Author Archives: RyanMcGurl

“Autumn Dreams” Treasury

Autumn Dreams

Ocracoke Island

Recently, we spent a few weeks on Ocracoke Island, sharing a house with several friends and family members. Although it was beautiful, truthfully, I was somewhat bored and ready to come home by the end of 2 weeks. I was also disappointed in myself, I had brought some work with me and didn’t do as much as I would have liked, as well as not making time for some day trips that I had planned. It was very relaxing, and it was great to see everyone, some family we haven’t seen in a few years, and some friends I hadn’t seen since we moved from Virginia Beach three years ago. We did get to go to Portsmouth Village for a day and I did finally try stand up paddle boarding, I just wish I hadn’t been so lazy the rest of the time.

First Row: Beautiful view of Pamlico Sound from the house we rented, which is why I didn’t get much done, I was looking at this peaceful view all day, Forth of July fireworks, A thunderstorm moving across Pamlico Sound

Second Row: Pathway through the hammock, a very crowded day at the beach, Panzer and Sasha waiting for Jon at the ferry landing

Wordless Wednesday: The Edge of the Sea

Virginia Beach, VA, Sometime in the spring of 2013?

“By the Sea” and “Stagnant Water” Treasuries

By the Sea

Natural Shell Necklace. Gold Shell Necklace. Shell Pendant Necklace. Nautical Jewellery. Sea Necklace. Seashell Necklace. JujuTreasures $18.00	Sea Shell Photography – seashell photo beach wall art white pastel peach neutral cream shore – 11×14, 8×10 Photograph, “Seashell Voices” CarolynCochrane $35.00	Beach Wedding Starfish and Pearl Wired Hair Vine, Nautical Wedding Headpiece, Destination Wedding Headband Beaded Tiara with Star fish BeSomethingNew $100.00	infinity scarf, summer infinity scarf, beach scarf, ocean scarf, sea urchin, coral Flytrap $39.00
Seashell Watercolor Painting Note Card Set of 4 – Seashell Greeting Card Set – Ocean Beach Cards SusanWindsor $12.00	Beach Wedding No.17 – Seashell, Vintage Pearl and Gold Assemblage Bridal Headpiece for a Beach / Coastal Wedding OriginalsByLynnette $25.00	Beach Decor, Sea Gull Print, Ocean Print, Watercolour Print, Bird Photography, Pastel Wall Art, Seagull Photo, Flock of Birds, Ocean Art PeggyCollinsPhotoArt $22.00	Eco-friendly Shell Candles – Scented Handmade Candles – Reusable Seashells – Cottage Decor – Beach Wedding Favors – Beach Party Decor LessCandles $10.00
Seashell Photograph (No. 3) Beach Photography, Shell Photo, Seashell Photography, Ocean Decor, Coastal Wall Decor, Nautical Home Decor aprilbernphoto $15.00	bird photography sandpipers nautical decor light blue art coastal wall art sandpiper pictures beach decor fine art photography coastal decor TheGinghamOwl $21.00	Silver Beach and Nautical Seashell Place Card Holder (Set of 18) WeddingRusticFavors $33.60	Beach Seashell Soaps – party favor – soap favors – shower favor – Beach Wedding – summer ocean Shell sand dollar and starfish soaps AubreyEApothecary $7.25
10 Vintage Seashell Stamps // 22 Cent Nautical Sea Shell Postage Stamps // Ocean Beach Postage Stamps EdelweissPost $5.99	Seashells – Brown and White Pecten Shells – 1″ – 1.75″ SeashellCollection $5.60	Beach Photography, Seaside Photo, Coastal Wall Art, Sea Grass Photograph, Beach Path Picture, Neutral Decor PureNaturePhotos $30.00	Seashells Poster, Seashells Art Print, George Sowerby Seashell Drawing, Beach House Decor, Wall Art, Wall Hanging, Coastal Living AdamsAleArtPrints $8.00

Stagnant Water

Just quiet water between waterfalls.

Woodland Spring Marsh photograph with river of spring greens amid brown leaves misty morning fog marsh marigold harbinger of spring GardenCapture $20.00	Nature Landscape photography – Grand Teton Moran, US national Park, Fine art home and office wall decor photograph KingWuPhotography $10.00	Woodland Shore with water reflections by Kettle Pond State Park in Vermont No.083 Color Wall Decor Fine Art Horizontal Landscape Photography RandyNyhofPhotos $14.00	Loons, 8 x 10 Fine Art Print Waterfowl Birds Black and White Lake Pond Summer Night blue Green Forest Evergreens Woodland scarlettdesign $30.00
4. “Patiently Waiting” A peaceful day on the pond, just waiting for someone to come and enjoy LFergusonPhotography $5.00	Late Autumn Sunset and Reflection on Pond, Landscape Photograph, Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania, Bare Trees, Fine Art Photography, Zen Decor JoshFriedmanPhoto $10.00	Fall foliage, VT scenic, Autumn colors, Kettle Pond, Groton State Forest, Fall panoramic, for nature lovers, Title: “Kettle Pond Overlook” NaturesEyeStudio $18.00	Turtles with a Twinkle, Photographic Print, Pond with Turtles, Wall Decor daydreamdesigns22 $4.00
photography Mystical Forest Pond Tinted Vintage photo Print maclancy $24.00	40% OFF SALE Forest Photo, Landscape Photograph, Nature Picture, Trees, Pond, Water, Blue, Green, Yellow, 5×5 inch Print-The Enchantment of ara133photography $9.00	Jordan Pond Fine Art Print, Acadia National Park, Maine, Wall Art, Mountain Landscape Photography LeBijouxJardin $9.95	Gapstow Bridge, Central Park, New York City, Landscape Photograph, Reflection, Fall Foliage, Autumn, Fine Art Photography, Home Decor, HDR JoshFriedmanPhoto $10.00
Cinnamon Teal, Waterfowl, Duck, Wetland Photograph, Teal Photograph, Duck Fine Art Photography, Cinnamon Teal Art, Photo Décor Duck Image EndlessNatureImages $15.00	nature photography, wetlands photographs, pitcher plant, 3 sizes available NatureGoods $10.00	Common Gallinule Photograph // Florida Nature Bird Photo Print // Florida Wetland Photo. PloversParadise $12.00	Wild Brumbies RawPhotographyAu $45.00

Portsmouth Island Village

A few hours from us, on one of the island of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, is an abandoned fishing village we’ve been wanting to visit, and we finally made it.

At one point during the colonial period this was one of the busiest ports in North Carolina, mainly unloading cargo from ocean going ships, and onto smaller ships that could navigate the sounds, but for various reasons slowly became deserted, with the last residents leaving in 1979. It was really amazing how well preserved it still was.

It really was an amazing place to walk around, there were maybe 20 visitors total. We’ll definitely come back here in the fall, when there are fewer bugs (they weren’t too bad, but bug spray was definitely necessary) and cooler weather for walking.

For more information, check out Friends of Portsmouth Island.

Wordless Wednesday: “Monet” Sunrise

Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Norfolk VA, 2012

Blue Ridge Parkway

A few weekends ago we were able to take some time and spend a few days on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is one of my absolute favorite places. So beautiful, I love the mountains, the waterfalls, the colorful foliage in the fall, and the wildflowers in the spring. I also love how easy it is to use, with scenic overlooks every few miles, campgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking trails.

View from one of the scenic overlooks.

The reward for hiking the Cascades Trail, actually a pretty easy hike.

Rhododendrons in bloom at Craggy Gardens. I was hoping to see these in bloom, and I did!

Duggars Creek Trail.

“Cozy” Etsy Treasury “Cozy” Etsy Treasury

I just love this “Cozy” Etsy Treasury by Maria MashLe. Its definitely summer here in North Carolina, but this treasury has me yearning for fall, when it won’t be quite so humid.