Wilmington, Hampstead, Holly Ridge, Topsail, Sneads Ferry, Jacksonville

First Fay, now Gustav. We are old hands at this storm business after spending so many years on Topsail Island. My wife is fond of saying, "you pay your money and you take your chances, especially if you want to live this close to the ocean." The trade off is the unbelievable sounds of the waves crashing on the beach just a few streets over and the views from our sound side home of the Intracoastal. Lots of marsh between us and the water but the sunsets, especially in the winter are magnificent. Most folks think of the beach as a summertime place to go but candidly, the fall and winter are the absolute best seasons to be here. The crowds are gone and the beach walks are mostly just us and our dogs. Yep, I am glad to see the fall arrive. Now, if we can just keep it a secret for a while longer...

Wow! We know that Florida is experiencing heavy rains as a result of the tropical storm but it is absolutely gorgeous here on the island today. Low humidity and light winds. Spent some time at the local farmer's market this morning and picked up some of the season's first scuppernong grapes. While we are not big fans of the wine made from those grapes (just up the road in Duplin county) the grapes are just wonderful. Reminds both Kat and me of our childhoods, when the grape arbor in the back yard was a perfect shady place to hide out on a summers afternoon. The added bonus was all those grapes, as long as you could fight off those vicious yellow jackets and wasps to get to them. Visit your nearby farmers market and see if they have a few containers of scuppernong grapes, find yourself a shady place to sit and experience a little bit of heaven!

Topsail Island is a barrier island just off the coast of North Carolina. The ocean waters here are an unbelievable blue, shocking when you consider that this particular blue is normally seen in the Caribbean waters or in the Keys. It always surprises friends when they view photographs from the beach. "Where is this?" "When did you travel to Key West?" The fact that these waters and the wide beaches of soft Carolina sand are only two hours or so from Raleigh, seven hours from the mountains of North Carolina and within six hours of Washington, D.C. and the same from Atlanta. (Well, give or take an hour or so). Easy driving distance, get here in a day and spend long lazy days on the beautiful Topsail Island beaches.

Come and enjoy!

Jet skis are a popular form of transport up and down the Channel.

As for boats, we have 'em. Sail, motor, yachts, sportsfishers, they are all here!

This is just one of the marinas either on the island or close by. This is the Harbour Village Marina, located just off the Intracoastal in Hampstead. We also have a full service marina, The Beach House, on Topsail Island. Topsail is a favorite spot for wintering for many of the boats on their way back south after spending the summer months up north. Topsail Island is viewable from many of the homes is Harbour Village and the boat basin provides easy access to the ICWW and the ocean.

Well, isn't this what summertime at the beach is all about? Kids, waves, a couple of boogie boards and sun, sun, sun! It is beautiful today on Topsail Island and those on the beach are no doubt enjoying the water. The temperature, as it is in many parts of the country is HOT! Wilmington, N.C. was expecting 100 degrees. We stay a little cooler out on the island, due to the ocean breezes. Topsail Island has a north to south orientation, so sunrises and sunsets are angled differently. Well, they would be, wouldn't they? All of us are looking for cool drinks, cool places and great air conditioning. Our island population expands greatly from June through Labor Day and although we are pleased to see so many enjoying the sun and surf, it is pleasant after the week end is over to return to a more normal traffic level. The day trippers head home to slather on lotion (or splash vinegar to take the sting out of the sunburn). The we are left with the cottagers, enjoying their week at the beach. We hope that once in a while, one of them will make the decision and take the opportunity during this terrific market to begin a Topsail Island tradition and own a home at the beach. It is a wonderful time to be a real estate professional!