Autumn with Topsail
Today we went to the “Autumn with Topsail” festival on Topsail Island. Here I am at the Karen Beasley Turtle Hospital. I made it through three artisans’ booths before I had to buy something (a beautiful beaded necklace). I was hunting for Ray McAllister’s booth. Ray wrote the book Topsail Island: Mayberry by the Sea, which was practically my bible as I wrote Before the Storm and Secrets She Left Behind. Ray and I have chatted back and forth online, but it was fun to finally meet him and his wife Vicki. Allan Libby, Director of Tourism for Surf City, was at Ray’s booth, so here we are all in a row (Allan, me and Ray). 
Then John and I hit the food stands (he had barbecue and I had chicken teriyaki. Yum) and we bumped into Lori Fisher, owner of the wonderful Quarter Moon Books, while we were munching.
Back at the condo, we both did a little work. After being stranded here by the storm a couple of weeks ago, it was wonderful to see thesunshine and calm water again and the 
dolphins romping in the waves. We went to dinner at our favorite restaurant, then came home and set up my telescope on the deck and stared at the moon and a planet we have yet to identify because we’re new at this astronomy stuff. But the very coolest thing was the phosphorescence of the waves. I’d never seen that here before and it was beautiful. This is the only video I could find to illustrate it, and although the video was shot in Australia, the Atlantic Ocean looked very similar tonight.
Tomorrow is back to the grind. It’s been a great day, but I’m looking forward to getting down to business tomorrow. Actually, I can’t wait!
Diane, will you be spending some time at Topsail? We just got back from a week at the Outer Banks and the weather was wonderful! Hope the time you spend there will be just as pleasant as our week was.
Diane, what a great day you had. I can imagine the sounds and smells of the ocean. I have never ever been, but the ways that you have described it in your books and blogs, you make feel as though I have. Some day I will make it. I want to see more than just “The Ocean”. I want to see it from everyone’s eyes so to speak. From the Coast of Maine to Key West. Then through the Gulf of Mexico. Take a trip to California and up the coast all the way to Canada. So I am afraid that just going to “the ocean” is not going to satisfy my need to see…lol
cindy, I hope you get the chance to make that wonderful trip!
Ann, we’re here all week and we’ll be coming back off and on all fall and winter and spring. Yeah!
Hi Diane,
I stumbled across you as an author over the summer when my Aunt leant me Before the Storm. I had it finished within 2 days I loved it so much. I was over the moon to discover you’re an established author with loads of books to keep me entertained. I’ve almost finished Secrets She Left Behind now so I’ll be reviewing that for my blog soon. I love you’re writing and can’t wait to read more of your work.
Diane, I’m so happy for you that you’ll be spending so much time at your Beach condo!…such a wonderful and inspirational place to write.
I didn’t realize there was a Turtle Hospital there…one more thing that makes me yearn to visit TopSail!
Hi Di, do you remember being at the beach in the summer and throwing a handful of sand in the water and it would make the jellyfish light up at night. I guess they have something in them that’s phosphorescent. that must’ve been amazing to see it happening for no apparent reason. Glad you’re having fun, Jo
Caterpillar, I’m glad you’re enjoying my books. I checked out your site and love it. love my UK readers!
Joann, yes, I told John how we used to throw sand in the canal behind our house to watch the jellyfish light up. Not sure he believed me! in the light of day, I’m wondering if I imagined the phosphorescence the other night? Maybe it was just the moonlight on the waves? I’ll have to check it out again tonight.