Coming to visit family in Southport, North Carolina is the best way to relax and unwind. Zac Brown Band sings, “I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand, not a worry in the world.” Those lyrics are relevant anytime I’m by the ocean. But, being with family, while having the peace of the beach nearby, allows my mind to completely be at ease.
The charm of this small, southern town is perfectly captured in the movie, Safe Haven. I tried my best to capture the charm of Southport through my own lense. Although, what you can’t capture through a camera’s lense is the friendly nature of every resident in Southport. Every store we entered we were politely acknowledged and when leaving it was always “bye ma’am.” Talk about culture shock.
We started the morning with coffee and chit chat and ended the day in the same way. We went to Loco Joe’s for lunch, this is landmark for my family and I when we come to visit family here in Southport. Fish Tacos are a staple there, but I opted for a Ahi Tuna and Shrimp Wrap. The wrap was the size of a small hoagie and somehow, someway, I easily devoured the entire thing. My Mom, her sisters and even my 91 year old Nana were a rambunctious bunch, in the best way. They prove age is just a number. But, I don’t think the sweet, southern people who have probably lived down south their entire lives, sitting next to us, were used to loud New Jerseyans like us.
After our meal we headed into town. First, we stopped by the shore. They have swing chairs that look onto the water. We all snapped some pictures and then drove over to the boutiques.
When we got back to the house my Mom and I went bike riding around St. James Plantation. The two of us act like we’re about to get our own show on HGTV. Every house we pass we mention what we like, dislike and what we would change (I hope the homeowners didn’t hear us).
Dinner back at the house was nothing but tasty. Old bay sprinkled over shrimp, sausage and corn are one of my favorite meals. It doesn’t get much better then sitting around a table and eating with family you only get to see a few times out of the year. There is always something to talk about. The night was ended with watching the Bachelorette and drinking tea but that’s nothing new. . .
Today, and each day spent here with my Mom’s side of the family is a reminder to always be grateful for each moment spent with family.
91 never looked so good.
Loco Joes in Southport, North Carolina.
Ahi Tuna and Shrimp. YUM
