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Vacationing on Bald Head
Island
by Jennifer Weiss
Transport yourself to a
variety of environments, including miles of oceanfront beach, an extensive
forest preserve, and acres of tidal creeks and salt marsh, with a journey
to Bald Head Island, North Carolina. Bald Head Island, located on the east
side of Cape Fear, is a small, fairly isolated village that is only
accessible via the passenger ferry from the town of Southport. Hop on
board for an adventure to a place where a slow pace and a relaxing
atmosphere await around every corner.
Since the island can only be
accessed through the ferry, there is a notable absence of cars, and a
subsequent replacement with electric golf carts, throughout this true cape
village. However, this allows for the kind of quiet and reflection one
does not typically find in such a stunning environment. Walk along the 14
miles of pristine beaches that make their way around Cape Fear, or head
out for a fishing, canoeing, kayaking adventure on the tidal creeks and
salt marsh that lie along the north side of the island. You never need to
worry about the crowds that typically plague such notoriously beautiful
areas since the seclusion of this island makes it a well kept vacation
secret.
Once you experience the allure
that is Bald Head Island, you will want to come back year after year. Many
visitors fear that any area with such breathtaking surroundings is bound
to be run over with real estate developments and swarms of people
overtaking the miles of beaches. Of the 12,000 acres that constitute the
island, however, 10,000 of them are protected as nature preserves, meaning
they will always remain in their natural, and beautiful, state.
When you want to get back to
nature, Bald Head Island offers more than the typical beach and water
activities. You can find a maritime forest, rare in any part of the
country, in the middle of the island that is ripe with a variety of trees,
including cedars, live oaks, junipers, dogwoods, and yaupons. Take a
mid-afternoon stroll along the walking path as you soak in the smells of
this dense forest, keeping an eye open for any animals that may scurry
along nearby.
In addition to the forest, the
M. Kent Mitchell Nature Trail provides even more amazing views of nature
while also educating visitors about the native plant species. The trail
starts on the edge of the forest, makes it way next to the salt marsh, and
takes tourists over a tidal creek so they can view firsthand some of the
best aspects of the island. Along the trail, the diverse plant life is
labeled, allowing visitors to recognize plants they may have never seen
before.
Since every active vacationer
needs a rejuvenating meal after a long day of swimming in the ocean,
playing on the beach, or venturing through the forest, Bald Head Island
offers something to appease everyone's tastes. For fine dining to simply
toast the most reinvigorating vacation of your life, head over to the Bald
Head Island Club Restaurant, where you will find an extensive wine
collection, premium steaks, regional seafood, and a comely atmosphere. If
you prefer more casual dining that centers around the magnificent view,
make your way to Eb & Flo's. Enjoy your delicious seafood dinner outside
as the warmth of the night settles upon you after an exciting day of
adventure.
Visiting Bald Head Island is meant to be a
relaxing, enjoyable experience that allows you to escape from the stresses
of everyday life. To get the most out of your trip, stay in a
Bald Head Island vacation rental
that sits along a white sandy beach and has an unobstructed view of the
ocean. You can sit on the porch at the end of the day, and listen to the
sound of the waves crashing ashore while enjoying a thoughtful
conversation with a loved one. Make your way back to the beach to watch
the sunset from the sand, and then take the short walk back to your
vacation rental so you can rest for another full day's activities.
Whatever you have planned for your trip, your vacation home will make it
easy to enjoy all this pristine village has to offer.
About the Author
HomeAway.com has the most
comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an
alternative lodging option, consider
Bald Head Island vacation rentals
for your next trip to Coastal North Carolina.
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