Kure Beach and Coquina Outcroppings, North Carolina

My last stop before meeting my friends in Oak Island was the Wilmington area. I had heard about some interesting things to do in the area and thought I might have been interested but once I got there I went straight to the beach. A week in the hot, humid south had caused my motivation to vanish, leaving me with a desire only to swim. So I headed to Kure Beach, where I floated in perfect 75 degree water in between short walks around the pier and reading in the sun. In the afternoon I even mustered enough energy to walk on the pier itself. Just the kind of day I was looking for.

Kure Beach Pier, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Kure Beach Pier, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Bird crazy, Kure Beach Pier, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Bird crazy, Kure Beach Pier, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Views from the pier, Kure Beach Pier, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Views from the pier, Kure Beach Pier, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Pelican, Kure Beach Pier, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Pelican, Kure Beach Pier, Kure Beach, North Carolina

By evening I found myself refreshed and took a walk near Fort Fisher in an attempt to see the coquina outcroppings there. On the way I stopped to explore the gnarled live oaks near the shore. I have seen examples of windswept trees before but these were exceptionally picturesque:

Gnarled live oaks, Fort Fisher, North Carolina

Gnarled live oaks, Fort Fisher, North Carolina

Gnarled live oaks, Fort Fisher, North Carolina

Gnarled live oaks, Fort Fisher, North Carolina

Coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Sun setting, coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Sun setting, coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Coquina outcroppings in fading daylight, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Coquina outcroppings in fading daylight, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Closeup of coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Closeup of coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Closeup of coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Closeup of coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Underwater in tide pool, coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina

Underwater in tide pool, coquina outcroppings, Kure Beach, North Carolina