Leaving Leland, NC

John Messmer was a Facebook acquaintance for a while before I met him in person about four weeks ago. Now I can say that he and John are my friends. They opened up their beautiful home to me without hesitation and showed me everything North and South Carolina coasts have to offer. 

I never leave my host homes without taking their picture by MotelMiguel and this was not going to be any different. I literally took this tonight because it has been the only time you could get both of them at the same time. Poor John M. Was already in his pajamas, please don't judge him just because this is the South!

From the very first time I met John M. He was a true southern gentleman. He took my friend Mark and I around and showed us the beach, the Fort Fischer Aquarium, took us to Caseys Southern Buffet where I ate pigs feet for the first time....

The pier at Wrightsville Beach.....

This guy having a blast with his dog. I don't think he had planned to go out n the water with him but sometimes impromptu fun is the best kind of fun to let go of lifes pressures!

This seemed to be the end of surf season and most of the vacation crowd was gone. I really enjoyed going to the beaches and enjoying their true beauty without any crowds....

Columbia beach was so peaceful and quiet. I liked going out and just looking for shore birds and anything else that caught my eye...

Like the sand sculptures left behind during low tide....

Making a connection with the birds....

Getting to meet Norma Jean, the Standard Schnauzer, being silly and digging in the sand....

The free souls of youth....

The first time seeing wild dolphins and actually capturing a distant photo of one totally out of the water. 

Sometimes a simple feather on the sand made me go off into another world, for a moment forgetting all of the negative life challenges us with on a daily basis....

I will always remember Dawn, the beautiful lady that helps John around the farm...

And her grumpy husband Sam. I'm sure most of the time it's just an act but deep down he's a softie!

I'm thankful for being around friends on Thanksgiving that have just come into my life but made me feel as part of the family. 

Being here for about three weeks has done my soul a lot of good. Being at certain spots like this one below at the right time and place to capture it makes me realize that I made the right get choice in doing this adventure. 

I was walking down Holden Beach the morning I captured the picture above, I got very emotional because it really made me think how thankful I am for all of my friends and I had to scribble it on the sand and capture it to remind myself not to take anyone for granted. If it weren't for friends back home helping me, family being there for me and everyone else who has been a part of my life the last year opening their homes to me, all of this would not be possible. 

My feet touching the Atlantic Coast for the first time ever...

I stopped and watched this man capture the beauty of the carriage horses in Wilmington waterfront district. 

There are many historic sites around the coast and Fort Fischer has some beautiful scenes...

The trees are incredible...

The shoreline is bright with all the vibrant colors...

It's waves attract many surfers. I met one that welcomed me to the area and even told me to take as many pictures as I wanted. 

The bird life in the area is incredible. I got some amazing photos of many birds and other wildlife. 

There is so much I'm missing here but have saved in my heart, in my mind and in the memories I take with me. 

Thank you John and John for all that you have given me these last three weeks. You guys have huge hearts and a beautiful home. 

Until we meet again!