To clear the bitterness left by my last quilted bag rant entry, I will admit I had a lovely North Carolina weekend. I wasn't minding the heat wave situation too much (it still blew my mind to leave the house without even thinking about layers or cardigans or coats or socks) but when it abruptly snapped this week and the air became crisp and the skies that deep clear September blue and the light a mellow golden instead of that summer white hot blare - I was happy. To know that seasons do come here after all inspired coffee cake baking and butternut squash risotto planning and a hunt for my knee socks. We also made a run for the Coast, afraid we'd miss out on the some ocean swimming if we waited too long. (Car trips are suddenly delightful too, with the sun and no need to have the AC on full blast.)A Prof had mentioned that Wrightsville Beach was a nice area, closer and less touristy than the famed Outer Banks. With dubious hearts, we packed towels and bathing suits and a picnic and no sunscreen.
The beach was gorgeous - a stretch of white as far as you could see. Interesting shells washed up on shore. Not too crowded. And warm enough to venture in - and stay for 3 hours, bobbing around. Doesn't the Pacific sound like it should be warm? But the Atlantic kicks the Pacific's bum for swimability. We had such an excellent day in the water, it honestly rivaled our swims in Spain. Afterwards we drove to the town of Wilmington which was historic and gussied up a little for tourists but we had the most delicious meal I've had since moving here. Then ice cream cones by the river. A sunburn on noses. A ride home on the side roads with the windows down and the green grass smell and old barns being swallowed in kudzu. A perfect day.
Sunday we looked at houses in Durham and I realized that soon we won't be in a windowless cave and maybe we'll even be on a particular small street with a little house and a big porch - I have my fingers crossed so very hard for this little house. Where the baby and I will wait for AH to come home and go for walks and get to know each other. And it does suddenly seem so like it all might be good after all.