Thirty-four years ago was my first ride home from a week with my family in Emerald Isle. It was an emotional ride marked with sadness at having to leave but also recollection of the many memories we made and ideas of what we couldn’t wait to do the “next year”. This ride home was to be the beginning of many growing and changing family traditions.We have grown from our childhood family of five to our now family of fourteen. Some of us have migrated from North Carolina so we now also drive in from Michigan and Pennsylvania. Many things have not changed over the years. Our family ranges in age from 2 to 68 and something about Emerald Isle brings us all together in so many ways.
The Truly Amazing Shell ContestOur shell contest is second to none with categories ranging from smallest (we weren’t sure if one of the entrees was a piece of sand or a shell), to most beautiful (a perfect auger) to shells looking most like something else (one looked just like a tiger)…We get some very unique entrees and ideas.
The Chip off the Old Block Book GroupWe have an entire family book club. We choose and read a book in the spring and we wait until the beach to discuss it. It is so great to see grandparents and grandchildren discussing their favorite Kate DiCamillo character.
Fabulous FoodEach family picks a night to prepare a meal. We’ve been treated to authentic lasagna, paella, local fresh catch, Mexican fiesta, and a full Chinese feast including fortune cookies to name just a few. Of course this always leaves us an open night for a trip to Morehead City and a night to visit the famous Big Oak for the unforgettable shrimp burger.
My mind is flooded with things we love to do at the beach. Fishing, long beach walks, great talks on the deck watching the sun rise and watching the picture perfect sunsets, putt putt golf, the yearly Aquarium trip, the many Food Lion trips, riding the waves and the time spent with our family just being together at a place we all love so much.
I can’t wait until next year!
Past Guest of Emerald Isle Realty