Local Wanders – Life Adventure

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park – Wilson NC

June 30, 2020 admin 0

We have been quarantining since mid-March and well, we just need to go someplace – safely, of course. What started as a question of what might be a fun day trip (within an hour of Wilmington) turned into a 2-hourish jaunt to Wilson NC to the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum. Here’s a little history Vollis Simpson was the son of a farmer, and a world War II vet. Post-war he started a machinery repair shop, with friends. And eventually a house-moving side business. During both jobs, he began to collect odd machinery parts, industrial salvage, transportation supplies, and other objects. After his retirement he began constructing enormous windmills in his yard. Not the working windmills of grinding or irrigation use, but artistry that depicted the concepts of weather vanes and handcrafted whirligigs that are still seen locally on houses, fence posts and barns. His field of these “whirligigs” soon began attracting the attention of local people, and eventually with the advent of the Internet, visitors from out-of-state. Without any official advertising, Simpson’s farm became one of Wilson County’s top tourism destinations. You can learn more about the park here wilsonwhirligigpark.org

The Most Amazing Sea Turtle Patrol Ever

May 21, 2017 admin 0

Jenn and I have been volunteering with the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project for the past four years. Initially, I was the only one interested. I wanted to see baby turtles hatch! I truly believed once I saw this event, I would check it off my bucket list and that would be the end. The first year and the first nest was an adventure! After the first few nights of sitting at a nest, I invited Jenn to join me. As a side note, there is something restorative to your soul sitting at night on a beach, listening to waves, making friends, or reconnecting with old ones, waiting for baby turtles to hatch. Then it happened, BABY TURTLES! Our first season there were record numbers of nests and we saw many babies off to ‘Big Blue’. We were bitten by the sea turtle bug, like many of our beach living counterparts. We have had the joy of experiencing many wonderful, and a few heartbreaking, moments while volunteering with the Sea Turtle Project. This year, 2017, after a couple of years as a backup on patrol, we gained a regular spot on the morning patrol team. Morning patrol takes a four wheel drive Bobcat onto the beach each morning to look for nest that have been laid overnight. On this day, we were filling in for some friends who were out of town. It was a Sunday morning, we were both grumpy to be up early. We were anticipating a long the rest of the story

Firing of the Cannons at Night

May 17, 2017 admin 0

I love history! Well, most history. Certainly, recent history….recent as in the past 250ish years, give or take a decade or two. Perhaps it’s misogynistic to say, but my interest is strongly toward US History. I am fascinated by the idea that history happened, where my feet are standing. When I graduated High School, and my parents said they would take me on a trip, I didn’t choose the beach, or an amusement park, or things other kids might choose, I chose a history tour! Philadelphia, Washington and Williamsburg! It should then, come as no surprise that I am a frequent visitor to the historic sites near my home. Especially, those that offer some sort of living history demonstration. As was the case on May 13, 2017. I had read that the State Historic Site at Fort Fisher planned to fire their newly refurbished 32-pound rifled and banded seacoast cannon. It had been a busy Saturday, and we had just settled in to do nothing on Saturday evening, when my phone alerted to the event. we jumped up and hustled to get there….barely arriving before the first firing. I barely jostled my way to the front for any video. By the third firing, I was pleased with my capture. If you love History, and even if you don’t, Fort Fisher is a fun, and beautiful, place to visit! We can’t recommend it enough!