
Last week we packed up our bags and made the journey to the beach – and Oh what fun we had!

Harkers Island is Steven’s old stomping grounds – with a population of just over 1200 residents, the island makes a perfect little getaway. Heather describes the island as your timeless southern charm town. Most residents ride bikes around the island, doors are never locked, and granny will come out on the porch and keep the kiddos in line. You will surely get an arm workout waving hello back to passerbys.
Just a short drive down Harker Island Road is a launch site where you can make a short boat trip into the Back Sound to head toward Shackleford Banks. Shackleford Banks is a barrier island located in the southern most point of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. It is the home of more than 100 wild horses. While no one knows for sure how the horses ended up on the island – it is hypothesized these descendants of Spanish Mustangs survived (and thrived) after a shipwreck sometime in the 1500’s. Check out the Foundation for Shackleford Horses Facebook Page for more information on the great organization that preserves and protects these beautiful creatures.


We had the rare opportunity of seeing the newest addition to the Shackleford Bank herd. A foal no more than a few weeks old, bathed in the afternoon sun.
We visited several other nearby islands as well including Beaufort and Morehead City – where we ate some good food at the Sanitary Fish Market & Seafood restaurant.
Steven and Chandler caught some fish!

We had quite a few visitors come join us at the beach house this week and I think it’s safe to say that we all had a great time!
From the Brightleaf Beach Bums to you – we hope you are having a happy summer friends!

We are heading home…

Check out more pics from our trip in the Photo Gallery – Brightleaf Beach Bums