MEMORIES SO CHERISHED

ATLANTIC BEACH BRIDGE

If you are lucky aging is inevitable! One great thing about growing older is developing memories of our own that nobody can take away from us. The photo to the right is the old bridge that connected us from the main land in Morehead City, NC to the Island we so cherish today, Bogue Island. The lure of the ocean has been a fascination among people for centuries. I pray it will remain the same for centuries to come.

Riding across this bridge as a child created excitement for the pleasures waiting once we touched on the other side. The Atlantic ocean with its white, frothy waves rushing on to the beach meant jumping the waves and the challenge of catching the tiny little bait fish that evaded my waiting hands. I remember building my incredible sand castles with my shovel and bucket only to see it disappear without warning as the ocean reclaimed it treasure of sand. Finding a shell, especially in one piece, a shark's tooth or skate's abandoned egg sack (a mermaid's purse as it is commonly called locally) was a rewarding prize to take back home and share with friends and family. Little did I know then it was a fascination that would last an entire lifetime.

The first sounds and visions of the rides as we came over the bridge and got our first peek at 'The Circle' in Atlantic Beach was enough to make a kid go nuts with the sheer joy! Just thinking about the rides that lay ahead once we could finally talk our parents into just throwing the suitcases in the house and take us to enjoy them was over whelming.

And don't even mention the fishing piers! It mattered not what you caught. Pulling whatever it was up on your fishing line for what seemed to be 'miles' was awesome!

Now my children and grandchildren are creating their memories of 'The Beach' but theirs will be full of the view from the newer high rise bridge with the view of the Atlantic Ocean at the very top of the bridge enticing them even more to get to the Ocean. My memories live on and are still developing and will continue I hope for many years to come. Bogue Island consists of Atlantic Beach on the far East end, Pine Knoll Shores, Indian Beach, Salter Path and ending up with Emerald Isle on the West end. Once you see it and enjoy the many pleasures of nature and camaraderie from locals and returning visitors the Island offers it is difficult not to return.

REAL ESTATE REPORT:

Per the Carteret County Association of REALTORS MLS:

57 Residential Properties have 'SOLD*' since January 1, 2010 through January 24, 2010 at the time of the writing of this blog.

871 Residential Properties are currently on the market offered FOR SALE (number changes daily)

Prices range from a low of $57,000 to a high of $1,000.000 *SOLD = ACTUAL SALES PRICE

As of Janury 22, 2010 some Mortgage lenders are still quoting FIXED rates as low as 4.75%/ 30 years/0 points with good credit. Take advantage of these and other great programs while they last!

THE 8th ANNUAL CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL IN MOREHEAD CITY, NC

COMING SOON! February 5-9, 2010 at the Crystal Coast Civic Center!

The time is growing closer to welcome and enjoy the delightful indulgence of CHOCOLATE! CREAMY, SWEET, WHITE, DARK, SEMI-SWEET, DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE! Taste, devour and experience all kinds of decadent chocolates from around the world ALL in one area -Carteret County, NC! Treat yourself to a 'Chocolate Facial', 'Chocolate Mini-Massage' or 'Hand Massage' while being pampered to the hilt and served sparkling champagne and gourmet chocolates! Make your reservations now and enjoy a fabulous time at the beach before it is too late.

VIEW DETAILS GO TO: http://www.carolinachocolatefestival.com/

REMINDERS!

Feb 5th seems to be a popular date this year. The Fund Raising Event for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Crystal Coast, 'An Evening Wrapped in Chocolate' the night before the Annual Chocolate Festival starts the weekend of the CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL in Morehead City, Carteret County, NC 28557.

February 5th this year is also NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY FOR WOMEN! Go to the American Heart Association's link at http://www.goredforwomen.org/ for more details!

AND, February 5th is 'MY' birthday! It becomes more special to me each year as I grow older.

RECIPE:

The Secret is Out!

CRACKER BARREL’S HASHBROWN CASSEROLE 2 LBS FROZEN HASHBROWNS ½ CUP MELTED BUTTER 1 CAN CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP 1 PT. SOUR CREAM 1/2 CUP CHOPPED ONION 2 CUPS GRATED CHEDDER CHEESE 1 TSP SALT ¼ TSP PEPPER 2 CUPS CRUSHED CORN FLAKES ¼ CUP MELTED BUTTER DEFROST HASHBROWNS COMBINE NEXT 7 INGREDIENTS AND COMBINE WITH HASHBROWN PUT IN 3 QT CASSEROLE DISH SAUTEE’ CORNFLAKES IN BUTTER AND SPRINKLE ON TOP COVER AND BAKE AT 350 FOR 40 MINUTES