For North Carolinians, a trip to the beach is a necessary rite of summer. With most of us holding on to vivid memories of childhood trips to the beach, we invest all sorts of emotion into exactly what constitutes a proper beach vacation. The topic ranks right up there with how to celebrate Christmas as a subject likely to provoke strong feelings. Rationally we can understand that opening presents on Christmas Eve is a perfectly plausible option but if your family opened theirs on Christmas morning, you know in your heart of hearts that Christmas morning is the right time (and really, the ONLY time) to unwrap those gifts. In the same way, I can nod understandingly when someone explains why they love going to the beach and staying in a condo with a pool but all the time I’m thinking to myself that the good lord clearly intended us to stay in oceanfront cottages…and ones with big, screened porches at that!North Carolina is blessed with many different, equally beautiful beaches. Every family has their favorite and every family believes that “their” beach is the right one. For my family, that right beach would be Topsail in Pender County – in July, the month that we feel confident was created precisely for beach weeks. The pictures below help illustrate some of the elements we consider critical for an idyllic time in Topsail – thankfully ones that were all a part of this year’s trip,  July 14 – 21 – Pender – County #9.

Sunrise over the Atlantic.

Morning coffee on the porch.

Birthday celebrations.

Trips to my favorite coffee shop/bookstore.

Floating on my raft in the water – well, you may have to look closely, but that is me on my raft out there!

Sunset over the sound.