Life in the tangle.
With the placid waters of Crandon Park in our minds, we set out for Key Largo. We imagined beaches of white sand and azure water, something like the Bahamas.
Instead, we found small, rocky beaches couched between banks of mangroves. Continue reading “Road Trip 2017: Key Largo, FL”
In my post about One Tree Hill Sites in Wilmington, I mentioned that we met a man walking his dog outside of “Peyton’s” house. I didn’t tell the whole story about him. I won’t tell it now, either, but I will share the advice he gave us about Charleston. Continue reading “Road Trip 2017: Charleston, SC”
The two best things about Myrtle Beach were 1) fossilized shark teeth and 2) two-dimensional Paula Deen.
The transition from Wilmington to Myrtle Beach was rough. Continue reading “Road Trip 2017: Myrtle Beach, SC”
Successful relationships involve compromise. One such compromise we’ve made on this trip revolves around Melissa’s love for One Tree Hill. Continue reading “Road Trip 2017: One Tree Hill Sites in Wilmington, NC”
Our second day in Wilmington was overcast, with impending rain later in the day, so we headed to a spot repeatedly recommended by locals: Airlie Gardens. It reminded us of Longwood Gardens back home, but with less human traffic and more Southern charm. The grounds were shaped as a private garden in the late 1800s for the Pembroke Jones family, who lived in Airlie Manson at the time. That mansion no longer exists; in its place sits a picturesque landscape of the South’s subtropical foliage. Continue reading “Road Trip 2017: Airlie Gardens, Wilmington, NC”
After we spent some time on Kure Beach, we went further south toward Fort Fisher, following the recommendation of our Airbnb host, Marsha. When we arrived at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, it was hot. Fry-your-eyes-in-your-skull hot. So we went into the visitor center to cool off and learn about the fort, which we discovered originated in the American Civil War but also played an important part in later U.S. wartime efforts. Being almost totally ignorant of the details of the Civil War (Over slavery? States’ rights?), we learned a lot. Continue reading “Road Trip 2017: Fort Fisher, Wilmington, NC”
During our stay in Wilmington, NC, we visited Kure and Wrightsville beaches. Both were beautiful, but they had their differences. Kure Beach, to the south of Carolina Beach, was less developed and had a small beach town feel. The sand was coarser there than at Wrightsville beach, which sported white, powdery sand that felt great on our tired feet. Wrightsville Beach area, to the east of Wilmington, was more developed and commercialized, with high rise hotels and loads of restaurants. The water at both beaches was warm, and neither were crowded. Our time here got us pumped to experience the beaches in Florida! Continue reading “Road Trip 2017: Beaches of Wilmington, NC”
After our stint in Washington, D.C., we stopped in Alexandria, VA. We found a quaint town with traces of its history visible everywhere. Beautiful houses and unique cafes lined the Old Town area, where we walked around in the blistering heat for a while. We spent a good chunk of time at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which is a WWI-era Navy munitions factory converted into a hip studio and shop space for artists. In addition to hosting the Art Center, the Potomac River Waterfront area featured multiple restaurants and a fleet of docked boats. It’s our first choice for exploration next time we visit. Continue reading “Road Trip 2017: Pit Stop in Alexandria, VA”
Washington, D.C. was the first stop on our road trip from Pennsylvania to Florida. It was a great time. On the first night we checked out Capitol Hill and happened upon my cousin Sage–she’s from Texas! Continue reading “Road Trip 2017: Washington, D.C.”