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GETAWAY FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR OWN FALL TRIPS AS A FEW OF OUR NEIGHBORS SHARE THEIR RECENT AND UPCOMING REGIONAL TRAVELS COMPILED BY RENEE AMBROSO
*Reponses have been edited for length and clarity The first place I traveled [to] since COVID-19 and my favorite place I travel to again and again is Surf City, North Carolina. Surf City is nestled in the center of Topsail Island. This little beach has transformed itself in the last few years, so if you have not been in a while or if you have never been, head that way now! They replaced the [swinging] bridge with the new, expansive, 65-foot-high, $53 million bridge, which opened in 2018. It is a joy to see, drive over, bike or hike across. The views are spectacular, and from the top you can see the pier, shore, public parks, boardwalk, shopping areas, quaint restaurants and more. Surf City has many unique opportunities. Pop into The Fractured Prune for fresh, hot, custom-made doughnuts; walk on the pier and fish there or in the surf; go to the Ecological Marine Adventures’ Touch Tank Aquarium and experience nature close-up; sign up for surf school; or eat at Shaka Taco, the best 26
CHATHAM MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021
taco stand I have ever visited. There is so much to see and do, so many shops, sweet spots, meals and deals, but to be honest, my favorite thing to do is just be on the beach, build sandcastles with my nephew, walk, listen to the surf and let the breeze blow my worries away.” – Tracy Miller of Sanford with Clint Miller and granddaughter Avery Bates
I’m so happy that ... travel is possible again. For Memorial Day, my family and I traveled to Carolina Beach here in North Carolina and had an amazing time. It was also my oldest son, Dylan’s, 5th birthday, so it was an extra special treat for him. In August, my family and I traveled to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina for another short getaway. When we visit Carolina Beach, we enjoy playing on the beach, swimming in the pool, walking the boardwalk and visiting our favorite eateries. The Dive has amazing burgers, fries and wings. Havana’s Restaurant gives you an elegant cottage-style atmosphere with a mix of New Orleans-style dining. Latella Gelato has at least 30 different flavors of delicious gelato to choose from right on the boardwalk, and Olde Salty’s has some of the best fried fish and okra you’ll ever taste.” – Karen Barbee of The Vineyards at Chatham Park with Dylan Barbee, 5, and Dario Barbee, 2
My parents and sister live in Wilmington, North Carolina, so we visited Wilmington a few times this spring and summer. My friends Tara Huss and April Montgomery and I have made a girls’ trip to Bryson City, North Carolina, for eight years in a row, but had to miss last year due to the pandemic. We spent a weekend at Lakeview at Fontana, a boutique hotel in the mountains. I met Tara and April in childbirth class, and when Tara moved to Nashville, Tennessee, we picked a spot in between to connect each year.” – Dana Wicker Cantrell of Legacy at Jordan Lake with Tara Huss and April Montgomery CM