Unsuspecting volunteers honored at Pamlico chamber banquet

See article from the New Bern Sun Journal at: http://www.newbernsj.com/articles/honored-102851-pamlico-unsuspecting.html

 

Life to the Fullest

Re-blogged by permission of Lindsay Scheuer

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Oriental, NC

A couple of weekends ago, Nick planed a surprise weekend getaway to celebrate my birthday! The last few months have been so crazy and a night away was just the thing we needed.  Nick was able to keep it a surprise until the day before we left.  He booked a room at a the Cartwright House Bed and Breakfast in Oriental, NC. We had driven through Oriental a few years ago and loved it.  It is a sleepy little harbor town on the coast of North Carolina with about 800 residents.  You can walk or bike everywhere and it is perfectly charming.  

 

 

Our B&B was over a hundred years old.  When we got there on Friday night, the owners had drinks ready for happy hour on the porch.  We were able to walk a few short blocks to dinner. Life is was so much slower there!

 

From our room (on the top floor) you could see the Neuse River and all over town.  The owners recommended that we watch the sunrise over the water in the morning.  I am so glad we got up for it. We set our alarms and when they went off, Nick looked out the window and saw the faintest little bit of light.  He yelled out “IT’S HAPPENING!” and jumped out of bed!  Haha –  turns out a sunrise happens pretty slowly, so we didn’t miss anything!  We grabbed some coffee and walked town to the park on the water.  The sunrise was amazingly beautiful.   It was an awesome way to start the day.

 

 

After a delicious breakfast, we took our bikes out to explore around town.  We rode along the harbor, stopped at an art shop and had a mimosa, and dropped in a few antique shops.  It is so much fun to explore a new place.

 

Although it was just one night away, it felt like we had gone on a long vacation – such a fun weekend!

Posted by Nick and Lindsay

 

Read More from ‘Life to the Fullest’ at: http://thescheuers.blogspot.com/ 

 

A few minutes here and there.

 

It seems my days are spent in classrooms, behind the wheel, or in front of the computer facing a mountain of paperwork.  On those computer days, I find that I need to take a break every couple hours to get my eyes away from the screen and compose my thoughts.

During those break times, I enjoy sitting on the back porch watching the critters in my little wildlife habitat.  For those who read my post last year about Bluebirds, I did make it back to that little barber shop and purchased two more bluebird houses.  Both of the new ones were placed in the front yard where my wife could view any activity.  Although these are in close proximity to one another, I figured it would give the birds a choice of where they would like to build their nest.

The bluebirds came back this year and built their nest in the back yard once again.  They are very territorial when raising their family, and daddy bluebird refused to allow any other birds to perch within 20 to 25 feet from the nest.  When the young leave the nest, usually all are gone within two hours.  This year I was fortunate to see one of them as it took its first flight.  The little one very nearly hit the ground before it gathered enough strength to fly upward to a nearby branch.  Two of the young ones have been visiting occasionally to rest and grab a bite to eat before flying off once again.

Other critters include one squirrel, one young rabbit, a pair of doves and a turtle.  The squirrel and rabbit frequently travel around the yard together, eating grass and the sunflower seeds that I throw out for the doves and cardinals.  The doves are peaceful birds and get along with all of the others.  Since hurricane Irene came through a couple of weeks ago, another pair of doves has taken up residence in the yard.  The new pair are very light in color, almost white in comparison to the others.

Probably the oldest resident of the habitat is the turtle.  We’ve been watching it grow over the years, but don’t see it very often.  I suppose it spends much of its time under the bushes or in one of the flower gardens.

 

Beyond the Blue Horizon

Beyond the blue horizon, Waits a beautiful day.
Goodbye to things that bore me, Joy is waiting for me.
I see a new horizon, My life has only begun.
Beyond the blue horizon, Lies a rising sun.

I cannot sing this song as well as Lou Christie, but if you dream of blue horizons they can certainly be seen from the many waterfront properties available in this area.  Find your joy along the banks of the Neuse, Bay or Trent Rivers or one of their many protected creeks.  Enjoy our gorgeous sunsets as you plan your journey beyond the blue horizon from your private dock or one of the many marinas nearby.

Values for most homes and lots are much lower than they were during the “housing bubble” and mortgage rates are unbelievably low.  Now would be an awesome time to lock into the current rates, as each 1% increase adds 10% to your monthly payment.

Contact me at 252-675-3038 or Joe@JoeBrant.com for more information, or visit my website at www.JoeBrant.com.

 

A Paddling Perspective: Announcing a Kayaking Eco-Tour of River Dunes

Paddle On! Coastal North Carolina is one of the finest flat-water kayaking destinations on the East Coast. Explore the salt marshes and sheltered waters while learning about the wildlife and waterfowl that inhabit the creeks around River Dunes. Paddle the quiet waters with a qualified naturalist and kayaking instructor. This 1/2 day paddle on April 30th is for novice and advanced participants in touring kayaks. On the Eco-Tour, you’ll learn about: The Neuse River watershed Herons, egrets, osprey, rails, and killdeer Trout, drum, shrimp and crabs Native saltwater plants Arrive on Friday, April 29th and join everyone for dinner at the Harbor Club. Saturday morning, you’ll meet your kayaking guide for a safety and instructional session and then we’ll head out together for the creeks. After the morning kayak tour, enjoy lunch at the Club and an afternoon riding bikes or relaxing by the pool. A Paddling Perspective Weekend Schedule Friday, April 29th: Check-in Friday Dinner: 6:00-9:00. Enjoy Chef Robert’s new Spring Menu at the Club. Reservations required. 9am Saturday, April 30th: Meet the Kayak Guide at the Harbor Club Boat Ramp. Brief safety and instructional session followed by a three-hour cruise… 12:30: Lunch at the Club Afternoon: Open. Enjoy the bicycles, golf carts, canoes or head out on your boat for an afternoon cruise. 5:30 pm: Craft and Micro-Brew Beer Tasting. Sample our new Spring line-up of local brews. Supper: a selection of the Chef’s favorite dishes. Low-Country Salmon: Fillet of Atlantic Salmon dusted with Blackening Spice and Pan Seared served with Charleston Grits and a Spicy Corn Cream Sauce $21 Angus Filet Mignon: 8oz center-cut Angus Filet grilled to perfection Served with Cabernet Reduction $27 Chicken Marsala: Twin Breasts of Chicken lightly pounded and sautéed with rich Marsala Wine, Mushrooms and shallots $18 Sicilian Plum Tomato Penne: Portabella Mushrooms and Fresh Herbs slow cooked in a Rich Plum Tomato Sauce and tossed with Penne Pasta Finished with Shaved Pecorino-Romano Cheese $14 $75/person. Includes kayaking, all equipment and lunch. Does not include Friday Dinner or Saturday Supper. Please plan to bring sun protection, comfortable weather-appropriate clothing, and shoes that can get wet. You will be on the water for three hours. Bottled water will be provided. Guests Welcome! Non-Members need Cottage or Saturday Dinner Reservations to participate in the Eco-Tour at this special rate.. Reserve a Space!(800) 975-9565 • (252) 249-4908 www.RiverDunes.com/cottages