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OAK ISLAND , NC
Having never seen Southport or the Cape Fear River before, I did not know if the river was really a river, or part of the Atlantic Ocean. Across the water I could see the Oak Island Lighthouse and Fort Caswell at the river�s mouth. To the left of the mouth I saw more land which I later learned was Battery Island and Bald Head Island, both natural and totally undeveloped.
It was a wonderful sight. It was also the first time that I saw ocean going freighters and tankers up close and personal as they entered the Cape Fear River from the sea on their route to Wilmington NC, twenty-seven miles up river from Southport. These things were HUGE. Especially when they are close enough to read the names of the ships. I remember one ship, the Gulf Star, a large tanker that seemed to take up the entire river channel.
Almost next door to the motel was Mack�s Cafe. I would walk over there to get a burger or a drink and talk to some of the locals who kind of hung out there. By asking questions, I learned a wealth of information about the river, the town, and the sea. I learned about everything from river currents and tide tables to shrimping and Pelicans. These were good people who made their living from the sea, very knowledgeable people, people who made me a part of their society and made me feel truly at home. I felt more of a sense of belonging than I had ever felt before. And you know what? It didn�t feel too damn bad at all!
Finally after dealing with Realtor Ed Morgan for almost one year, my Grandfather purchased a large group of properties in Long Beach, located between Tyrell Street and Pamlico Street. The streets at that time did not have numbers like they do today, but that was all of the lots between 78th ST. SE and 76th ST. SE that were not developed at that time. Since there were only seven houses and one trailer within those three blocks, that was quite a chunk of land. And it was beautiful land indeed. It had thick woods of Live Oaks, all growing in the direction of the sea breeze, Pines, Yaupon Trees, and undergrowth of thousands of species of plants and bushes, all of which were alive with numerous types of insects, birds, and all kinds of wildlife.
The only choice left to make was where to build our house. After carefully examining all of the properties, a location was chosen on two central lots on the East side of Tyrell St., AKA, 78th ST. SE. Construction began in the early spring.
In order for us to be nearby to the construction of the house, we rented the Wise�s cottage at the southernmost end of Tyrell St. for the next five months.
The school that I attended in High Point NC, because of my excellent grades, allowed me to leave school in mid-April rather than at the end of May. On April 20, 1960, we were in Long Beach and building had begun both on our house and my psychological make-up for the rest of my life.