Back from the Beach

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Back from the Beach

Well, I'm back. Vacation is over, but man was it glorious! We spent 8 days in Atlantic Beach, NC. We've been going for four years straight, and this was our best trip yet. We always go for a long weekend with a few other couples from college (Boiler Up!) All are my husband's fraternity brothers, but we wives are just a close. This year we decided to tack on the remaining week and rented a beach house with my husband's family. It was a killer house just off the water, and everyone had a great time. I think we'll be renting the same house again next year.

Must-Do/See when at the Crystal Coast:
1. Go antiquing! There are so many great antique stores in Morehead City and Beaufort. My favorite find was five decades-old nautical maps of the Carolina Coasts for only $1 each. I'm going to get them custom framed and hang on my wall. Someday they'll go in my (someday) beach house!
2. Visit downtown Beaufort: it's like being in Portland, Maine, but you're right here in Carolina.
3. Go on a sunset catamaran cruise in Beaufort. We've done this several times on Carribbean/Hawaiian vacations, but never with our family. It was just as fun!
4. Visit the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Our kids had a blast! It's just slightly smaller than Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC, so it's very easy to get in and out in 90-120 minutes.
5. Go to the movies: my husband and I went to see Eclipse {Team Edward} and had a great date complete with popcorn/pop for under $20.
6. Fly kites at sunset. The tide is really low but the winds are high. So fun!
7. Take the Jeep (if you have one.) I give my hubby lots of grief over his tricked out Sahara Wrangler, but it was so much fun for all!

Here are a few family pics: