Annual Fall Carolina trip

Earlier in November, I went to visit Nola for our annual get together and scrapbooking fun at the beach.  We are getting pretty good at this.  I usually swing down after a visit to Johns Hopkins but I had to move that appointment because my doctor was out of town.  So this was a much more relaxed and focused trip for me..and I was able to get there a day earlier.  Nola and I decided we would head down to Carolina Beach a day early which is a real treat.

Nola picked up at the airport like clock work.  We swung by her house becasue I wanted to see Heidi and Gregg.  Nola picked up a few more things for the weekend while I visited and brushed Heidi (her cat).  Heidi is the cutest kitty with a swagger and attitude.  She LOVED being brushed and kept her from being shy which is perfect.  We were on the road before we knew it and swung by the brisket place for a bite to eat.  Nola introduced me last time I was out and I thought it was delicious.  It was just as good as I remembered.  Then we myandered to the beach.  Because it was later on a Wednesday, we skipped the regular beach traffic and got there stress free.  We got checked in and set in to relax.  There is just something soothing to me about the ocean.  Seriously why do I live in Utah?? 

It was rainy and a little chilly so we decided to drive down to Fort Fisher to go to the aquarium.  Nola was great at pushing me around and we enjoyed our time looking at fish that are in the area.  Fort Fisher at  the very end of the land on the beach and about 20 minutes from our hotel.

Starfish in the petting pond

Fishies!

We went in the Hurricane booth to see what 75 mph winds was like.
It was intense!

It was a really cool aquarium.  I enjoyed our time there and very glad we went.  A great activity for a rainy day at the beach.  We weren't the only ones that thought that!

We drove to the end of the road to check out the ocean where the ferry takes off.  It was stormy enough that the birds were pretty much parked.

All the "ducks" in a row.

We were able to set up for scrapbooking in the late afternoon.  We had a very small table of supplies compared to others haul they brought.  But we had what we needed and enjoy being more simple in our travels.  In fact, we spent quite a bit of the weekend scrapbooking and I felt very accomplished.

We did take time to go to my favorite place, the Shuckin' Shack.  We had cocktails, shrimp, hushpuppies, and coleslaw.  There are always some "salty sailors" (the regulars) but we find that part of the charm of the place.  We have come to enjoy sitting at the bar because there is more "flare" there.  Haha.

Before I knew it, it was Sunday and time for me to head home.  It is always really sad for me to leave Nola and come back to Utah.  I feel that restless feeling again that I should consider moving to North Carolina.  The good news is Nola plans to come visit for the Christmas holiday so I get to see her in a few weeks.

I was treated to a spectacular sunset when flying home.  I prefer an aisle seat but I was "upgraded" to comfort seating and could only score a window seat (better than middle seat).  I tried to make the best of it and enjoyed seeing the sunset and the lights of cities from the plane.

Looks so pretty

As the sun continued to set, the sky was pink and orange.  Gorgeous

Next year, we won't be able to go to the retreat.  I'm planned to be on a ship in the Panama Canal.  I will miss it but Nola and I will find another time together.