A Winter Weekend at the Coast
Every New Year’s Day, John and I have a tradition of taking a hike somewhere around where we live. Being outside together gives us a sense of marking a fresh start and getting away, and a chance to talk about the dreams we have for the new year.
There is something so special about those moments, feeling the gravity of time that is passing and the power of vulnerably speaking out our hopes to each other. We strategize how we can work through obstacles of fear, finances, busy schedules, and the necessary responsibilities of adulting to walk boldly towards our dreams.
This year we approached our New Year’s Day a little differently.
John doesn’t get many holidays off of work, but thankfully, New Year’s Day is one of them! With that falling on a Friday, we took advantage of the opportunity for a long weekend and decided to forgo our annual hike for a retreat to the NC coast.
The coast of North Carolina is my absolute favorite in the deep winter months. It is the most refreshing! It is so desolate and quiet, unbelievably cozy, and holds a grace and permission to rest. Like, really rest - not rest-get-stuff-done, but take a nap, read a book, putter around in your stretchy pants and make a cup of afternoon tea, and have nothing to show for your day except that you made it happily to your pillow that night.
John’s family owns a home in the tiny town of Beaufort, one that has been passed down through generations. It’s one of those homes that looks modest on the outside, but the walls and floors and furniture are made with real, solid wood and the craftsmanship of a skilled artist. The decor is like a time capsule telling the story of their family. The simplicity, heritage, and familiarity of it make it the most comforting sanctuary for us any time we go.
It kind of reminds me of Shell Cottage in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows - a safe haven. And it certainly has provided healing shelter for many of us, family and friends alike, during dark and difficult times.
This was not such a dark nor difficult time, but John did need as much time as possible to study for a big upcoming test, so we decided we may as well spend that time in our beloved Beaufort!
Like any getaway, there are always plenty of reasons to not go. The time and energy it takes to pack and the logistics of doing it with a baby, rainy cold weather, and the extra money needed for gas and eating out all make us think twice (or three or four times!) But ultimately our sense of needing some adventure wins out, and it is always worth it.
I’m a firm believer that a regular change of scenery, however near or far, does wonders for the soul. It feels like this permission to pause and take stock of your feelings, your emotions, and your life. It reminds me that our little homes and bubbles are so so small and the world is FULL of beautiful places and people just waiting to be known.
We left for the coast on Thursday night, and the ride was a little rough going down between rain and a nap-resistant baby. But as soon as we got there and got settled in, there was that delicious exhale of entering into a restful time.
John studied in chunks all throughout the morning, day, and night on Friday and Saturday, but any time he took a break, we had some really sweet family fun.
Thankfully the rain would let up enough for us to take many walks through downtown Beaufort (if you’ve never been, just the act of a simple stroll through the streets is reason enough to visit!)
On Friday, we drove to Atlantic Beach and ate at El’s Drive-In, a must if you’re in the mood for fast-food style NC seafood! It’s a local favorite and has been around since 1959. Think shrimpburgers, oysters, and NC-style BBQ - you literally drive up, someone comes up to your window, takes your order, and delivers the order back to your car where you can sit and eat.
Then we took a very bundled and brief walk along the beach. It was so very cold but so nice to have a moment to look out at the water, look for shells, and talk about the year.
On Saturday, we ate out at our favorite Beaufort restaurant, Beaufort Grocery Co. We can walk there from the family house, and the sandwiches, sides, and desserts are so delicious! My favorite sammy is the Fuhgeddaboudit with a side of sweet potato chips, and the pecan pie is spectacular. It always feels like a treat to go because their service is top-notch, it’s a rare dine-in experience in the age of, well, not a lot of that, and it is so tasty!
I had a few delightful moments to myself, too, when John was studying and Griffin was napping. It felt refreshing to have some quiet alone moments in a different atmosphere than our everyday. I took a 2-hour nap, worked on my 2021 goals, did some yoga, and read a book (currently reading through Little Women!)
I’m doing the 30-day Yoga Journey with Yoga with Adriene - I love her free yoga videos on YouTube! They’re the best! This practice came with a water view :)
It was just the kind of rest I needed to start this new year. I recharge in quiet, hidden places, and I’ve needed that kind of recharging. Between what’s been going on in the world, to supporting John for his test, to learning how to be a mama and keeping the house going well, to recovering after holiday festivities - my heart needed a winter weekend away at the coast.
What were you up to for the New Year’s holiday? Do you have a practice or tradition you like to do to kick off the new year?
Are you a winter coast lover like me?
Hope you’re staying well, and hey - happy NEW year, my friends. I pray blessings on it for you, for me, and for all of us.
Love,
Sam
P.S. Looking for more weekend travel ideas? Check out our trip to Fort Lewis Lodge in VA, our babymoon to Savannah, and my tips on how to have a GREAT staycation!
