Life in the tangle.
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 checked out Kure Beach and Fort Fisher, we parked on a residential street in Wilmington and walked along Market Street to the city’s Historic Downtown district. It was beautiful. Enormous southern mansions and elaborate cathedrals lined the streets, punctuated by statues venerating Civil War heroes. At the end of Market Street sat the Riverwalk, along the Cape Fear River. That general area housed a multitude of interesting shops and cafes, and of course, plenty of touristy places. Lots of photo opportunities. Continue reading “Road Trip 2017: Historic Downtown 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”