north carolina is the state with the most salamanders

Hello!  I have news!

I’ve fallen in love.

With North Carolina.

Good friends in the middle of the state, who open their guest room to us and don’t mind that we invite our other friends and their two kids over to their house.  Or that we spend the first afternoon there asleep.  Or that our daughter takes over their living room with Barney (ok, maybe they minded a little).  Do you have friends with whom you can just pick up where you left off?  Where you can do anything or nothing at all because just being together is hilarious?  I do.  And I was lucky to spend some time with them.

Good beaches on the coast.  The local people of the Outer Banks were gearing up for the summer season, but we were lucky to be just on the edge.  The waiters were still green and enthusiastic, the beaches weren’t crowded, and the water was cold.  Still, there is something for me about being near the ocean: the sound of the surf, the squish of sand between my toes, and the wind in my hair lowers my blood pressure by a few points.  We built sandcastles, walked along the seashore looking at treasures washed up by the tide, and ate really good seafood.  We’re already planning a trip back next year.

Good vibes now in Asheville.  Our bed and breakfast is fantastic and deserves a post of its own.  This town takes its hippie seriously.  I’ve never seen so many dreadlocks and hemp clothes.  Last night we headed downtown for dinner.  A drum circle formed at the center of town, with people from all walks of life joining in the fun or taking photos from the perimeter.  Claire thought it was the best thing ever.  We jumped and danced for a while, then indulged ourselves at a local bookstore, then followed the beat back to the drum circle.  Hacky sacks, hoola hoops, homemade percussion.  People from all walks of life.  It was no doubt the most diverse crowd I’ve been a part of since leaving Ann Arbor.   I haven’t seen a Target yet, but as soon as I confirm that one exists here, I’m so moving.

We head home tomorrow and will be happy to return to the comforts of home.  But this vacation has been good for our spirits and an excellent start to the summer.

Comments

[Elaine]

YAY! So good to hear from you! But you will have to stop thinking about moving there, bc we've already decided you're moving here. OK? OKAY?

Glad we got that settled.

Can't wait to hear more about the trip.

[Nancy]

North Carolina is a lovely state. My family is in the middle of the state (Charlotte and Pinehurst), we vacation on the coast, and J and I honeymooned in Asheville. Love it all! Glad you had such a wonderful time.

[Daph]

Ahh, it sounds so wonderful! Glad to hear you're having such a great time. :) Now I have to put Asheville on my list of places to move, LOL.

[Christina]

Happy vacation to you guys and say HI to Aim and Chadd for me! Love, C

[Tongue in Cheek]

I am glad you had a good time and found a dream place!

[sandy]

Sounds divine. Glad you're enjoying it!

[European]

Isn't that funny? As sad as I was that my little mini-vacation to Death Valley was over, I was still enormously excited to sleep in my own bed!
And I second Elaine - Southern CA! Wheee!

[Steph.]

This sounds so wonderful! I was actually born in NC but haven't been back since we moved (when I was 3) so I'd love to go there. I had a friend who moved to the mountains there from here in Texas and just RAVES about it. Glad to hear you had a great trip!

[Shannon (Sentimental)]

Keep on enjoying yourself. :)

[Amy]

Honey, we don't mind Barney one bit :) For someone without formal kid prep, I was just glad I had raisins, cheese sticks and PINK cheerios...and a moderately patient dog! We were so happy to have you visit, so sad to have you leave, and are so excited about plans for next summer! I will be mailing Dolly's bottle to you. Glad you had a great vacation - with all the "sailamaters"!
love and miss already, Aim