The Bridge
Separated from the mainland by a half mile bridge, it feels a world away. It is no surprise that this island, Pleasure Island, has been a favorite beach destination since the 1920s. Coming to Carolina Beach is like stepping back in time. Things move a little slower here. The style of life is laid back and casual; most business conducted in Rainbow flip flops and a polo shirt, the favored mode of transportation a Beach Cruiser bicycle.
There are no billboards, neon lights or high rises to ruin the natural beauty. It is a very small place, most of the businesses here are locally owned and operated. The motels are "mom and pops" as are the best restaurants. Run by the same families, multi generational passed down from one to the next. There is a feeling of roots here.
It is no wonder the people who settle here do not move on. The beaches are beautiful, wide, clean and un-crowded. On any given day you can watch the pelicans swoop down into the ocean or the dolphins jumping just off shore. There are great parks, bike trails and piers. There is bird watching and nature hikes at Carolina Beach state park, home to the Venus Fly Trap. Even the lake has a token alligator. Everywhere nature abounds.
On my first trip here, what really stole my heart though was the North End of Carolina Beach. With the pick up truck in four wheel drive we headed for the very end of the island. We picked our spot right beside ocean and parked it. Settled into the beach chairs for a wondrous sight. Surrounded on three sides by water, so easy to be lulled into a state of deep relaxation by the lapping waves. The sunset though was the main attraction. A sky of orange, pink, purple and blue colliding. A look backward revealed the rising moon. As the sun set the sky afire in a riot of colors before my eyes, it had also decorated the moon in a deep orange red as it rose from the ocean. Yes this is one of my most amazing evenings ever.
That sunset inspired me to make Pleasure Island my home. Life is better on this side of the bridge. And every time I return to the island and cross Snow's Cut bridge I let out a sigh of pure joy and contentment, because there is simply no place like home.
There are no billboards, neon lights or high rises to ruin the natural beauty. It is a very small place, most of the businesses here are locally owned and operated. The motels are "mom and pops" as are the best restaurants. Run by the same families, multi generational passed down from one to the next. There is a feeling of roots here.
It is no wonder the people who settle here do not move on. The beaches are beautiful, wide, clean and un-crowded. On any given day you can watch the pelicans swoop down into the ocean or the dolphins jumping just off shore. There are great parks, bike trails and piers. There is bird watching and nature hikes at Carolina Beach state park, home to the Venus Fly Trap. Even the lake has a token alligator. Everywhere nature abounds.
On my first trip here, what really stole my heart though was the North End of Carolina Beach. With the pick up truck in four wheel drive we headed for the very end of the island. We picked our spot right beside ocean and parked it. Settled into the beach chairs for a wondrous sight. Surrounded on three sides by water, so easy to be lulled into a state of deep relaxation by the lapping waves. The sunset though was the main attraction. A sky of orange, pink, purple and blue colliding. A look backward revealed the rising moon. As the sun set the sky afire in a riot of colors before my eyes, it had also decorated the moon in a deep orange red as it rose from the ocean. Yes this is one of my most amazing evenings ever.
That sunset inspired me to make Pleasure Island my home. Life is better on this side of the bridge. And every time I return to the island and cross Snow's Cut bridge I let out a sigh of pure joy and contentment, because there is simply no place like home.
