Alum Crystals Time Lapse

Grow these crystals by dissolving alum in half a cup of boiling water. You’ll need about 2-1/2 tablespoons of alum. Allow the solution to sit undisturbed. Within a couple of hours, you’ll have this!

Garden City Pier in January

Here’s the Garden City, SC pier at low tide in January. It’s not exactly bikini weather, but the South Carolina beaches are not too shabby in the winter!

Sandscape at Pawleys Island

Pawleys Island Sandscape

Here’s the inlet side of the beach at Pawleys Island. The water is cold, but the sun spangles are so pretty!

Portuguese Man-of-War

Portuguese Man of War

The downside of the water still being warm is that these are around. This is a Portuguese man of war, washed up on the beach. This particular one lost its stinging tentacles in the surf somewhere, yet was still alive and moving (I didn’t know they did that!). If you see one, the only part you might want to touch is this brightly-colored float, otherwise don’t risk a sting. If you get stung, here’s how to treat it. Remember… the tentacles can sting you even if they are detached from the rest of the animal or if the man of war is dead. Don’t walk barefoot around them and keep an eye out for them in the water.

Atlantic Sand Castle

Sand Castle

Here’s a pretty sand castle! The Atlantic is still warm, so why not head to the beach?

October at Pawleys Island

Eric and Sakari at Pawleys Island

It’s late October, but the water is still wonderful at Pawleys Island!

Garden City Sand Castle

Garden City Sand Castle

Here’s a sand castle I saw near the Garden City pier. Pretty nice, don’t you think?

Bodyboarding at Pawleys Island

Bodyboarding at Pawleys Island

Late summer is the perfect time to break out that body board and head to the beach. This is the south beach at Pawleys Island, a favorite spot!

Mechanical Bull Riding in Myrtle Beach

Mechanical Bull Riding in Myrtle Beach

This year for my birthday I decided to try something new. We went to Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach and tried mechanical bull riding. For those of you who haven’t tried it, there is a kiddie setting so anyone can ride. Falling off isn’t that bad, though I’ll warn you the plastic was pretty hot from the sun. Good times!

Elk at Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park

Elk at Yellowstone National Park

Don’t these elk look relaxed? This herd seems to live full-time in Mammoth Village in Yellowstone National Park.