In the few months we’ve being in Raleigh, the single thing I have missed more than anything else is the water. After living by Lake Michigan for years, I have a hard time being away from water. So when our friends decided to take a winter trip to Carolina Beach we were all in. To make it even better all the beach houses are at off-season prices so you could rent the mansion we got for a tenth of the price it would be in the summer. Which makes it an easy and cheap weekend at the beach. It was the perfect thing for our cabin fever from the week of winter/ice storms that hit the southeast.
Not only was it fairly inexpensive to stay out there, but it also is only a 2 hour drive southeast from Raleigh. Part of the reason I am loving living in Raleigh is that we are so close to every type of landscape while still getting all the comforts of a city. Nothing will ever replace Lake Michigan in my heart, but North Carolina is very quickly winning my me!
We arrived at the beach on Saturday and we couldn’t wait to get to the water and wander the shore. We walked down the boardwalk from our cottage to beach and just took some time to really enjoy the world around us.
As we were walking the beach when we got there, I kept thinking about how this body of water in front of us was the same one that lulled us to sleep every night in Cape Town. I thought about how many sunsets had kissed the horizon of this water over the years. I always find these kinds of thoughts not only overwhelming, but also humbling. I had not felt so connected to Cape Town since we left, than in that moment. It left me longing to get back.
The sound of waves is a sound I could take in forever. There is nothing that will calm your soul more than the sound water in motion. The sound of waves will always remain one of my favorite sounds.
Most of our time at the beach was spent simply hanging with friends, wandering the beach for hours, watching the surfers, listening to records, and searching for treasures only the ocean could turn up. I collected far too many things on our walks, but only a few came home. Some of the shells were too amazing to not bring back and find a small place for in our house.
Honestly, even though this weekend was short, a little chilly, exactly opposite of wild, and full of lazy walks, it was exactly what we needed. It is so important to get away once a month, it resets you and makes you appreciate the everyday beauties that become routine. Which is why we started a series about planning a little trip like this once a month. Walking away we spent very little and probably less than we would have if we had stayed in the city for the weekend. Just 36 hours was all we needed to change our perspective and push the restart button.
I think the thing to remember is that we all have 36 hours. We all have a few days off a month we can pull away and find time to explore the world around us. Even if it is simply renting a small place in the woods or taking some time for yourself or with family. Create your own Wild Weekend and your own adventure that will be sure to lift your spirits each month. It will help you to remember how important it is to explore and make time for the things that really matter.
What do y’all have planned this weekend? Have you been dreaming of a little trip like this? What is holding you back from just going for a night because I think you should just go for it.
Happy Thursday friends!
