Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Beach Fun and Back to Reality

Last night I returned home after a wonderful long weekend at Oak Island. Coming home from a trip to the beach is always a little bittersweet. Although I love my home here in the country, there is something special about the time that our family spends at the coast. It seems as though life is a little sweeter when we all leave behind our everyday distractions to take a vacation.

Our time spent at the coast is relaxed and very unstructured. Most of our time is spent on the beach with friends that we have made on the island over the years. We were very fortunate to have some of the most beautiful weather I can ever remember having at the beach. The high pressure that was bringing North Carolina such hot weather finally moved out and left us with very comfortable breezy days.

Our Fourth of July weekend brought us everything that we hoped it would.

It brought us...


...an evening on the beach watching the crowd getting ready for the fireworks.


...ladderball games on the beach with friends.


...teenagers having fun without ipods, cell phones, computers, or TV!


...beautiful sunsets to enjoy on the beach.


Doesn't the water and sky look magical while the sun is setting?





Who knew teenagers could have so much fun without cell phones, ipods, computers, or TVs?



Of course, what would the fourth of July be without a little fireworks?


I hope everyone was able to enjoy some of their own.




But as they say, "All good things must come to an end." Today I am back to a reality of unpacking, loads of laundry, grocery shopping, and according to the weatherman, another high pressure. But even with all of those chores to do and hot days coming...it is still good to be home!

11 comments:

Grace on the Narrow Path said...

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!!! I also love the beach!!! Did you go to the beach with your youth group? My son-in-law goes there with his youth group. It looks like a beautiful place!!!
Please stop by my new blog Grace on the Narrow Path. I have deleted my old blog, Seeking Grace due to problems with blogger. Please follow along with me as I follow along with The Country Diary.
Blessings,
Bren

Roses and Lilacs said...

Guess kids haven't forgotten the old fashioned ways to have fun afterall:) What a lovely place to spend the long weekend.
Manrie

Ginny said...

It sounds as though you made many happy memories! Family vacations are wonderful - especially those spent at the North Carolina coast. We've had numerous multi-generational family vacations at NC beaches over the years and I have precious memories of all of them. The sky and water do look magical when the sun is setting!

Joan Elizabeth said...

Yes the beach is a lovely place to visit especially when you normally live in the country. Glad you had a lovely warm fun July 4.

Glenda said...

I enjoyed seeing a bit of your vacation in that beautiful setting. You really got some gorgeous shots of the sunset over the water.

We've enjoyed having family with us during the holidays! Like you, we'll soon be back in our routine - and our house will be oh-so-quiet!

myletterstoemily said...

this was so much fun for me to compare our beach vacation
with our mountain one. you actually made me want to go
to the beach . . . for a second. :)

your photos are gorgeous.

From the Kitchen said...

It is good to see young people having fun without being attached to electronics! Our boys are adults now and we had to make sure they had times like these. I can only imagine how much harder it is now. I think they are better for having had the "human entertainment" experience!

Beautiful colors in the sunset photos.

Unknown said...

Love your photos - they capture your relaxing holiday perfectly :)

So what is ladderball?

Hatecthat coming home from the beach holiday, although nice to be rid of the sand!

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

Love all the pics! A day at the beach would be wonderful about now. So glad that you enjoyed yours!

Unknown said...

that looks like the perfect magical day and night! Yes, back to reality for me too. sigh.

sweetbay said...

What a wonderful way to spend the 4th. Lovely sunset pictures!