I love to keep a journal of our trips. So often, we will return to my blog to research events and places and go down memory lane. My daily journal writing while away has been my spiritual growth. Hyperlinks are included if you want to explore the area.

July 1, Saturday

This was a travel day. We left around 1:00 because we had some things to do that morning. We were not in a hurry, and the slow pace was refreshing. We packed a little lighter because we could not bike ride or do a lot of beach activities due to my husband’s surgery on his knee.

Valentina and Drake were ahead of us and picked up the key from the realtor. When we arrived and unpacked the car, we decided to live on the food we had brought for a few days and wait to grocery shop. We went to dinner that night at Blue Cow Grill. For a busy holiday week, this place had available tables, and the service was excellent. I had the Cobb salad, and I loved it! It was next to local shops, and within walking distance of the house we were staying in. Oh! Let me tell you where we stayed! We stayed at the most impressive historical home called “Mad River Cottage.” The home’s historical name is “Lee B. Aldridge Cottage Circa 1903.”  The décor was coastal living. We felt right at home. The place had everything you needed, including good wifi.

July 2, Sunday

Valentina and I went to stretch yoga at Rebel Soul Yoga. WOW! The space was healing, and the session was just what my body needed. The stretching helped me unwind and loosen up my muscles. We left there to have breakfast with the rest of the crew and then headed to the first day of the farmer’s market! Southport also has yoga on the pier each morning at 9:00!

This market is filled with vendors from all over the U.S. and features anything from fresh produce to furniture! I found the best gift for my mom, which I will write about later. Due to Parish’s surgery, he had to cut his wedding band off his finger. We found a vendor selling surgical, stainless steel rings that could pass for a wedding band. For 25.00 dollars, we renewed our vows, and I yelled, “He said yes!” We even had a quick photo shoot.

It was great to purchase fresh goods to cook with for the week, including homemade bread!

We left there and headed to the Yacht Basin. We stopped at Fishy Fishy Cafe to eat shrimp and tropical drinks! We walked home the long way and found a band playing. We danced on the lawn to the song “Tennessee Whisky.” We hung up with Valentina and Drake at the house to play games and laugh. Play the funky-tasting jelly bean game Bean Boozled. If you want to be totally grossed out. Barf really tastes like barf. And, if you want to be shocked and amazed, play Telestrations. Whew! Not for the weak at heart.

July 3, Monday

Parish and I bought artisan coffee mugs to use for coffee time. His clay came from the Appalachian Mountains, and his work was influenced by the Colonial style. I got up early that morning to run/walk. What a morning of freedom, fun, and getting to know some folks. I met Latisha, who lived on the main street of Southport. I asked her about all the chairs set up, and she stated that folks are putting up chairs ahead of time to “claim their spot for the parade.”. She also informed me that we did not have to do this. It was a little too much. I laughed. She was cleaning her front porch, and she spoke of Southport fondly, noting that she grew up in Southport and “this was her family home.”  “Southport has changed. It used to be like the Town of Mayberry, and now it’s becoming more commercialized.” I said she should write a book. She exclaimed that she was considering it and wanted to write.

Once I returned, we spent most of the morning on the porch. We would listen to the “Pray as you go” app together. I would journal. We saw a sign that said “open mic night” at a local Tiki Café. We sang most of the morning and decided that all the songs would be on our set list for future use, but we narrowed it down to one song, “What’s Up” by 4 Non-Blondes.

We went grocery shopping for the week. They have a Walmart 1.6 miles away.

We headed home to put the items away, and then I went to my “spa day.” I had a fantastic massage, foot soak, and reflexology for my feet. The place was called Southport Massage and Foot Retreat. I loved hearing his story about how he started his business after military service and how his family came to settle in Southport. He also shared his 4th of July traditions, which sounded amazing! He also cooks! “A seafood feast with yard games!” It was an all-day event for him, and he invited families to join them. Right beside the massage place is a unique and beautiful garden shop.

I had never had reflexology done on my feet. It was surprisingly very therapeutic and emotional.

We returned to Fishy Fishy and had nachos and crab cakes for dinner. The crab cakes were a little spicy. The nachos are perfect!

July 4, Tuesday

Happy 4^th of July! We took Latisha’s advice. We had a lazy morning and showed up to the parade at 10:15. It starts at 11:00. We found the perfect spot under a Yaupon tree that provided shade. The best part was that we also sat in front of the small café and ice cream shop, Haven! What a unique, fun Italian vibe! We got breakfast and some beverages. We met an Italian family, talked about an upcoming trip, and practiced our Italian.

The parade was filled with local businesses, children from their perspectives, schools, and hobbies.

After the parade, we went home to cool off, regroup, and hang out. Later that evening, we returned to the water at Southport to watch the fireworks. The Lambs and Vivian and her family could not make it this year, so I loved getting pictures of their fun week.

July 5, Wednesday

Parish and I woke up, fixed a picnic breakfast, and headed to Oak Island. We parked at Settlers Rd. Beach access. Be ready to pay for parking using your phone and QR code. This proved to be accessible and not too crowded. We stayed for about 1 ½ hours and then headed to a favorite spot called Koko Cabana. We went by the house we stayed at last year.

Later that evening, we went to Fishy Fishy for an early dinner with Drake and Valentina. The dinner was delicious, and although it rained, you could still sit outside and enjoy the water because they had a covering on the pier. I got the “award-winning seafood chowder”; yes, it was “award-winning!”

Parish and I then went to the Tiki Tavern for open mic night. There was a band there who invited folks to sing with them, and they would share the mic space! We stayed for about 2 hours. They were the most encouraging and caring folks. They wanted to share the gift of music while also teaching you. One man was on a harmonica transposed into organ sounds with a special mic attachment. We helped him sing the chorus of his song, “Breathe in, Breathe out.” Parish played his guitar.

We came home to Valentina and Drake making canvas art with shells. Later that week, I was inspired to do the same with the shells I found on one of my early morning walks!

Went for a walk this morning and found a few unique shells. Ever since I was a little girl, I would try to find heart-shaped rocks and shells. That was a treasure to me. I remember taking a walk with my mom at a campground; it was pitch black and dark outside, but I looked down at my feet and could see the heart-shaped rock. That was a good memory with her. As I was walking on the beach today, I found not only a heart-shaped shell but also a heart sticker, probably from a little child’s artwork or playful time at the beach. That meant the world to me. 

July 6, Thursday

Another early morning walk brought such peace and serenity. I wrote about it in my “Today I Decide to Be.”

Parish and I went to Potter’s Seafood Market. A family-owned business for over 100 years. We returned and made a lovely brunch with triggerfish, which is high in protein and amino acids. This fish is mild and solid. We also had shrimp.

The church you see in the tiled gallery above is being renovated into a home! We got to go inside and see the work and talk to the builders. This was a historic Catholic church! One of my dreams is to renovate and live in an old church!

Parish went to the outdoor shooting range, Ye Old Gun Range, with Drake that afternoon.

Valentina and I walked around the shops and picked up my crab meat at Potters. We discovered that Potters support Pelican rescue, and we met one of their friends, Betty. Many fly as far as Key West and then return in the summer to Southport.

Parish discovered that Chuck, the original owner of the range we’d been going to for years, had passed away. His daughter has carried on the business.

Later that night, we took a sunset cruise! We saw dolphins and a bird sanctuary!

The house you see above is the home from the movie “Safe Haven.” You would be surprised to know how many movies have been filmed in Southport, NC.

July 7, Friday

A yummy morning breakfast!

Parish and I decided to take the Fort Fisher Ferry to Kure Beach. Things to do are Fort Fisher, an Aquarium, and driving around exploring the small-town beaches of Kure and Carolina Beach.

Don’t forget to check the schedule and read the suggested arrival time.

July 8, Saturday

I loved that my mom was able to visit the family reunion. Thank you, Jessica and Dean, for coordinating her pick-up and way back home.

I took one last early morning walk. WOW! This was indeed my happy place. The quiet of the morning and the exploring. We packed up and stopped at Port City Java for coffee and breakfast. We shared our favorite memories and laughed. A much-needed time. I explored the coffee shop art and purchased one of the pieces. I hope to write about that in an upcoming post. The artist is James Giordano.

Dining opportunities are on this link.

The pictures above are from early morning walks!

Short video clips of the week.