after.
In the second picture, I didn’t just want to get the beach but to capture the whole experience. Even the sea oats seem to make a statement. Make the uninteresting interesting. It was important not to just capture the beach but the snow on the beach. Not just the dunes, but capture the holes and footprints on the dunes. Don’t settle for less than perfect pictures. If you are not there yet, keep practicing you will be there soon.
For thousands of people, the beach is not just a place to plant your feet in the sand, but a place to depart from their busy lives. It’s like taking a bath and washing off all of the dirt in the ocean. Here are some shots to remind you of your beach experience.
Sand Dunes Ocean at dawn…The BeachThe Waves
While Covid-19 may have limited our access to the beach over the past few months, we will always have the memories!
Thousands of people each year flock to the beaches just to get a glimpse of the rolling waves, massive piers and calming sand dunes. The images below were shot several years ago. They are a reminder of calmer times.
A Pier Experience
While hundreds of people walk on these rough wooden planks daily to catch what lies beyond, others are satisfied just to relax in their shadow.
Fading Dunes
These sandy dunes are just an example of the deteriation of the beaches. While the Sea Oats fight to hold back each grain, beach traffic and harsh weather has taken it toll on the environment.
Sunrise At The Beach
Other than the tramatic sunsets, this image is a scene everyone would love to wake up to.
Our environment and lifestyle have deteriorated greately since these shots were taken. This is a reminder that we cannot afford to take even one moment for granted.
Through My Eyes 