I found an almost perfect place for vacationing. Now, of course, that depends on what YOUR idea of a vacation is! My teens were not thrilled, but enjoyed it, my husband and I liked it because it was quiet and disconnected and not touristy at all. We had a house that looked out over the inlet, we technically didn’t have access to the water, but our house had 2 kayaks we could use. The house across the street was empty and boarded against the summer weather, so we just used their dock as our own. It was so nice to go and sit and watch the birds, the fish, the crabs…
One thing I have to say about this little place, nobody’s in a hurry. I mean that in a good way. Life is just so much slower. Most people who live in the community have golf carts to get to and from town and only drive their cars when they leave the island. Truly, most every thing is town is based upon the tides, that is the only thing that matters. When it is low tide, no boats are getting in or out, when its high tide, its beautiful. You don’t want to get stuck out at sea and the tide go out, you’d be stranded! We had to learn to wait, just a little. We had to wait, for our food. We had to wait, for the tide to come in. One of the best things to wait for though, was the sunset. Have you ever REALLY watched a sunset? On the ocean? It literally look as if it is melting into the water. Beautiful!
Not having gotten enough of the ocean yet, we found out that if you go to the islands in the wildlfe preserve surrounding the main island, that there are beaches there. We had already planned to rent a pontoon boat anyway, so the next day away we went! Four hours on the water, visited 4 or 5 islands, saw dolphins and pelicans and these very odd diving black ducks. Oh, and we also saw a school of small fishing who looked as if they we doing synchronized swimming, simultaneously jumping out of the water as they raced along (we think maybe they were fleeing from the dolphins!)
Not having internet access was interesting. I was almost completely disconnected from the fast pace of home. I could visit facebook somewhat, via my phone. And I could also get text mssages. I learned I had to stand in a certain corner of my room, or out at the end of the porch if I wanted any service at all. We actually had to call businesses and ask them about their menus and hours, no visiting via website! Just totally different than we were used to!
I have to say, that my husband I thought it was a wonderful place, can’t wait to go back, without 4 teens in tow!
Have you ever heard Jimmy Buffett’s song about Cedar Key? It’s called “Incommunicado.”
And I have to know if you had clams. My parents go to Cedar Key every year on their anniversary to eat clams!
My favorite vacation was to Ocracoke NC. I though for a moment your pictures were from there. Very quiet. No night life. Miles of beaches. Just my cup of tea. It sounds like it might be yours, too. 🙂
kate,
I know this reply is LONG overdue, I apologize and I will send an email too in case you miss this!
It is SO funny you mentioned Ocracoke! We loved Ocracoke. We spent over a week about 8 years ago driving down the outer banks and ended up on Ocracoke. Stayed on the harbor, and we do have some beautiful pics somewhere from there (some are actually on my wall!) Funny thing was, we spent New years eve there and couldn’t find ANYTHING to do! I mean, we’re not party animals or anything, and we had a our kids, but there is not much there for sure! Not even a road to the south! We actually had to stay an extra day because we missed the ferry. If you read my other posts about this recent vacation, I would’ve been better off in Ocracoke, at least there are BEACHES there!
Love the ocean …your pictures are great !!!
It’s wonderful to disconnect from everything once in a while. This sounds like a beautiful place. I’m glad you linked up for Simple Pleasures today. I didn’t see a reference link, but the one here should take readers to it, if interested in more wondeful Simple Pleasures.