Carolina Beach Courtesy of Friends

Holly and I had the opportunity to stay at Debra and Sherry's new condo on the spit at Carolina Beach. They had offered some time ago, but we weren't sure when or if we'd have the chance to take them up on their offer. This week they are all gone to the mtns outside of Boone with Debra's family, and we took them up on their offer.

Friday night we headed down to the beach, which is just outside of Wilmington, arriving just as the sun was going down. We managed to find a local pizza joint for dinner after we got all of the bags settled from the car to the condo. Their condo is pretty amazing. It sits right on the spit with a view of the ocean out the back and the soundside or marina out the front. Both sides have decks, but we really liked the top deck on the front on the house where we could see the sound, more birds, and all the slow moving boats. Their condo is quite large with essentially 2 master suites, one on the first floor with the other 2 bedrooms and one on the second floor with the main living room-dining room-kitchen combination. We stayed on the second story since the views were so spectacular out the gigantic living room windows that faced all sides of the sound.

Saturday we walked down to try the famous donuts from Britt's, which has been at the boardwalk since 1939. It was pretty warm and muggy Saturday so we didn't do any formal exercise except our 2 mile walk to see downtown. We headed for the beach in the morning and then did a tour of Fort Fisher in the afternoon. It was blazes hot by then but with a nice cool breeze. Neat to see all the bunkers that were supposed to protect the confederate troops in 1864 from the Union army that was trying to capture the Cape Fear River and shut off the port of Wilmington (they succeeded eventually). We also visited the Aquarium there at Fort Fisher even though there was only an hour until it closed for the day.

In the early evening, we sat on the deck of the condo overlooking the sound for a bit before heading to downtown Wilmington for dinner. There were plenty of other people doing the same thing, as well as walking ghost tours and just general bar hopping. I guess Wilmington has become more of a destination than it used to be; it sure is busy at 10pm in the nightlife district.

Sunday we walked again first thing then headed back to the beach to soak in the rays and surf. Sunday the air was much cooler and far less humid than Saturday. It was really nice. The water felt great. Cool at first but then so comfortable. And there were far fewer people on the beach with us. A great day to be there.

We have been very blessed the last two w-e's with trips to the beach courtesy of our generous friends. I know that we'll be able to carry that feeling and fun into this next week in the hospital. I really do appreciate the generosity of our pals who have shared their places and friendship in such wonderful ways. Thank you all.

Photo is the sound area where the ferry takes off from Fort Fisher headed for Southport.