North Carolina….It called me.
The Atlantic has always seemed mysterious to me. The final resting place for shipwrecked pirate ships and lost fortunes, it has captivated me even as a small child to its many stories. The lull of the crickets song, the wild beauty and unspoiled beaches, North Carolina has a romantic and cinematic quality to it. The tales of pirates like Blackbeard who’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was discovered off the coast of Beaufort in 1996, or the site of the first flight by the Wright Brothers in Kitty Hawk, or perhaps the many barrier islands and diverse wildlife, North Carolina is special not just for its blending of natural beauty but for its rich history. It could also be the many Hollywood movies shot around our shores, or the fact that at the peak of my adolescence, Dawson’s Creek filled my television screen, romanticizing the coastal small town life.
I often wonder what it is about the Carolina coast that calls to people, besides the lure of living by the beach, as many dream to do. As a Virginia native, I can tell you why I chose to raise my family here on this small piece of paradise. Growing up, my family spent a week every summer on Hatteras Island. Just seven days out of three hundred and sixty five, but that week left an impression on me that has translated into a dream to live by the coast all of my adulthood. Spending all day at the beach, jumping through countless waves and learning to surf with my dad, the taste of the Friday night fish fry at the local Fire Station, and the sweetness of early morning donuts remind me of a simple time. A time that as an adult I find myself longing to travel to. When we decided after having our third child that North Carolina was a place we’d like to raise our boys and find community, Topsail was an easy fit. A safe, tight-knit community right here on the coast.
Topsail Island and Hampstead in particular boast a small town feel while still being close to Wilmington and all that the Port City has to offer. Topsail island is known for its pristine and uncrowded beaches (you can always find parking), soft sand and clear waters. There are many times during the summer where I have to question if I am in fact in North Carolina and not the Caribbean the water is so turquoise green.
The tight knit community and friendly atmosphere all residents to really get to know each other and come together for local events, festivals and activities. Art shows, farmer’s markets and 5Ks, this area always has ways for residents to feel included and involved.
Topsail is a haven for nature lovers. Known for its conservation efforts, Topsail is widely recognized as the Sea Turtle safe haven. The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is a local treasure, and residents often see loggerhead turtles nesting on the beaches. The numerous marshes and creeks are amazing for birdwatching, fishing and kayaking. There is always a waterway to explore whether you take your boat out along the intracoastal in search of a sandbar, or a kayak or paddle board through the marshes. It truly is a waterman’s dream.
Life here is simply sweet. The recent growth of the area has brought with it more shopping, restaurants and attractions, and yet it still holds the quiet charm for those looking to escape city life. When we decided that this area would be the place we’d like to set roots, I knew that having my kids claim that for not just seven days, but three hundred and sixty five, they got to call this beach town home. That their childhood memories are filled with the sweetest of my own. Spending long summer days on the beach, getting ice cream on the pier, learning to surf with their dad, digging holes and catching crabs. That they find peace in the crickets chirp, or calm in the green marsh grasses and white egret birds.