The Island Times | Bald Head Island Blog

Beach Music Extravaganza Kicks Off This Friday

Christi Golder — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:17:20 +0000

Take 15% Off Labor Day Weekend on Bald Head Island.

It’s not too late to book your Labor Day weekend on Bald Head Island, with three days of live music, great food and family activities lined up. The Annual Beach Music Extravaganza takes place Friday, September 3 through Sunday, September 5 and includes entertainment by The Castaways, The Rhythm Brothers and The Band of Oz.

You can take part in events a la carte, or save money when you book our Beach Music Extravaganza package. As an added incentive, enjoy 15% off accommodations for the weekend when you book through Bald Head Island Limited. Simply call 1-800-432-RENT.

Weather reports for the weekend look great, with sunny skies predicted for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check out the latest forecast from weather.com here.

The Woods Gallery Hosts Benefit for Wayne McDowell

Christi Golder — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:07:13 +0000

Wayne McDowell at The Woods Gallery

This Saturday, September 4, stop by The Woods Gallery at 12A Maritime Way from 4-6 p.m. for a benefit show of Bald Head Island landscape paintings by artist Wayne McDowell.

Long known for painting dramatic vistas of Bald Head Island, Wayne recently suffered a serious stroke. The show is a great opportunity to support Wayne’s creative vision in his time of need as he recovers.

Light refreshments will be served during the show. Also on display will be striking new Bald Head pastels by Richard Fennell. Download the flyer or call The Woods Gallery at 910-454-4892 for more information.

Fall Fishing Season May Be Heating Up Early

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:50:41 +0000

Red drum caught on a fly near Bald Head Island.

Story and photo by Capt. Mike Dennis.

Bald Head Island was the place to be yesterday. I left at day break with a friend of mine just to relax and have a peaceful day in the backwaters, enjoying some inshore fishing for red drum.

The weather was just plain ideal and the tide was extremely high yesterday morning. Fishing was slow in the morning, with us only catching one red drum and a flounder.

The action picked up around 3 p.m., catching several nice red drum around a cluster of oyster bars, along with some bluefish.

To end the day, we stopped off at the Provision Company restaurant in Southport for a couple of margaritas on the open air deck, then headed back up the river for a sunset cruise on the Cape Fear River to Carolina Beach, N.C.

To book your own Bald Head Island fishing charter, call 910-619-0928 or visit the Cape Fear Guide website.

Exploring Bluff Island, Cape Creek and Kim’s Island with Riverside Adventure Company

Jason Frye — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:48:11 +0000

I got back to my hiking roots and explored the varied environments of Bald Head Island on a hike with Riverside Adventure Company.

This is an installment of our 2010 Adventure Series, featuring a first-person account of a variety of expeditions and adventures on Bald Head Island.

Finally, after living in North Carolina for close to a decade, I’ve found an adventure that combines the things I love best about my new home with the mountains of West Virginia where I grew up: the beach, kayaks and hiking. I know what you’re thinking: Does he need to come in out of the sun? There’s no place to hike around here, much less on Bald Head Island. Well, you’re wrong. In the Bald Head Woods Maritime Forest Preserve there are hiking trails under the beautiful live oak canopy, and on Federal Road across from the Maritime Market, the M. Kent Mitchell Nature Trail gives you the chance to explore the hummocks in the marsh. But I’m talking about a good, long day hike here. I went with some of the folks from Riverside Adventure Company on their Kim’s Island Nature Tour to Bluff Island and Cape Creek and, while it wasn’t the hardwood forests of my childhood, it was one of my best adventures yet.

Our hike (see the route here) started at the last public beach access on East Beach (at the intersection of South East Beach Drive and Station House Way) with the heat of the morning already pressing down on us. The scene on the beach was very much Bald Head Island with houses overlooking the ocean, families under umbrellas, kites in the sky and the Shoals Club in the distance, but in a few minutes the world changed. As we hiked north, the homes shrank back from the shore and then disappeared. To our south, the Shoals Club, which had been growing smaller as we hiked, was lost in the heat haze and salt spray. Ahead of us the beach stretched into mirage. We were the only four people on the earth.

The only other beings on the beach were the birds, who were content to watch us walk past.

Just as the heat was starting to make me loopy, Dan pointed out the crowns of two Sabal Palms peeking over the top of the dune ridge. These twin palms marked our entrance into the woods on Bluff Island. Since we were all pretty hot, we decided on a water break and, more importantly, a swim.

Refreshed from the dip, we found our way into the dunes (careful not to disturb them) and onto the path to Bluff Island. Our isolated walk up the beach had lulled me into thinking we were in the wilderness, so I was surprised to see homes in the distance, but we picked our way through the head-high sea oats, found the path and made our way into the woods.

Route finding among the sea oats.

Bluff Island, part of the Smith Island complex that also includes Bald Head Island and Middle Island, is a fledgling maritime forest. Live oaks, bay trees, cedar and other plants I recognized from the Maritime Forest Preserve made up the bulk of the foliage and their network of interlacing branches made a tight canopy for us to walk under. Two ponds, usually filled with storm water, sat mostly dry, but dozens of birds worked the edge of what little water remained in the basin. The dried mud had preserved deer, fox and raccoon prints along with the complicated alphabet of bird tracks. It was easy to see that, when full, these ponds were crowded with wildlife. Off the side of the trail we found some bones. A debate ensued as to what kind of animal they came from – alligator, raccoon, deer – and we never did settle on an answer, but the bones were cool looking all the same.

The Mystery Bones on Bluff Island. I think that's the title of a Hardy Boy's Adventure.

Winding our way through the woods, careful not to walk into any spider webs (which is harder than it sounds), we came out a point overlooking Cape Creek and the Marsh. Harper and Plunkett Peterson, owners of Riverside Adventure Company, were coming in by powerboat to bring us kayaks and lunch, so we sat under a tree, debated the bones and waited.

The confines of the woods opened to the expanse of the marsh. Soon we'd kayak Cape Creek to Kim's Island.

When Harper and Plunkett showed up, we loaded our kayaks and set off in Cape Creek for the paddle to Kim’s Island. I was nervous in the kayak at first, wobblier than I remembered being, but I quickly settled into my seat, found my rhythm and followed the current out of the creek.

I wish this was my commute to work every morning.

The marsh was quiet, with only the subtle splash of our paddles breaking the silence. We paddled the two miles to Kim’s Island and arrived in time to help Harper and Plunkett tie up their boat and show us around the island.

Pelicans hang out on the old pier structure on Kim's Island.

Kim’s Island, so named after the matriarch of the family who built a little fish camp there, isn’t very big, but it’s got a lot to explore. There’s a cabin in need of repair (think giant hole in the roof and a hornet’s nest the size of a basketball in one corner), a swing set for the youngest children when Kim and her family would visit, an outhouse and a tower at least 50 feet tall. The tower, which is officially off limits for safety reasons, needs some repair to fix broken steps and generally shore it up. In its day, the platform at the top must have been quite a place to sleep or watch meteor showers.

Kim's Island gives you a different perspective on Bald Head Island. In the distance, Old Baldy stands tall above the trees.

Kim's Island was the perfect spot for lunch.

We unpacked our lunches and ate at one of the picnic tables left there, talking about what could be done to make the island a little more hospitable. The consensus was that the dock, the end of which was severely damaged in a storm years ago, needed major repairs, while the cabin, outhouse and grounds would be easier chores.

After lunch we rested and listened to the marsh. It popped and gurgled as crabs emerged from their holes and the water receded. Birds called to one another, an osprey whistled somewhere out of sight. Eventually we turned our attention to the clouds and studied an ominous formation over Oak Island.

We didn't want to be on the creek in kayaks if this storm over Oak Island made its way to Bald Head Island.

From the dock, we watched as rain fell in from the nasty looking clouds over Oak Island and weighed our options – kayak out or take the boat back. As if I needed a push by the storm, I opted for the boat. We packed up, piled gear aboard and took off for the harbour, Harper at the helm.

On the ride back, Harper pointed out birds in the reeds and hummocks to explore. A downed tree in the creek was a lichen-covered sculpture. I was sleepy from the heat and hike and lunch but the prospect of coming back and exploring more of the islands and hummocks in the creek kept me awake. Besides, I could catch a 20-minute nap on the ferry ride home.

The requisite self-portrait.

Leatherback Nest Excavation Uncovers a Surprise

Christi Golder — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:04:49 +0000

A Bald Head Island Conservancy staffer holds a leatherback turtle hatchling and unhatched egg.

Earlier this week, under the cover of darkness, and without human witness, Bald Head Island’s first recorded leatherback turtle nest hatched. Leatherback nestings are an extremely rare occurrence in North Carolina, with only a handful ever documented. In fact, the species is considered “critically endangered,” the highest risk category assigned for wild species.

This past Saturday night, volunteers from the Bald Head Island Conservancy, led by Environmental Educator Maureen Dewire, excavated the nest to see if any turtles remained. To their delight, and to the delight of a crowd of around 250 people gathered on East Beach, one live baby leatherback was found.

After a few photos were taken, the history-making turtle made its way toward the sea. Its small body now just a few inches across, the leatherback will reach an average of 3.5-6.5 feet long when fully grown.

Learn more about the Bald Head Island Conservancy’s important work to protect turtles at http://www.bhi.org/.

Picnics, Parties and Beach Music this Labor Day

Teri Kelly — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:53:47 +0000

Beach Music Extravaganza this Labor Day on Bald Head Island

As the end of summer nears, Bald Head Islanders get ready for a Labor Day weekend full of good times.

The Annual Beach Music Extravaganza on Bald Head Island takes place Friday, September 3 through Sunday, September 5 and includes entertainment by The Castaways, The Rhythm Brothers and The Band of Oz. If you are thinking about coming to the island for a visit, either for the day or the weekend, there will be plenty to keep you busy.

Friday, September 3 kicks off Bald Head Island Conservancy environmental programs, Beachcombing Biology at 9 a.m. and Kayaking at 3 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., head over to East Beach to participate in Coastal Urge’s Kite Night. At 6 p.m., Beach Music Extravaganza begins with the Coastal Carolina Bash at the Harbourside Pavilion and features music by The Castaways.

Saturday brings a day full of fun events. The Bald Head Island Conservancy offers crafts, crabbing and kayaking throughout the day. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Bald Head Association Center, the Bald Head Island Artisans Show & Sale showcases unique handcrafted items created by island artisans. At noon, head to the Harbourside Pavilion for the Beach Music Extravaganza Picnic for a southern-style picnic and music by The Rhythm Brothers.

If you’re an adventure seeker, give Standup Paddle Boarding a try from 2-3 p.m. with free demos by Coastal Urge at the Harbourside Pavilion dock. The Maritime Market offers unique wines during a Wines of the World tasting from 3-5 p.m. and The Woods Gallery holds a benefit for artist Wayne McDowell from 4-6 p.m. The day ends with the Eighth Annual Shoals Club Member Party from 7-11 p.m. with great food and music.

Sunday, September 5 offers up more adventurous activities by the Bald Head Island Conservancy with Kayaking at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Crabbing and Cast Netting at 2 p.m. At 10 a.m. come to East Beach for the Shoals Club Labor Day Fun Run, then that evening, come to the Harbourside Pavilion for food, fun and shagging with the Beach Music Extravaganza Texas Bar-B-Q from 6-10 p.m. This annual end-of-summer cookout offers beach music by The Band of Oz.

In addition to all the fun-filled activities islandwide, Island Retreat Spa and Salon offers a Pamper-Me-Pick-Me-Up Special of a Classic Manicure, Pedicure and Shampoo and Style. Also, stop by Coastal Urge’s locations on island for a chance to win a Vineyard Vines giveaway valued at $1,000.

Visitors who want to enjoy the Beach Music Extravaganza Package will receive discounted accommodations and discounted tickets to all events. Tickets are also available to individual events and can be purchased a la carte by calling (910) 457-7440. Check out all the details and menus at the Beach Music Extravaganza Web Site, or go to the calendar page here.

Barrier Island Study Center Set to Break Ground

Lauren Frye — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:27:27 +0000

An artists' rendering of the planned Barrier Island Study Center, which will break ground in October.

The Bald Head Island Conservancy has announced that the long-planned Barrier Island Study Center will break ground this October. The Barrier Island Study Center is a proposed 5,000 square foot certified green research and education facility which will facilitate an understanding of barrier islands and serve as a resource for the community of Bald Head Island as well as other coastal communities. It will be the first community-based research center of its kind in the nation.

The $2.4 million dollar project is being built solely through community support with no state of federal funding. Fundraising efforts in the last ten months alone have generated $900,000. “This is a grand show of support from the Bald Head Island community and we are very thankful,” said Suzanne Dorsey, Executive Director of the BHI Conservancy.

The Barrier Island Study Center will host research specific to Bald Head Island and relevant to all barrier islands, allowing for a better understanding of the workings of their dynamic systems. It will provide scientists, students and researchers with the labs, library and facilities needed to conduct high level research within uniquely intact barrier island ecosystems. It will also bridge the gap between science and the community through collaborations with fellow academicians, outreach programs, and educational activities. The information gained through Center research will be accessible to the BHI community and others who will use the information to generate solutions for sustainable coastlines.

Click here for more information about the Barrier Island Study Center, or here to read the front page news story from the State Port Pilot. Stay tuned for more details on the groundbreaking event.

Island Agency Sales Are Double the Previous Year

Christi Golder — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:57:39 +0000

308 South Bald Head Wynd

Real estate sales by The Island Agency are gaining momentum, as buyers continue to find Bald Head Island properties to be a great value. In fact, sales volume and contracts written in 2010 by The Island Agency are more than double last year at the same time.

This Labor Day weekend on Bald Head Island, The Island Agency is hosting two days of open houses that offer an informal way to become more familiar with island homes for sale.

Saturday, September 4 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., stop by 308 South Bald Head Wynd, 1A Keelson Row, 440 South Bald Head Wynd, 12 Three Flipper Trail and The Hammocks model #54. On Sunday from 1 p.m.-4 p.m., you can visit 1A Keelson Row and The Hammocks model #54, along with 55 Transom Row, 88 Turk’s Head Court and 509 Currituck Way.

If you’d like to take part in a more comprehensive real estate tour that’s tailored to your specific interests, The Island Agency offers an Island Passport Package that includes a tour of island properties with an Island Agency sales executive, two nights’ accommodations, ferry passage, island transportation and parking starting at just $349 beginning 9/4/2010 (subject to availability).

For more information on upcoming open houses or to schedule a real estate tour, contact an Island Agency sales executive at salesinternet@bhisland.com. View an online database of homes and homesites for sale at http://www.baldheadisland.com/live/property_search.aspx.

Bald Head Island Introduces Life Enhancement Workshops

Lauren Frye — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:46:46 +0000

Serene Bald Head Island is an ideal location for Life Enhancement workshops.

Bald Head Island Limited annouces a new learning and enrichment opportunity with the Life Enhancement Workshop Series. The workshop series encompasses a wide range of learning opportunities intended to help you live life to your peak potential. The workshops — which run the gamut from yoga and meditation to writing and painting to improving self image — will expose you to new learning opportunities while deepening your personal life experiences.

Upcoming workshops include drawing and painting from nature, aromatherapy and a weekend-long yoga retreat. Click here for more information including a calendar of events and posters

The natural beauty and serenity of Bald Head Island is an ideal setting for the Life Enhancement Workshop Series. Accommodation discounts are available for workshop participants. For more information, call 1-800-432-RENT to speak with a Rental Relations Coordinator.

Save Some Cold Cash with this Hot Deal

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:29:54 +0000

Thunder Road on Bald Head Island

Temperatures may still be rising outside, but Bald Head Island rental rates are dropping big time. Starting August 20, enjoy 15% off our summer rates during our Value Summer season.

Rental homes are located in every island environment, from the beach to the marsh to the forest. Whether you’re looking for a romantic couple’s retreat or a spacious home that can accommodate lots of family and friends, Bald Head Island Limited has a great selection of properties still available.

To view virtual tours of homes, compare rates and book online, visit http://vacations.baldheadisland.com/rentals.aspx.