Hunting Island, SC

After a short few days in Washington, DC and an even shorter July 4th weekend at home we headed back out to the Carolina coast. This time we headed to Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina. I'd read that this was a special place. It's use as the backdrop for the Vietnam war scenes in the movie "Forrest Gump" made me wonder just how "tropical" a South Carolina beach Island could be. It met the hype - and more!

This is a very nice island that is undeveloped (State Park), a protected turtle nesting area, very family friendly, and has a very beautiful beach front. The grassland salt marches that are along the inter-coastal provide a great habitat for a variety of birds as well as an estuary for many species of sea-life.

This would be a great spot to spend time in the spring watching the migration of sea birds. There were a few present in July, but the flocks found in the spring would make that a worthwhile trip.

Good fishing, wonderful sea-shell hunting, morning walks on the beach - it simply doesn't get any better.

Here's a link to some images of coastal Carolina.

Cheers,

Monty

Outer Banks

My week at the Outer Banks of North Carolina is almost complete. Ocracoke Island, Hatteras Island (where we camped), Bodie Island, Currituck Island - all parts of what make up a beautiful barrier island paradise off the coast of North Carolina.

A week is the minimum amount of time needed to explore these islands as the chain is 100 miles in length with speed limits that are as low as 25 averaging about 40. There are many State Parks, National Parks, Lighthouses and National shoreline to check out in addition to boutiques & restaurants.

Protecting the dunes is foremost in managing this natural wonder. There are numerous entry points for vehicles to drive on the beach - but beware, you'll need an SUV with 4-wheel drive and high clearance if you plan to go out on the beaches.

I've tried to capture the various aspects of these islands in the photographs in this gallery. I hope you enjoy the images as much as I've enjoyed my week here in coastal paradise.

Next week I'll be in our nations capital being a tourist to the core and then after the July 4th weekend I'll be headed down to the South Carolina coast bordering with Georgia. Charleston, Hilton Head, Hunting Island and Savannah are on the agenda for the beginning of July.

Hawaii is planned for the end of the month - the big Island! More to come...

Cheers,

Monty