Category: Published

Venus Flytrap Trail, Carolina Beach State Park

Posted on by
I’ve always wanted to check out the Venus Flytrap trail at Carolina Beach State Park. Thank you for the opportunity & photo credits. Read the full story about these incredible plants here.
Venus flytraps grow close to the trail at Carolina Beach State Park. PHOTO COURTESY LAUREN DUNCAN – SPECTRUM NEWS 1

What You Need To Know

  • Venus flytraps are only found in the wild within about 70 miles of Wilmington, North Carolina
  • The carnivorous plants are protected by the state and in consideration for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act
  • You can see Venus flytraps in the wild at Carolina Beach State Park, near Wilmington
  • The park gives guided tours along the Flytrap Trail every Saturday from March until early November
Venus flytraps are only found in the wild within about 70 miles of Wilmington, North Carolina. PHOTO COURTESY LAUREN DUNCAN – SPECTRUM NEWS 1

Canoeing on the Congaree River

Image

2017 (c) Gold Star Creative
Congaree National Park – Congaree National Park credits Share the Experience, Dot Shiva – Date taken: August 27, 2016

Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees.

Congaree National Park
Continue Reading →
2020 (c) Gold Star Creative

Collector’s Cafe Catches Fire

Posted on by

We had already heard the fire engines from our home, 5 blocks away, when a call from the newsroom came in. That’s never a good sign.

Collectors Cafe & Gallery was damaged in a fire on July 16. Myrtle Beach fire crews worked to battle the blaze near 77th Avenue North. THE SUN NEWS, MYRTLE BEACH – BY PROVIDED BY LAUREN EMPEY
Continue Reading →

Feature: Myrtle Beach Bounces Back from Dorian

Posted on by

‘What’s Dorian?’: Myrtle Beach back to business as usual after little damage

It was business as usual in Myrtle Beach on Friday following Hurricane Dorian.

Despite the strong winds and flooding the area experienced when Dorian slammed the South Carolina coast on Thursday, residents were out and about on the beach, either soaking up the sun, exercising, seashell hunting or using metal detectors to discover what washed up along the shore.

Photo by Lauren Empey, for The Sun News
Continue Reading →

Happy 75th Birthday Smokey Bear!

Image

Only you can prevent wildfires.

– Smokey Bear

What an honor to have our campfire build & photo featured as your example of how to practice fire safety! Thank you for helping teach and inspire future generations to preserve & protect America’s landscapes.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Share the Experience (2017)
Continue Reading →

Stairs leading to Mingo Falls in Cherokee National Forest

Image

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”

John Muir
2017 (c) Gold Star Creative

A forest haven awaits at Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, where you can enjoy the pursuit of wildlife, the thrill of whitewater, or of course, solitude on a backcountry trail like the once pictures.

The 650,000-acre forest is the largest tract of public land in Tennessee, and the perfect spot for exploring.

Take a day tour or stay over night, there are options for every kind of explorer through the link in our bio. – Recreation.gov

  • 2017 (c) Gold Star Creative
  • 2017 (c) Gold Star Creative
Mingo Falls, Cherokee National Forest, NC ~ August 6, 2016

Featured Cover Photo on Homes & Land Magazine

Image

We are happy to announce our photo is featured on the cover of Homes & Land Magazine for The Grand Strand this month!

2180 Waterview Dr UNIT 527, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
4 beds • 3 baths • 2,350 sqft  •  SOLD $430,000  •  Dec 11, 2018

View the full gallery for this beautiful condo on our Facebook page.

To date, we have shot over 250 homes along the Grand Strand.

Ready to list? Go with Gold!! 🌟

12 Trails for Fall Mountain Biking

Image

No matter what the weather, fall is an invigorating time to be riding on dirt.

Tsali Recreation Area, North Carolina

2016 (c) Gold Star Creative
Nantahala National Forest, Share the Experience (2017)

“Though some trails within the Nantahala National Forest are closed to bikes, the Tsali singletrack trails are nationally known for great mountain biking and generally rated as moderately difficult. Tsali (Sah-lee) Recreation Area’s four-loop system offers a variety of landscapes, and offer alternating days for mountain bikes and horses, so check before you go. You can climb one-foot wide rugged paths or travel flat, wide roads. Tsali’s trails meander through mixed pine and hardwoods on a peninsula stretching into Fontana Lake.”


– Kristi Bray, Recreation.gov