Sandy Wheeler Travel Specialties

As a travel consultant, I often give advice to first time cruisers on how to pack for a cruise.  This column, however, is about a very special packing situation that I have experience dealing with—packing for a summer vacation in the South.  Read on, as I think I can lighten your load as well as make you more comfortable as you travel “below the line”.  (Bless your heart, the Mason Dixon line of course!)  

 I am very qualified for this task having spent the last ten years at the gateway to the Outer Banks—one of the beloved vacation spots for our dear friends from the North and Mid-west.  Prior to that I lived a mere skip and a jump from Myrtle Beach, SC; another Mecca of sand and sea breezes for our friends from “off”.  (A South Carolina low country term for anyplace besides the low country).  So having established myself as a certified southern belle, here goes the list!

•  Ladies leave the foundation and other heavier makeup items at home.  Trust me, it will just melt off.  All summer long I wear only eye makeup, a brush of blush, and lipstick—and all of it in a very light application.  Save the room in your makeup case for the face sunscreen which you WILL need!

•  Leave heavily scented perfumes and scented lotions and crèmes at home.  Our tormenting, flying, critters are legendary in number and size—flies, gnats, no-see-ums, and cricket sized mosquitoes.  If you plan to visit the beach, there are sand flies, horse flies—a legion of torments that will love your signature scent.  An old remedy we swear by is Avon’s Skin So Soft lotion.  We don’t know why it works—it just does.  Leave the perfume at home and bring along a clip-on bug repellant disc instead.
  

• Bring a big brimmed shade hat!  One made from straw or other porous material so you don’t swelter or heaven forbid sweat.   

• Bring cotton and linen clothing and throw in an extra change or two.  Not to be indelicate or anything—but our heat is not “dry”.  It’s drippy, clingy, sweaty, and wet.  Southern women “glisten” or merely “dew”; but it’s a skill that takes a while to learn so you might just need an extra change of clothes or two.

• Don’t even think about bringing pantyhose! We don’t wear them and you shouldn’t either.  For a dressy event a long sundress or long skirt and loose top with open toed sandals is quite the thing.  Glitz it up with sparkly jewelry, a sterling ankle bracelet and pink or white toe polish.  Would I steer you wrong, sugar? 

So come on down and enjoy your vacation here in the South! Our beaches are beautiful, the food is delicious, and our hospitality really is warm and inviting.  And remember summer doesn’t stop here until sometime in October.  Give me a call if there’s any way I can help make your Southern vacation easier.  

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Q:  Dear DivaCruiser:  As a first time cruiser, I have heard a great deal about the muster drill.  What can I expect and what happens if I miss it?

 A: Dear conscientious cruiser:

 Whether you are a first time cruiser or have sailed once a month for the past ten years, the muster drill is a part of your first couple of hours on board.  The muster drill, aka the lifeboat drill or safety drill is a mandatory procedure required by international maritime law, and will happen shortly after pulling away from your original port of departure. 

 Many first time cruisers express anxiety about the muster drill—but it really is a simple and straight forward procedure.  Ship wide announcements will begin and continue periodically up until the time the emergency signal sounds to begin the drill.  The signal is made up of seven short and one long (and very loud) blasts of the ship’s alarm, with flashing lights and crew members in the hallway directing traffic and hurrying you to your muster station.  There’s not much way you can miss all this!

 Depending on the directions issued you could be instructed to meet in an entertainment venue, part of a dining area, or on a specific deck area of the ship.  Stations are clearly marked and if confused there will be staff in the hallways and stairways to assist you in finding your area.

 On some ships you may be asked to find and wear your lifejacket to the drill location.  Your lifejacket information as well as your meeting place will be located on the back of your stateroom door.  Find this information as soon as you find your cabin upon boarding the ship. On one occasion I found my life jacket in the closet of the stateroom, on another it was located under my bed.  On a recent cruise, we were instructed that we would be given our life vests in the event of a real problem.  In this situation, we saw a training video explaining how to put on and use the lifejacket should the situation demand it.

 If required to don your life vest and gather on deck, auditorium or other setting, be sure to tighten the ties so that they do not drag and create a tripping danger for you or others.  The elevators will be shut down and everyone will be taking the steps, so move briskly, but do not rush.  Rushing and pushing can lead to falling—you don’t want to start your vacation off with an accident.

 Listen carefully to instructions and even if you have sailed many times, don’t assume as procedures may have changed.  Also guests around you may have never cruised before and need to see and hear the directions—especially if they are a bit anxious.  Be courteous to your fellow passengers and your crew members who are doing their best to see that you are safe in an emergency.

 Once the drill is over, an all-clear signal will be given.  The drill is relatively short and painless and the process is made more smooth and quick when everyone cooperates.

Again, if you have on your life vest, be careful as the tendency is to unbuckle right away—don’t trip on those ties.  And once again, be patient as everyone tries to move up the steps to return to their cabins or to meet their companions.  Return your life vest to its proper place (if applicable) and you are ready to begin your fabulous vacation!

 Oh, and by the way, should you decide you want to outsmart the staff and skip the drill— don’t. Cabins are checked, bars and eateries are closed, and the staff  prowl for truant guests. Roll will be called either manually or electronically—and your name will be called out as being late.  Your fellow passengers won’t appreciate being kept waiting—not a good way to make new friends on board! I’m not sure what they do with these folks, but with that many potatoes to peel and that many washrooms to clean—well I don’t want to be on KP duty during my vacation, do you?   

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The clematis in my front yard is blooming right on schedule. It always blooms—never fails—the week of Easter.  It’s a beautiful sight as it loops around almost everything in reckless abandon.  An old friend told me where to plant.  Clematis like their “feet cool and their heads warm”—in other words plant it with the roots shaded by other bushes and the top staked up where it got lots of sun. 

 Right across the walkway is a gorgeous pink azalea.  It blooms in spring too, but it blooms more on its own time table.  It factors in how warm it has been, the lack or abundance of rainfall during the winter; many factors not necessarily controlled by the calendar.  Anyone who has ever attended the Azalea Festival in Wilmington, NC or similar celebrations of spring blooms–can tell you—sometimes the star of the show, the azaleas, are just not ready yet.

 So what IS the deal with the clematis?  It has been there for seven years and it has never failed to bloom on Easter.  Whether the spring has been warm, windy, cold, rainy, early, late; at least a few blooms always appear right on schedule.  Much like the legend of the dogwood bloom, I had read that the clematis was part of the flower folklore of Easter, but I didn’t put much stock into it until I saw it for myself. 

I don’t know how it knows when to bloom, other than it’s one of those miracles of nature. It reminds me how significant I am to God.  It is a visual cue of rebirth and resurrection and it never fails to restore and rekindle my faith.  As I look forward to the most important act of love, sacrifice, and victory in my life as a Christian this Easter weekend, I wish you and your family love, peace, and many blessings.

Love, Sandy

Tags: clematis, Easter, gardening

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Somewhere around three years ago, I noticed something new about myself.  I realized I really enjoyed my own company and more than that, I enjoyed traveling solo.  Rather than lonely, I found the idea of traveling alone exciting and liberating.  Being able to think my own thoughts without apology and satisfy my own needs without considering anyone else gives an added sense of contentment and satisfaction.

This past autumn I was privileged to visit three gorgeous North Carolina beaches on a trip I called a “Stroll Down Highway 17”.  Highway 17, also called the Coastal Highway, begins in Virginia and doesn’t end until Florida.  As the name implies, it hugs the coast line taking lucky travelers through small towns and along scenic routes.  I named this journey a stroll, reminding me that although it is possible to make good time on most of Highway 17, I could move at a more relaxed pace.  My plan was to begin in Elizabeth City and travel to Ocean Isle Beach in the southern part of North Carolina.  My intent was to stop when I saw something interesting; explore wherever I wanted and take my time—thoroughly enjoying the journey as well as the beautiful destination.

 My trip began on a day that was unseasonably warm.  In fact, I took clothes to suit for two seasons as it was scheduled to turn cool during the week.  The trip would take about five hours without any stops, but I stopped half way in New Bern, arriving about 4 pm and immediately walked the three blocks to the downtown shopping area.  New Bern is one of those small towns with an adorable downtown—independently owned gift shops with everything from hunting supplies to fine crystal graced Middle Street.  I had reserved a room at the Riverfront Hilton and was very pleased with my accommodations—the warm weather gave me a great opportunity to sit outside by their waterfront deck, including having a simple sandwich supper brought to me right there.  An advantage of traveling solo—eating what and when I want paid off in calories saved and lower cost.  Had I been with a group I probably would have felt obliged to make a bigger deal of dinner.  My room faced out on the riverfront and the view was outstanding.  The combination of the fresh air, a gorgeous view, and comfortable room made for a very pleasant evening and a great night’s rest.

 The next morning I was feeling really super as I started on the second leg of my trip—on to Ocean Isle Beach!  I am a life long resident of North Carolina and have been coming to Ocean Isle and Holden beaches since a child.  To make things even more special, two of my oldest friends live in Ocean Isle Beach.  Since I hadn’t seen them in two years, I was over the moon about catching up.

 One of my first excursions while in the area was to see the old one-lane bridge across Sunset Beach for the last time.  The structure is one of the few remaining wooden one-lane bridges and the concrete monster that was to replace it is almost ready.  I made some interesting pictures of the old bridge with the new bridge looming over the top.  In the quiet of the approaching evening I was able to recall my childhood and my children’s childhoods waiting in line to go over the bridge and the joys of summer days at the beach. 

 My next stop was the town of Calabash, NC; reported to be the “Seafood Capitol of the South”.  If you have never sampled Calabash seafood,  put it on your bucket list.  Their style of presenting these locally caught delicacies is another favorite memory from childhood, visiting with the family on Sunday afternoon after church.  Several properties like Ella’s and Dockside have been around for decades.  I decided to try a relatively new restaurant on the strip called The Boundary.

 The two story building with a large bar area was unusual among Calabash’s one story family style restaurants.  A typical seafood platter contains 2 or 3 of your choice of items: shrimp, fish, oysters, scallops, and crab cakes—fried unless otherwise requested-and offered up with french fries, slaw, and hush puppies.  While this sample plate was available at the Boundary, I chose a baked sweet potato to accompany my shrimp and crab cakes. 

For a woman coming into the Calabash area, “Callahan’s Gift Shop” and “St. Nick’s Nack Shop is a very pleasant must see.  Under one roof you will find home décor, collectibles, a great collection of jewelry, and a huge grouping of Christmas ornaments with decorated trees of all sorts.  I generally come away with a new idea for a color scheme for this year’s tree or even a new way of looking at existing ornaments and decorations. An extensive collection of Studio 56 “villages” is a quiet delight for anyone.  Traveling alone gave me plenty of time to dawdle in the areas I wanted without alienating my friends and family.

 My morning started with a brisk walk on the beach and a serious shelling session.  If you are not into shell collecting, let me recommend it. Its good exercise, relaxing, and best of all free!  My collection of unique finds has grown over the years and I have enjoyed decorating my office with baskets of shells collected from various beaches all over the US and the Caribbean. 

 The next morning dawned warm and clear and I was off to Holden Beach for the Festival By the Sea; this time with my friends along.  The Festival was your standard small town fare, with a kick-off parade, craft booths, rides, food, and musical entertainment.  Many of the craft and food booths were located under the bridge; with the musical guests playing at the sound front stage.  The biggest challenge for me was climbing up on the bleachers, but that’s a story for another time!  The band I heard, Morris Cardenas and Friends, played everything from John Lennon to CCR and was just right for the laid back venue.  

For lunch on Sunday my friend took me to visit the Inlet Restaurant at Shallotte Point.  This was more than a place to have a bite, it was a view that made it into an experience.  When you go, plan on taking your time.  We stood in the parking lot which seemed to jut out into the Inland Waterway with a perfect view of Holden Beach, Long Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach.  I could have easily taken a lounge chair and just sat there watching the boats and the sea birds for entertainment.  The meal was excellent-not to be missed is their two story deck with another angle of their magnificent view.  We watched as folks pulled up in their boats to have lunch. 

The sixth day I checked into the Islander Inn, located just past the bridge and directly on the ocean.  The property was charming, comfy and perfect for a girlfriend’s weekend getaway or as in my case a woman traveling alone.  The view was outstanding and the beach was inviting—I spent most of the rest of that day and the next morning walking and sitting on the beach.  The lovely thing about the beach in the fall and winter is the solitude.  Much of the crowds are gone and this suited my mindset at the time.  Ocean Isle, Sunset, and Holden beaches are all known for their wide, clean beaches and the reputation is well deserved.  At high tide, there is a huge area for walking, shelling, or just meditating.  In fact, that morning I spread out my yoga mat and had plenty of room to stretch without getting wet—a truly awesome experience.

 After a quick breakfast I packed up and headed home.  This time I hit the highway and drove straight through only stopping for lunch, bathroom, and stretch breaks.  It took a lot less time than my “stroll” coming down.  I was grateful to be home and I missed my husband and fur kids; but something was missing.  I treasure the time I took to move at my own slow pace, to explore and appreciate.  If you haven’t traveled this way in a while, I encourage you to give it a try.  Traveling solo is a fantastic journey—one that you might really enjoy.  Start with an overnight trip close to home and see what you think.  Who knows, like me you might become hooked!

More pictures of the new bridge superimposed over the old one-lane wooden bridge in Sunset beach:

More images from the Islander Inn in lovely Ocean Isle Beach, NC

More photos from my stay at the Riverfront Hilton in New Bern, NC

Tags: solo travel, women traveling alone

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This past weekend I used a different criterion for choosing a hotel for our stay in Raleigh, NC and was pleasantly surprised.  My husband was one of the referees for the Cary Tennis Center’s hosting of the USTA Campus Tennis 2011 tourney.  Using that as a starting point, I found what seemed like a good option five miles away, actually located in the business district—in the shadow of the Raleigh Durham airport.  Normally, I look for hotels that feature nearby spas, shopping, and other girly type amusements (being a girlfriend getaway specialist and all you know).  While there weren’t much of these type activities in the area, there were an assortment of hotels and eating establishments, perfect for the business traveler and very suitable for our needs.  

We stayed with the Four Points by Sheraton on Airport Blvd. and really enjoyed it.  The property was less than a year old, comfy, and stylish. And the price was great—I booked on my own website www.sandywheeler.cruiseshipcenters.com powered by Expedia and paid $79 for Friday night ($109 the best “desk” price) and Saturday night I paid $99 ($119).  Free Wi-Fi was included and guests were allowed to print to a queue with the first four pages complimentary!  They had an indoor pool and a decent $7 buffet breakfast as well as room service and a bar.  The absolute best thing, however, were the sheets, pillows, and comforter! Dear me, wonderful linens!

So the next time you are looking for a hotel property, consider the business district as a good alternative.  Also check out my website for great pricing!  I also have rental cars, and of course my favorite CRUISES! 

Continue reading about my travels as a tennis widow right here on my blog.  Until next time, have fun and keep on traveling!

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Cruise Question SOS: What About Bad Hair Days?  

Dear Diva Cruiser: I am taking my first cruise and I am pretty excited.  However, I do have a concern.  It’s an 11 day itinerary and I know there’s no way one of those little 3 ounce bottles of shampoo will last that long.  I have a lot of hair—and it’s pretty oily so I wash almost every day.  What can I expect in terms of toiletries and hair products onboard?  Hannah from Houston.

Answer:  Good question, Hannah!  In general, cruise ships don’t offer the small toiletry samples you are used to seeing in hotels and resorts.  On many ships there is a dispenser on the  shower wall that contains body wash and shampoo that you squirt out onto your hand or washcloth.  The product is very similar to the dispensers at my local gym to give you a point of reference.  I have used the dispenser shampoo with good result on my own thick hair.    With that and a three ounce bottle of your favorite shampoo you should be fine.

 There is always the option of putting a larger bottle inside your checked baggage.  Certainly buy a new sealed bottle and place it inside a sealed plastic bag.  A spill inside your suitcase would be costly if you need laundry services for all your things once   onboard.  The cost of additional baggage has to be considered too. 

 And, of course, there are shops on board that carry most anything you can imagine—including shampoo!  They will be more costly than the product you could buy at home, but may in the long run be just the ticket.

 And my favorite advise of all, relax you’re on vacation! Throw on a big sunhat and enjoy yourself!  It’s never a bad hair day in Paradise. 

Tags: hair products

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I was shopping this week for outfits for my upcoming grandbabies, and asked the salesclerk to show me some dress clothes.  She said, “oh, you want to see "Sunday best”? I had to smile as I replied “exactly”. 

Unless you are from the South you might not know, but the term “Sunday best” refers to the clothes you keep special to wear to church—never worn to play in or to school or work. After church, we come home and hang up our Sunday best, except for Easter when you get to wear your special duds all day or at least until the mandatory egg hunt and pictures.  

Sunday best can also refer to the recipes we make on special occasions (or for company) as well the dishes, cutlery, and table linens we use to serve them in. Something special—things we don’t use everyday.  And sadly, these Sunday best items sit unused in the cabinets and cupboards and only see the light of day a couple of times a year.  We save them for someone special.

Yesterday I decided to treat myself to strawberries with my breakfast.  As I reached for a plastic bowl I spied one of my Sunday best bowls way in the back of the cabinet—little painted blue darling things I rarely use. Should I? Could I? Am I special enough to use my Sunday best?

And so I did—in fact I took a step further.  I pulled out a nice placemat and a cloth napkin (this is the big time, Southern women are way proud of their cloth napkins!)  I  took special care with my little meal—I treated myself like company, like someone special. 

I liked the feeling. Who knows, I might get out the lace table cloth and use it on a Tuesday! Won’t that be a hoot?

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·        “All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that.”

·        “Money is the root of all evil.”

·        “Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.”

·        “Never spend your money before you have it.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.”

·        “Time waits for no man.”

• “Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want. ”

Money and time, time and money; who doesn’t need more of one or most likely BOTH of these commodities?  I can certainly relate—I too have found myself wishing for more hours in a day or a bit more cash left at the end of the month.  

 I can’t remember a time when I had less money AND less time than when I was a working mom with two small children.  My heart goes out to working moms; surely you gals deserve a purple heart, an Oscar, a Pulitzer, and a Nobel Prize every year.   These real life heroes need the fun, relaxation, and companionship of girlfriend getaway travel in a huge way!

 Another group of ladies that need to get away from the pressures of their responsibilities are those hardworking “sandwich” generation gals.  These women are sandwiched between caring for their own kids and becoming a parent to their parents.  I haven’t reached this stage yet, and honestly don’t look forward to it.  I like my freedom too much I guess, but will accept the challenge when it arrives. 

To these and all of the other busy, hardworking, women I serve as a travel consultant, I want to dedicate my new web site coming this week.  It will be easy to use and prominently feature great specials and savings on super travel opportunities for you and your gal pals as well as your family.  Just doing my part to save you time and money!  

Ladies I salute you!

To help you save time and money, check out my new web site: sandywheeler.cruiseshipcenters.com.

 I think it's very easy to use! There you can research and book cruises, hotels, air, and more.  And for those who love to book online, you can do it there as well. Or simply give me a call and I can walk you through it.  Check it out and let me know what you think.  email me @ thedivacruiser@gmail.com

Tags: girl's getaway travel, girlfriend getaway travel, ladies travel, women

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By the time you read this, I will have returned from my 3 day, two night trip on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas exactly one week.  During this past week, I have processed a lot of photos, comments, and videos—almost to the point that I felt embarrassed—like “OK folks!  Here are EVEN more pics!” 

 So, what is my final word on the Allure?  What can I say about the biggest ship afloat that hasn’t already been said?  When I got the word that I had been chosen to visit her I began reading everything I could about the Allure and the Oasis as well as the Oasis class of ships.  My colleague Connie, who had the chance to visit the Oasis, kept telling me that I would not believe the size of this ship.  Oprah voted the Allure one of her “favorite things”.  DreamWorks put big name stars like Shrek and Fiona on board—all this hype—could a cruise ship live up to it?

 My first clue to her size came the morning we were scheduled to board.  As is our usual practice Connie and I flew in the night before the cruise and spent the night in Ft. Lauderdale.  From the window of our room I could see two ships at the dock.  One was much MUCH bigger than the other—but from a distance I still didn’t make the connection.  As we made our way to the terminal, I realized the ship which had been on my left was Royal’s Navigator of the Seas and the ship on the right was the Allure.  The size finally hit me—to dwarf the Navigator—that was one BIG ship!  

 So the Allure (and her sister the Oasis coming in at just a few inches smaller) is huge, no denying that.  What else could I say?  I raced around for the next 48 hours as quickly as possible in an effort to find out.  Here’s a list of what I saw:  an ice-show that I would have easily paid to see had it been available to me anywhere in my local area; a Broadway worthy version of Chicago (I am a bit of a musical snob); another  Cirquish type show that held the crowd enraptured called Blue Planet; a zip line over 15 stories, two Flow Rider surf simulators, a full sized basketball court, a miniature golf course, ping pong tables, a mall that had seemingly been dropped down onto this cruise ship complete with a Starbucks and Cupcake bakery; a full sized carousel, a park area complete with huge bushes and trees, outdoor and indoor eating venues including Johnny Rockets; A DreamWorks character parade down main street; an aquarium show with acrobats and high divers; two rock climbing walls; a fitness center that is bigger and better equipped than my local Y; a spa with all sorts of exotic treatment areas; an adults only Solarium pool and Jacuzzi and gourmet restaurant; a 3 tiered main dining room; a Mexican specialty restaurant.

And the best part?  I had to constantly remind myself I was on a cruise ship.  There was little if any movement (I admit I can feel it and there was nothing).  When on the Central Park deck, I was in a park.  While at the ice show I felt I was in a coliseum.  While in the dining room, I was visiting an upscale resort.  The only time I remembered I was on a ship was sitting on my balcony looking at the ocean or looking out from the Solarium deck or the Windjammer Café.  Everything was first rate, first class, and seemed to fit so perfectly into its surroundings that I forgot where I was at times.

 Secondly, even though I am a girls’ getaway specialist, I found so many groups that this type of ship would fit so nicely. At several spots I wanted my sisters and girlfriends along with me as I know they would have loved being there.  There were times I would have loved to have had my husband along, romantic areas—interesting little spots that I knew he would have loved.  Teens and children would be more than entertained by all the activities, adventures, and sports venues.  Whether you wanted to stroll and relax, or run, climb, jump, and dance—this ship really does have something for everyone.

 So what can I say about the largest cruise ship?  I loved it, I totally loved it.  The clever design allows for the movement and comfort of crowds of people without feeling crowded.  Somehow there always seemed to be a seat, a nook where you could sit and enjoy.  And that the acrobats, dancers, skaters, chefs, waiters, and other staff all seemed to not only be good at what they do but to enjoy what they do.  And that I was the most important guest on board—now that’s a very special vacation!  

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When visiting a new property for the first time I can usually give you one or two words that describe it perfectly.  Sometimes I change my mind for the better or even the worse upon closer inspection, but most of the time I get it just about right.  The words that came to mind to describe the Islander Inn at first glance were “charming” and “comfy”.  Nothing I saw or experienced changed my opinion. 

 My visit came on the 6^th day and night of a week long trip to explore the beaches of North Carolina for opportunities that fit in well with my specialty of girlfriend travel.  It had been a most wonderful week full of excellent mild weather, visiting with old friends, great food, beautiful scenery, and memorable experiences.  How could anything meet my expectations after such a near perfect week?  As a solo traveler, I value and truly enjoy my time puttering around and exploring, but I must admit I had just a tad of homesickness at this point.  But the relaxing mood of the property and the gorgeous location right on the beach restored my spirit and I felt very peaceful and comfortable soon.

 The Islander is located right on the beach just after you turn right after coming over the bridge.  The property is built on stilts with parking by permit only under the building.  Parking is free and on a first come, first serve basis. The lobby is inviting and the check in process was handled efficiently.  The lobby did not appear accessible at first glance, but there is a ramp and an elevator just beyond the office with entry through the back side of the lobby. 

My room was located in building 4 and faced the ocean.  You take the elevator up to building 2 and then either turn left for building 1 or right for 3 and 4.  In between the buildings you can catch a glimpse of just how close to the ocean you are and I was pretty excited by the time I reached my room.  And, as I said, those initial words were charming and comfy!  The room was not huge, but large enough for two women to stay in comfort and for four to gather to chat and mingle while getting ready to go out somewhere.  In a pinch you could squeeze in quite a few ladies getting ready to hit the beach, dance clubs, or heading out for a great seafood dinner.  The room included a couch, lamps, coffee table, chair, desk, microwave and table, a bar to serve food, a frig, small sink, closet, bathroom, and of course a king sized bed. 

The bathroom was adequate, clean, and the entire room smelled good.  I liked that the bathroom had a sink and the bar had another sink and mirror—two women could get on their makeup or do hair at the same time. 

 The absolute best thing about the room was of course the location!  I get as excited as a kid about an oceanfront view and this one was amazing.  I had a small porch with a table and chairs for enjoying—and enjoy I did.  

How about this view?  Isn’t this amazing? 

I have a lot to explore, so let’s get down on the beach!  The Islander is well set up for guests, with an outside pool and deck area, a private walkway to the beach reserved for guests, and a gazebo perfect for morning coffee or an evening glass of wine.  It was very warm for fall and I made excellent use of the warm weather to walk on the beach. 

There’s nothing like aerobics in paradise, huh?  Low tide means a deep beach with lots of shell beds to explore and I came home with quite a few treasures from the sea.  The beach in the fall and winter is a totally different experience than in the summertime.  Today I pretty much had a stretch to myself and particularly as the evening began to settle in, it was my own beachy wonderland. 

Here is the back of the property with a view from the end of the walkway to the beach.  That’s my room and deck just behind the palm tree’s trunk.  From this angle you can see the walkway, the pool gate, and the edge of the gazebo.  The small windows on the bottom floor are the indoor pool and Jacuzzi.  I was so busy on the beach I never did get there—but when I stuck my head in the door I heard a group of ladies oohing and aahing while soaking in the spa.  You get the point, oohing and aahing is good.  This is the lovely gazebo; this shot was taken from the pool deck (see the railing of the pool?) I sat here and watched the sun going down, quite an enriching experience.  The peace and beauty of a beach at sunset feeds the soul and washes troubles away.  Dear friends and my sisters came to mind—I wished they could have been there to share it with me. 

The gazebo had comfy seating and was lighted so as the sun finally set I felt safe.  The lighted path and stepping stones made walking easy and comfortable, even for a klutz like me.  After driving into town for some dinner (Shallotte is only 8 miles and Calabash is 6 miles; although the island itself has year round dining for most any taste) I finally settled into my room for the evening.  I propped open the door to my deck since it was still warm and turned on my huge TV to catch the latest installment of Dancing with the Stars.  Yes, I was on a working trip, but a girl has to know her priorities, right?  Later I turned off the TV, grabbed a good book and sat and read and listened to the ocean.  That and all the fresh air and exercise I had gotten that day put me out like a light in no time.

The room came with breakfast and the next morning I threw on some clothes and headed over to see what was offered.  The breakfast room and the attendant were cheerful. 

The usual muffins, bagels, cereals, and the cook your own waffles were available and I helped myself to a waffle with sugar-free syrup.  The breakfast room opened out to the pool and walkway to the beach on one side and the hallway to the elevator on the other.  I was delighted to see the Coke machine offering my drug of choice, Diet Coke, for only $1.25 for a 20 oz. bottle.  Another reason to love a small town!

After breakfast, I went back to my room and leisurely read the paper and then decided to take a long soak in my tub.  It is my theory that a good hot bath will cure most of the world’s ills, and any stress or anxiety I had melted away.  Of course, after the relaxing adventure I had experienced at the Islander Inn, I didn’t have a lot of stress.  

Soon it was time to check out and head onto my next leg of my journey.  I said a thank you to the friendly staff and adios to my little suite where I had been comfortable, relaxed, and safe.  I will be back again—next time with my sisters or girlfriends.  That’s my report from the Islander Inn, Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina—I believe this property would be perfect for a girlfriend getaway weekend!

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