There are more than 10 miles of smooth riding from the drawbridge, up and down the beach and back again.

Also, the River to the Sea Bike Route expands from Riverfront Park — just off Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington — to Johnnie Mercer’s Pier in Wrightsville Beach. This route, which stretches for nearly 10 miles, takes bikers for a trek along the historic trolley line. Most of the journey is a quiet one, cycling through very peaceful residential areas.

A new 1.2-mile multi-use pathway along Eastwood Road has been constructed near Military Cutoff Road, and a 1.6-mile extension of the pathway to Cardinal Drive is currently under construction. Another 3.2-mile pathway is nearing completion along Military Cutoff Road.

Between Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, there are approximately 40 miles of trails for you and your family to explore, including established bike trails, as well as picturesque side streets. There are also plenty of parks for picnics along the way and salty seashores for sunbathing. Visit www.wmpo.org to download a bike path map of New Hanover County. Fasten your helmet before you hit the trails.

If mountain biking is more your speed, try Blue Clay Trails, 6 miles of off-road trails located on the right side of Juvenile Center Drive off Blue Clay Road under the power lines. Park by the power lines and follow the signs.

While priced as low as $8.00, all prints are titled digitally and reproduced as high quality Giclées.

A light gray mat is also printed around the white area. All prints fit standard frame sizes found everywhere. Pricing is by frame size.

To view all of Miller’s prints and/or purchase these prints click here!

The first series Miller has released are nature and beach scenes.

Other series (to be released) include prints of his illustrations from his four pirate books and a selection of his retro/vintage art from the 19950s and 1960s.

Miller was recently the subject of a feature article in the January issue of Our State Magazine.

Miller Pope was born in South Carolina but spent most of his career during the “golden age of illustration” in the New York advertising and publishing arenas, after getting his start on the Marine Corps’ legendary Leatherneck magazine.

Miller studied figure drawing at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C., at the Art Students League in New York City.

His works have appeared on novel covers and in major magazines. He was elected to the Society of Illustrators in 1957.

With his wife, Helen, he moved south in the 1970s and worked to develop The Winds Resort Beach Club and Sea Trail Plantation on the Southeastern North Carolina coast.

To view all of Miller Pope’s prints and/or purchase these prints click here!

Blockade Runner Lounge — The poolside bar offers guests a covered area to enjoy the salt air, while the modern glass encased lounge inside the hotel offers visitors a garden lawn view and a glimpse of the beach’s horizon.

22 North — An array of menu items awaits you at 22 North on North Lumina Avenue and for late night, a pool table and booth seating offers guests a chance to relax and enjoy life at the beach.Buddy’s Crab House and Oyster Bar — Dollar bills with the John Hancocks of visitors and locals decorate this pirate-inspired bar, but don’t let the name fool ya, no food is served at this local establishment.

Gabby’s Lounge at the Holiday Inn SunSpree — One of the lounges located within the hotel, open from late morning until… Live entertainment is featured on the weekends and outdoor seating is available.

Jerry Allen’s Sports Bar and Grill — To catch up on all the games you missed while lounging seaside and catch a quick bite to eat, pop over to Jerry Allen’s Sports Bar and Grill. The tantalizing treats off the late night menu are served until they close up shop at 2 a.m.

King Neptune’s Pirate Lounge — Located adjacent to one of the beach’s finest seafood restaurants, the lounge at King Neptune’s offers visitors a peek into the life of a pirate. With Jolly Rogers flags and pirate memorabilia mounted on every inch of the walls, you can find locals and visitors alike sharing in the swashbuckling celebration of a day well spent.

Lagerheads Tavern — Located directly across from Roberts Grocery, Lagerheads is situated just right for people watching on Lumina Avenue. Locals can be found hanging out on the front patio all day long, enjoying the summer sun.

The Palm Room — Located next to Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, the Palm Room offers visitors a large venue to hear both local and regional bands. Comedy shows also frequent the venue and kicking up your heels is always an option.

Red Dogs — Equipped with bars on the upper and lower levels, Red Dogs also offers its patrons two levels of dancing. With different DJs showcasing their musical stylings on a regular basis, the venue is popular amongst many college-age coeds.

Wrightsville Beach is also minutes away from Historic Downtown Wilmington, a favorite hot spot for locals. Luckily, a cab ride from Wrightsville Beach to Wilmington city center is only $25. While you’re downtown, you can watch a play at one of the outstanding local theaters, stroll along the Riverwalk, listen to an abundance of live music, take a horse and carriage ride, catch a ghost tour or eat in one of downtown’s renowned restaurants.

Couples Getaway Package

Bring your significant other to the beach for a relaxing, renewing weekend of togetherness and adventure with our Couples Getaway Package at The Winds Resort Beach Club on Ocean Isle Beach, NC

October 1-March 8, 2012, the rate per person is from $158.00 .

March 9,- May 23, 2012, the rate per person is from $198.00

Package Includes:

Click Here To Book This Package Online!

*Accommodations Are:

Two people in an oceanfront Jasmine Guest Room, Wisteria Mini Suite, Azalea Petite Suite or an Island View Camellia Guest Room.

Optional Add Ons (Available Online):

1) Add a bottle of Champagne to have waiting in your room:

2) Add dinner for two at choice of two nearby restaurants:

Roberto’s Italian Ristorante:

Dinner Includes: Wine and Beer (2 Drinks per person), your choice of Steak, Seafood, or Pasta from The Winds Menu, Salad or Soup, Dessert and Coffee. Reservations available Tuesday through Saturday.

Sharky’s Waterfront Restaurant (overlooking the intra-coastal waterway)

Dinner Includes: Entrees (any menu item), 4 Glasses of House Wine (per two people: 4 people receive 8 Glasses/8 receive 12 Glasses), Salad, Dessert, Non-alcoholic Beverages.

Click Here To Book This Package Online!

Knox recently took 3rd place in the Open Juniors division at the NSSA East Coast Championships and then traveled to California for the NSSA National Championships

As an east coast surfer, Knox broke down barriers at the Nationals. Knox put on an impressive performance placing 3rd in the Open Juniors final in a heavily competitive 64-person field.

His dad Ray Harris made the Open Men’s final at the first ever National Championships way back in 1978.

A photograph of Ray taken at that event hangs on the wall at his restaurant, Sharky’s Waterfront Restaurant.

Third Oldest Yacht Club Built

The island became private property between 1791 and 1841, although it remained uninhabited, visited only by hunters and fishermen.

The area was also popular for sailing, and in 1853, the first structure on the island was built, the clubhouse for the Carolina Yacht Club, which is the third oldest yacht club in the United States. In fact, some of the club members were involved in the Civil War, and blockade runners were active in nearby waters, with three of them supposedly having foundered on the island.

Rail Lines Constructed

Following the war, a turnpike, with a surface of oyster shells, was constructed between Wilmington and Wrightsville Sound, and in 1887 the Wilmington Seacoast Railroad laid tracks from the city to the Hammocks, a piece of land to the west of the beach now known as Harbor Island. A footbridge connected the Hammocks with Wrightsville Beach, and development began to pick up.

Another yacht club, several hotels and some beach cottages were built, and in 1889, the rail line was extended across the Hammocks and Banks Channel to the beach proper, and visitors from Wilmington began to flock to Wrightsville Beach in the summer. In 1899, with only 40 or 50 residents, most of them seasonal, the Town of Wrightsville Beach was incorporated, but unfortunately, later that year a hurricane destroyed it.

Beach Trolley Comes

The town was soon rebuilt, the rail line became an electric trolley in 1902, and by 1907, 8,700 passengers from Wilmington, New York and other cities made their way to the beach on the “Beach Trolley.” Costing $7,000, a significant sum in those days, Lumina was built at the end of the trolley line in 1905. Consisting of 12,500 square feet, Lumina was three floors of activities including bowling alley, dance hall and shooting gallery.

Connected To Wilmington

Lumina was expanded several times, a movie screen was erected 50 feet out in the surf, and in 1910, 600 electric lights were placed on the exterior making it visible for miles. By 1930, the population had grown to 110 residents, but in 1934 a fire destroyed more that 100 cottages and the Oceanic Hotel. Again, the town rebounded and in 1935 a road was built all the way from the mainland to Wrightsville Beach.

Nick Thomas is a little bit of all of us; believable, lovable, tough when need be and sensitive. He is a man who got a second chance at life after hitting bottom and turned his life around.

And life was good, that is until one fateful day the walls of his life came crashing down and he finds himself framed and wanted for the murder of his estranged ex-wife.

Nick has no choice but to go underground and try and find the real killer before the police find him.

Pick up your autographed copy and join Tom’s loyal fans. You won’t be disappointed!

Buy It Here! $14.95