Kathy Goodson

Waiting to Hit the Beach

My first trip to Oak Island was about twenty years ago to visit family. We arrived in the middle of the night and drove up and down the dirt roads looking for their house. I had no idea what this new beach house would look like. My husband, Roger and I spent days fishing off the old Long Beach Pier and exploring the island.

After that faithful trip we were sold on the wonders of the island.  Now each year we return to Oak Island for a week each summer and during Thanksgiving weekend. We have a long list of “have to” activities planned for each trip. My husband spends most mornings on the Ocean Crest Pier fishing and making friends with all the other fishermen that line the pier waiting to catch the big one.  We love to explore the marsh areas using the new boardwalks observing countless types of wildlife from shy fleet-footed deer to fiddler crabs waving to us from the marsh mud.

We drive out to the end of the island to walk the wide beach and to the Caswell end to see the lighthouse. Another day has to be dedicated to exploring the antique shops in Southport. While yet another day will be spent riding the ferry to the aquarium at Fort Fisher. Often our week ends before we have time to do all the fun things on our list. Of course, I am always carrying my camera and equipment with me because you never know when you will discover that perfect shot.

I have been taking photos since my mother lent me her Brownie camera years ago. Since my retirement, I have concentrated on learning more about photography. I’ve taken three courses and studied numerous photography books but the best lessons still come from practice. I use a Nikon D40x digital DSLR camera. The great thing about digital photography is you can take thousands of photos and only print the best. I like to enter photo contests and I have been fortunate to win several and even have a couple of my photos printed in a garden magazine. Last year I was honored to have a photo on the cover of The Pelican Post. My greatest joy this year has been photographing my new granddaughter.

Luckily, now that my husband has joined me in retirement, we plan to spend more time at Oak Island.  Maybe, we can actually get all those things done on our “Fun things to do at Oak Island” list. 

Swimming in Liquid Gold

Oak Island Lighthouse

Southport Pier and Ship

Pier at Southport