More weekend fun

So I have discovered a new use for the blog. Aside from keeping my readers (a.k.a. my parents) updated on what is happening in our lives, it also provides me with an excuse to procrastinate. My usual procrastination options include eating (i.e. "I can't work, it's time for lunch" or "Maybe a snack and then I'll do something"); checking Facebook ("I need to know what people are up to"); checking email, and there is usually plenty of that; and, well, that's about it.

(Just as a side note, from the time I started the previous sentence and wrote this sentence, 25 minutes passed. In that time, I checked email--every time it dings I feel drawn to look at it--might be a Pavlovian response, wrote a paragraph on a paper, read about an upcoming academic conference I will be attending, and checked Facebook. I somehow let my procrastination get away from me!).

Anyway, back on track. I am writing this post to avoid working on a paper/presentation that I have tomorrow. It will all get done (it always does) but writing this gives me a bit of a break. I wanted to share with you some more of our experiences at the coast.

After driving out on Friday and spending the evening relaxing, we got up Saturday planning to find excitement. We talked about going to the aquarium, driving to a stretch of beach with wild horses, or finding some great food. Instead, we settled on walking down to the local St. Patrick's Day festival, which was just down the street.

It was a good thing we decided to walk there. Cars lined not only the streets, but also the medians. We had no idea that this event was so large. For a town of less than 4000, it seemed like a very large crowd. The festival was great. It was 80 plus degrees outside. There were a number of vendors. They had music and food. They even had rides. Below are some pictures of the group playing the bagpipes at the festival.

We spent more than an hour walking around the vendor booths and local shops. We found a few things--tea towels, a UNC bandana for Bella, and a few prints to frame--but overall we just enjoying walking around and being outside with all the excitement.

After that, we went back to the condo and spent some time sitting on the beach. We watched dolphins playing out there. Unfortunately, I didn't get any good pictures of the dolphins, but here are some pictures of us enjoying the beach. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon alternating between watching television while working and walking on the beach. I think I picked up seashells every time we were down there (we now have a bowl full of shells on our kitchen table).

We finished up the evening by walking to a nearby Mexican restaurant and ordering Monster Margaritas. Since it was still nice out after dinner and we were incredibly full, we walked around the houses down by the beach. The houses were huge. Many of them were three stories, and one beige house I found had a beautiful deck and teal front door. I told Shawn that house was obviously meant for me. Maybe it will serve as an idea for a future birthday present. :-)

Overall, it was a great way to spend a birthday. 

A trip to the coast

Shawn and I spent the weekend in Emerald Isle, a small coastal town along the Atlantic Ocean. Emerald Isle is toward the south part of the NC coast. The area is called the Crystal Coast.



We drove over Friday afternoon. The drive only took about 3.5 hours, but we are out of practice with long drives so it felt longer than it really was. The weather was wonderful--70s and sunny.

First, we spent some time enjoying the view from the deck.

We then went down to the beach and took a walk. I managed to pick up a handful of seashells along the way, and I even got Shawn to stop for a picture--never an easy feat!

More on our trip to come in the following days!