Even though we live in one of the nicest spots this side of the Mississippi (and beyond), sometimes us Wilmingtonians have to fly the coop and recharge. No matter where you live, you just have to make a break and get away from it all whether it’s for a day, a weekend, a week or even longer.
On this particular weekend, I am writing this blog from Topsail Beach, just up the coast from our fair city. The easy 45-minute drive up to the island is trumped only by an even easier 30-minute cruise up the Intracoastal Waterway to our soundside getaway cottage which is a must if you love boating.
You might accuse me of working on vacation. Technically, you’d be right...but this swanky beach cottage not only has every amenity we could think of, but it even has wi-fi. So, I said to myself, “wi” not write this blog as I sit on the porch with the ICWW in the background and wait for yet another pod of porpoise to leisurely pass by? It beats doing it inside at my desk facing the wall!
While most of tend to think of a vacation as including a jet plane, a European destination, exotic fare and people with delicious accents, sometimes, it’s really nice to go on vacation just a few minutes from home. As much as I love a good trip over the pond, diving into those decadent French sauces, and saying things with an accent just for kicks, the travel expense and the time spent doing it is over-the-top. Many of the beaches in our state are just as lovely and relaxing, and are a fraction of the price.
I had a client that purchased a lot on the ICWW from me in Landfall. Standing on the lot, he pointed up the waterway to Figure Eight Island and said he could see his beach house. I asked him why he’d want a beach house so close to where he’d be living full-time. Most people that have beach homes, he told me, have to drive hours to get to their getaway place. His, he continued, was only 15 minutes up the road. “Isn’t that great?” he said. Although most of us couldn’t afford a waterfront home on Figure Eight Island, in theory, I think he might be right. Running up to this beach, or south to the Brunswick County Coast is so convenient and can feel like a true getaway, in your own backyard.
This evening, we walked to grab a pizza, popped into the mini-golf landmark for a few holes, and checked out the old fashioned roller rink that is located upstairs from the Topsail Beach post office. The cutest old woman who runs the place reads her novel while she waits for customers (every night, 7-10). The place is incredible - like something from a 50’s movie, all wood and original. $5 for skating and memories. How could I resist?
If you never venture out of Wilmington, how do you know about all of these great places? But of course we have the very best spot to come home to.