where to see alligators in north carolina

CoastalReview.org is an award-winning, nonprofit news service providing unbiased, in-depth and investigative reporting about issues on the North Carolina coast. Bear Road is a dirt road and had deteriorated since our last visit - there's been a lot of rain. This is the eighth of 12 Things You Should Know about Alligators . You can see alligators in the Alligator River, Milltail Creek, Sawyer Lake, and in the border canals that line Highway 64/264 in Manns Harbor and Stumpy Point! Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. We will bring meals and make a day of it. Located near the Atlantic coast in eastern North Carolina, Alligator River is a 20-30 minute drive from the Outer Banks, depending on which island you're coming from. Any camping nearby and when is a good time of year for birdwatching? American alligators are one of only three crocodilians in North America (the others being the American crocodile and the caiman, albeit in small numbers). The tour consists of two segments: 1) A presentation, where the refuge interns will teach you about what makes the Alligator River Refuge such a good home for black bears. Mama alligators are especially watchful when they are guarding their newly hatched young, as they will be in May. Their range extends down to southern Florida and includes the Everglades. The timber rattlesnake, eastern diamond back, and pigmy are the three types of rattlesnakes found in North Carolina. I spent hours going back and forth and all around and all I got to see were turtles basking and a snake almost cross the road. 1. Pete Joyce, a firefighter and paramedic, said he was. Unpaved roads, bear sightings, peaceful & quiet place! Get answers to your questions about Charleston, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g54403-d1367802-Reviews-Caw_Caw_Interpretive_Center-Ravenel_South_Carolina.html. They live in warm ocean waters, and travel in groups of up to 1,000. Pictured above, this photo began to circulate around North Carolina as an actual black panther/cougar sighting throughout the state. Washington Park residents submitted a video to the Washington Daily News of an alligator swimming close to their pier at around 5:30 p.m. Monday evening (May 23). Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. But this summer, the gators' presence has become more pronounced. Make sure to stay on the roads at least when snakes can be present because they are there - lots of water moccasins! The entries in this project are in no particular order, and well add to them each week. Discover Why Alligators Wont Cross Georgias Fall Line, Huge Florida Gator Eats a Smaller Florida Gator in Most Florida Video Ever, Discover the Biggest Alligator Ever Found in North Carolina. The reptiles are found mostly in a diverse series of habitats along the Coastal Plain, including tidal marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes, Clemson University officials said in a report. You can find black bears in the mountain region of western North Carolina and the coastal swamplands of the eastern part of the state. I'd love to see some alligators and swamps. This is to prevent the illegal trade in the hide of endangered reptiles that are similar in appearance. #16 in Best Places to Visit in the Carolinas. ABC 15. I got to see the rare endangered wild Red Wolf pack members. Maybe that is what happened in a case of a June 2022 alligator attack in Myrtle Beach. Caw Caw County Park on Highway 17 (Savannah Highway). Diet How can you tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? It took nearly a week to remove the reptile from the park, which was partially shut down during the search for the animal. A crown jewel of the east coast, the national seashore boasts sandy beaches, oceanfront views, lighthouses, and more. It hasnt been reported exactly how many man-o-war have washed up throughout the years, but, in one year alone, 20-30 were found on Corolla Beach. The gator proceeded to waddle into the kitchen and destroy four bottles of good wine before being safely removed from the home by professionals. Alligator.However, the Outer Banks is still home to the American Alligator.Alligators inhabit areas north of the refuge and in some of our waterways. You can also find them as far west as the southern tip of Texas. If you enjoy our content and want to support Travel For Wildlife, please visit our shop Truly Wild. I want to go first week of November. All in all, it's a lovely place at dusk. Black bears are a tad bit friendlier than say, a brown bear, but they still should not be 'messed' with. Its important to note that North Carolina is at the northern end of the American alligators range. I've never been here and not seen at least 5 gators: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g54403-d1367802-Reviews-Caw_Caw_Interpretive_Center-Ravenel_South_Carolina.html. Unfortunately, this alligator wasnt caught by a hunting party, it had to be put down because it ate a womans dog. Thank you! When you think about alligators, the states of Florida and Louisiana may come to mind. Meet at Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking lot prior to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays (June through August only). I'm not sure about November as winter is approaching the bears may be out for their last feedings. They also live in swamps, marshes and lakes.. Authorities searching for gator after man's body found with bite marks on Kiawah Island, Woman finds alligators in surf at North Topsail Beach, Keep your pets on a leash, and make sure they don't swim, drink or exercise near water where alligators have been spotted, Don't leave young children unattended near bodies of water, Be careful around waters during dusk and dawn, when alligators are most active, Don't approach an alligator, no matter its size. Swarms of man-o-wars are clearly whats to be most feared of these creatures and also, quite possibly, how they got their rep as one of the scariest not jellyfish in the sea and some of the most dangerous animals in North Carolina. We stopped at the usual place near Bear Road - accessible from Borrow Pit Road off 264 or Mittail Road off of 64. After a struggle they were able to pull the gator to the boat where they killed it. Each year, the Wildlife Commission receives lots of calls from new and lifelong residents, as well as visitors, who are surprised to see alligators in coastal neighborhood ponds and ditches in the spring and summer months," said Alicia Davis, the Wildlife Commission's alligator biologist. The kiosk on Milltail Rd was out of maps so we followed the signs. We would love to see tigers and all the magnificent Indian wildlife. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. They are large meat-eating reptiles that are capable of killing humans. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. There are two half-mile, universally accessible. The American alligator is a large, semi-aquatic, armored reptile that is related to crocodiles. If bitten, medical attention must be sought immediately. Neither did I. Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. An average alligator is 10-12 feet long when fully grown. Animal Control officers helped remove the animal from the lake and brought it to a wildlife rescue center. In captivity, alligators often live longer, up to 70 years or more. Crocodiles generally are 10 to 20 feet long and weigh 300 to 2,000 pounds. The American alligator lives in the southern United States, from North Carolina to Texas, according to the Smithsonian Zoo. As temperatures dipped along the U.S. East Coast, alligators at a sanctuary park in North Carolina figured out a cute way to survive in their icy homes: They poked their noses out of the water as . The video can be viewed at www.thewashingtondailynews.com. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. Park rangers advised that if people gave the alligator space, it likely wouldnt bother them. Black widows are found throughout the state, but more notably in the eastern region. Here, you can take a self-guided walk through the boardwalk . To an alligator, meat is meat, meaning, your leg could be considered dinner or dessert. Bear mugs, bear t-shirts, roadside motels with bears on their signs, black bear this, black bear that. We went in April and just kept driving the Roads and eventually saw 6 black bears, 2 coyotes, and 2 ottersbut all our sightings were at dawn or dusk. Since 2020, only one person has been attacked and killed by an alligator. In May you might have a good chance to see them sunning themselves, before the summer heat really sets in. So, try to imagine 1,000 stings all at once. If you've never before noticed the length of some turtles' claws, look at these! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Any suggestions for our trip would be appreciated. The refuge was established in 1984 to protect the rare pocosin wetlands and their associated wildlife. It is a large swamp with a board walk thru it ~ many opportunities to see birds, aligators, etc. Hotels near North Carolina Wesleyan College, Things to do near Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Tours and Tickets, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Manns Harbor, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge: Tickets & Tours, Sonoma Valley Electric Tricycle Rental and Tour, 2 Hour Joyride Private Party Bus Experience in Nashville (up to 35 guests), Gozo Tuk Tuk Chauffered Tour w/crossing & return by Yippee Island Hopper boat, Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide, Authentic Mexican hands-on Cooking Class and Market Tour, Looking for the Howler Monkey in Beards - Bremen, See all 2 Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge tours on Tripadvisor. Short walk, worth doing. Please consult the information below to see current closures. (See video clip below). We checked there were none creeping up behind us and started taking photos and video. On June 28, 2022, in Leland, NC a homeowner found an alligator swimming in their backyard pool. This. Carol Woollery, of Boiling Spring Lakes, had been running an errand with her daughter when . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Most shark species that inhabit the Atlantic Ocean will, at some point, swim past the North Carolina coast, usually when waters are a bit warm. We did see some interesting wildlife though no bears. Top ways to experience Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and nearby attractions Full-Day Private Tour to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge 2 Full-day Tours from $1,000.00 per group (up to 3) Alligator River Kayak Adventure 34 Recommended Adventure Tours from $59.00 per adult 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD 747 Recommended Wildlife officials are warning North Carolina residents that they could see alligators this summer, and not to panic. A great way to learn more about black bears at the refuge is to take the Black Bear Necessities Tour. The other two cubs followed while their mother looked on. 'Sightings,' like pictured above are still reported. The largest alligator ever found in North Carolina was a 635-pound alligator that was hit by a car in Manns Harbor in May 2014. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Francis Marion hotel - what's the real deal? About once a year you will see a news report of an alligator being removed from one of the Brunswick County beaches. Fri, Mar 03, 2023 LOGIN Subscribe for $1 There were four fully grown bears one of them had three tiny cubs with her. Get more stories delivered right to your email. You could easily spend hours here driving around taking in all that this serene environment has to offer. is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Whatever it is, tell us; we want to know! Davis says people should stay the length of a school bus away from a small alligator and double that for adult alligators. It didnt take the officers too long to find the alligator and authorities reported that they did find remains of the husky inside the gator. Have some feedback for us? Yes, there is an alligator hunting season in South Carolina. Another large alligator found in North Carolina was a 12-foot long alligator found in Jacksonville, NC in July 2013. Know of any other deadly animals in North Carolina? The man-of-war is commonly mistaken for jellyfish. American alligators can be found in the coastal wetlands of the U.S. Southeast, as far north as North Carolina and as far west as eastern Texas. Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA), Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation, Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation, Current Road Conditions at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Learn more about national wildlife refuge, Tearsheet Map Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Alligator River and Pea Island NWR Interpretive Program Schedule, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Regulations & Permit, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Bird List, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Venture to the Dare County mainland to the refuge's popular, Want to take a leisurely stroll? Not a small dog, like a little Yorkie or Chihuahua, but an 80-pound husky! (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? For more outdoor fun in North Carolina, check out these 11 Epic Outdoorsy Things Anyone In North Carolina Can Do. Ben P is so right about Caw Caw Interpretive center. The alligator was safely removed with help from a Florida alligator expert Chicago brought in to advise on the odd situation. The alligator was headed toward Haven's Garden, the residents said. Find that perfect souvenir to remember your special visit to the Aquarium at our gift shop run by the North Carolina Aquarium Society. This tour runs from June to August, every Wednesday from 5:30pm to 7pm. As you go through Jacksonboro on Hiway 17, there's a small parking lot on the right for the Edisto River Nature Trail. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We saw a large flock of Tundra Swans and a heron. Although they are primarily freshwater animals, alligators will also venture into brackish salt water. Authorities remind people to never feed alligators because then they can get used to humans and lose their natural fear. Authorities are unsure how the gator go into the woods, but believe the reptile could be a former pet. While theyve been spotted as far north as the Great Dismal Swamp, alligators generally dont live in Virginia. Massive alligator takes casual stroll through South Carolina golf course 97% of travelers recommend this experience. The highest populations of alligators are found in Florida and Louisiana. Several species of shark are found off the coast of North Carolina. Find out more about where alligators live in North America here. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Ever encountered any dangerous wildlife in North Carolina? Are there alligators in North Carolina? If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Beautiful place. Sharks will sometimes wander into sounds and estuaries, but mainly just to feed or migrate. The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP). Where is the best place to see alligators in Florida? There is a little-known place on the coast of North Carolina that is one of the best black bear viewing areas in the world. Tyrrell County is included in the Kill Devil Hills, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also . An increased number of gator sightings are common as alligators typically mate from mid-May to early-July in North Carolina. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There is a 152,000 acre wildlife refuge, the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge where researchers are studying the alligator population. Do keep your distance! As we head towards the end of the year, it's not uncommon to look back over the past, maybe even wish for warmer days. Females and juveniles occasionally use seasonal wetlands, such as Carolina Bays. In 2018, the number of permits only amounted to 20. They are looking for food and mates after spending the winter in brumationa long period in which they don't eat and seldom come out of their dens. In 2018, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission announced that it would allow limited hunting of alligators in North Carolina. If we hadnt taken this tour we would have never seen these three cute little guys running like crazy. Alligators are in the swamps, near water features on golf courses, in ponds behind family homes, and in lagoons at resorts. Police in the coastal city of Wilmington, North Carolina, say an "unexpected visitor" forced roads. Unlike many animals, alligators do not show signs of biological aging, but simply grow in size over the years. where is this actually located? The police and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources are still looking into the details of the accident. Spotting an alligator as it goes about its daily "business" of sunning, napping, and cruising is always exciting; but, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE! But the sign for the refuge is so nondescript that if you blink you miss it and the opportunity to see the bears! Police in North Carolina shared the humorous image online after they managed to capture an alligator that had been casually strolling through the neighborhood. The black widow isnt the only dangerous spider in the state. Wildlife officials say that people should avoid feeding animals that live on the water with alligators like ducks, geese, fish and turtles. Gift shop is available with an Aquarium visit. The alligators are wild and powerful. The Alligator River NWR is the OBX's best kept secret. But, every so often, it is possible that an alligator might make its way to the ocean. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Black bear by the road in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, NC. The refuge also protects swamp forest and is fringed with marsh. They thrive in NC swamps, rivers, canals, tidal basins, and even ponds and lakes along the coastline and eastern inland regions. Of course, shark attacks are nothing new to us, being made especially popular through television and film. The Horry County Fire Rescuewas called in but it was too late and the man was killed during the incident. Seeing it again they followed it and dropped their lines. You can see the alligators all over the southern states from mid-Texas all the way to North Carolina. Love North Carolina? Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. Alligators typically live around 30 to 50 years in the wild. The landfill off of Hwy 264 is a good spot, but it closes at 5:00 pm. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-48113899', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Nashville in May with an overnight in Ashville on our way to 3 nights in Charleston, then on to Savanah for 2 nights. The experts, who believe the animal is a former pet, drained the pond and caught the gator in the shallow water left over. Yes although it is not very scenic - mostly farmland bordered by woods. The alligator has since been relocated to a remote area in southeastern North Carolina. The refuge was on our to do list when we were on the Outer Banks in hopes we would see some different varieties of wild life. One such place is Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Alligators continue growing throughout their lives, so the largest individuals are often very advanced in age. Guess what? POPULATION There are approximately 200,000-250,000 alligators in the state of Georgia. The most common species of shark found are blacknose sharks, sand tiger and sandbar sharks, scalloped hammerheads, and the tiger sharkwhich is the largest and most potentially dangerous, making it among the most feared of all predators in North Carolina. We also saw a family of Killdeer in a furrow in the field next to the road. That being said, it is a very peaceful and quiet place. African American history/Gullah tours? Alligator, North Carolina, is marked with the red dot on this Google Maps image. WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. ( WNCN) - A North Carolina family was stunned to see an alligator in the surf at one of their favorite beaches. Unless there is something specific that you might want to see in the Fall migration, then spring will have the most action birdwise. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-48127581', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Middleton Place has both. The interest in exotic pet ownership is likely responsible. We stopped for moments all along the way. Alligators can also killed by other gators. When it is sunny you can safely see them sunnying themselves. . A complete map of the refuge can be found in the Refuge Tearsheet. more. On October 5, 2019, day 5 of their hunt, they located a large gator that they thought was at least 12 feet. Due to its size and proximity to humans they did not want to relocate. A cool covey of quail (15), also known as Northern bobwhite are shown here on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. A 3 ft (0.9 m) long alligator with a collar was seen wandering down a street in Brockton, Mass. The American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis) is the only crocodilian native to South Carolina. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to see alligators, Alligator Adventure lets you see these majestic creatures in captivity. Once in awhile a snow bunting shows up on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and recently was one of those times. Feeding/Diet: Alligators have a varied diet, feeding on turtles . On June 5, 2022 a woman looking for a place to spend the day at a beach in Fort Fisher came across a 5-foot alligator sunning itself in the sand. An enormous 11-foot alligator terrorized a North Carolina family as it took up residence in their pond. Good luck, hope you see something. If you need to report an instance of someone poaching, harming, harassing or intentionally feeding alligators, call the Wildlife Commissions Enforcement hotline at 1-800-662-7137. Unfortunately for my visit no such luck. The vast protected area supports large populations of black bear, wintering waterfowl, river otter, and other wildlife species. Crocodiles can be found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. In 2008, a 6-foot American crocodile made a rare appearance outside Florida -- at South Carolina's Isle of Palms, a common spot for vacationing . We go there about twice a year. Because thats the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. Pocosin wetlands grow on thick layers of peat and have stunted, shrubby vegetation. For wildlife photographers, there are great photographic opportunities if you have patience and good equipment. Huntington Beach State Park. More than six months later, with the storm season looming, nothing appears to have changed, except that the land has finally dried out, said Michael Combs, one of the meeting organizers. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. September 2019 in Temperance, Michigan: A 3-foot alligator made a surprise appearance in the a pond behind Bedford Junior High School. Yet, it still doesn't disperse the 'big cat mystery' that has been witnessed, and photographed throughout the state. North Carolina alligators are rarely a threat. There are a very limited amount of hunting permits issued each year to hunt alligators. If you simply leave an alligator alone, it will eventually move on in a few hours or days. There is a little-known place on the coast of North Carolina that is one of the best black bear viewing areas in the world. I love seeing bears around here. There were a total of seven bears in the field just in front of us. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango". We didn't camp, because there are tons of places to stay from very inexpensive to luxury along the outer banks. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We went near dusk, hoping to see a bear, even though winter isnt a good time for that. Their home turf runs approximately from Lake Marion, near the Congaree National Park, to the historic abandoned rice fields along the coast, between the Santee River in Georgetown and the ACE Basin. The park contains one of the states rarest ecological communities. After spending a couple hours driving through the refuge, the only wildlife we saw were a number of turtles sunning themselves and one pretty duck who disappeared as we got closer. Frequently found in canals, streams, and rivers in the eastern region of the sate, alligators are a silent force to be feared. Researched and written by our staff writer who enjoys contributing about their state for our site. Black bears, red wolves (if you are very lucky), white-tailed deer, river otters, owls, nutrias, dolphinsso much! Just one single sting from a man-o-war is excruciatingly painful to a human. But oh well, there's always next year, right? The highest populations of alligators are found in Florida and Louisiana. Frequently found in canals, streams, and rivers in the eastern region of the sate, alligators are a silent force to be feared. alligators do not hang around and become a problem, refrain from feeding them. national wildlife refuge This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. A person has died following an alligator attack near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to Horry County Deputy Coroner Michelle McSpadden.https://t.co/oJWF8Z1pVE. Copperheads are found throughout the state. First thing I want to say is that ALL the roads in the entire refuge are gravel, nothing is paved! Where can you see alligators in SC? Take your time, keep your eyes peeled, because the bears may not be on the road or even right next to the road. We saw lots of bears crossing - some lots closer than others. How to Go on an African Wildlife Safari in Kruger (for less than $700). The American alligator, found in the southeastern US, may be found in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. What are the best little known attractions in North Carolina? Alligators in South Carolina. Because of its more northerly latitude, North Carolina alligators generally dont reach the same size as in Florida or other states with warmer weather that better suits these cold-blooded reptiles. July 2019 in East Lyme, Connecticut: Officials responded to a reported alligator sighting in East Lymes Powers Lake. A woman from Ayden, North Carolina told WRAL News she was shocked to find alligators on the beach on Saturday. Reasonably unassuming, alligators can become aggressive and defensive upon approach and are known to attack humans. Gators are going to be pretty much hit or miss in the wild, they don't run on any particular schedule that we humans can rely upon, so you might want to visit a place where you're fairly well assured to at least see some in the water http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/swamp_garden.html. In Georgia, they typically live along and south of the fall line (which roughly City officials in Havelock, located. If you want a 100% chance of seeing one, go check out the SC Aquarium, they even have a albino one! Learn more about national wildlife refuge This tour is one of several guided interpretive tours offered by the Refuge. This area is supposed to be too far north for alligators, but they have been spotted in the millpond for several years. We receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Albemarle Peninsula in eastern North Carolina. OAK ISLAND, NC (WECT) - Oak Island police say they have been getting several calls this week about alligator sightings in the area. Print out a map from the ARWR website so you can find it because the address is the Visitor's Center which is closed due to covid and it is not even in the vicinity! Cottonmouths are found primarily in the eastern region of the state - in swamps, lakes, rivers, and bodies of water. The main attraction is the wildlife seen at dawn and dusk from spring - fall. This venomous snake prefers its home to be in wooden areas surrounded by rocks or by a stream. It was estimated that the alligator was around 10-feet long. Half of rattlesnake bites occur out of accident, mainly someone stepping on the snake. At various times over the years, the venomous, Portuguese man-o-war has washed up on the shores of North Carolinas beaches, and thats just one of the dangerous animals in North Carolina. While daylight use only is specified, there arent any kind of gates or anything to prevent other usage. Alligators are a few feet longer than that! 2) The Wildlife Drive. It is such an incredible place! Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge I believe so, only weather would possibly create an issue. But it is a lovely area to sit and watch the sunset.