Stay-cation Things to Do: the Beach (duh)
Yes, I know the beach and vacation (or stay-cation) seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly, but most of us who live in the Wilmington area take the area beaches for granted. From Topsail Beach (pronounced Top-sull, for our northern friends) all the way down to Oak Island, the beaches offer what everyone is searching for on a stay-cation, respite from a hectic day. It’s no secret that when you hit the beach chair with your favorite book, or even sit and watch the ocean, all your worries fade away.
If you’re planning a last minute summer get-away Orbitz named Wrightsville Beach a bargin in this article.
So tell us, which of our many beaches is your favorite escape?
![[Post to Twitter]](http://www.hagoodhomes.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-twitter.png){kind=icon}
Azalea Festival
This coming Wednesday kicks off the start of Azalea Festival in Wilmington. This year marks the 64th year of this time-honored tradition.
Not familiar with Azalea Festival? Think belles donned in beautiful gowns with parasols waving daintily from a float. Now magnify that image ten-fold. Azalea Festival is all about grandeur and celebrating the goodness that is not only Wilmington, but the entire south.
Activities for the whole family abound, including (but not limited to) a street festival featuring traditional fair fare, arts and crafts, and mini concerts and performances. The circus comes to town and headlining concert events. (This year features Darius Rucker and The Avett Brothers). The Home and Garden Tour are, obviously, one of our favorite venues of Azalea Festival. From downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach, each garden shows the pride of their caretakers.
We cordially invite you to this year’s Azalea Festival and hope we have the opportunity to meet with you personally and show you all there is to lvoe about living in the Port City.
The Great Slllllooooowwww Down
Part one in our series on Adjusting to the Southern Lifestyle.
There’s not much of a debate when it comes to why people from the northeastern region of the United States choose to relocate to Coastal Carolina. Our milder temperatures, laid back lifestyle, and lower property taxes are just a few of the reasons.
However, moving can be quite an adjustment for those that have lived in the great north all their lives. As a transplant myself, I have a bit of insight into the differences between the land of the “yankees” and the land of dixie. Although it’s been 20 years since I made the decision to change my allegiance, there are some things that never change. This series is designed to help you make the most of your decision to move to the south, y’all.
I still remember clearly my biggest adjustment. I had to learn to stop and smell the roses, to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. One of those little things, oddly enough, was conversation at the grocery store. I can’t tell you how long it took me to get used to the adjustment of what should be a 5 minute trip to pick up some bread and milk, turning into a full blown hour errand. It wasn’t until years later when I felt slighted as I was rushed through a grocery store line while on vacation in New Jersey that I realized I had acclimated to the South in this respect.
A trip to the grocery store, my dear, is an experience. The sweet cashier should be referred to as “sug” (short for “sugar”), or perhaps even, “sugah”. If you don’t go away from the store feeling like you are on a first name basis with the cashier and perhaps their entire family, you’ve probably rushed things a bit. Furthermore,you should keep in mind that the patrons in front of you in the checkout line are also reacquainting themselves with the cashier. At the VERY minimum, no matter your rush, you will be asked how you are and if you found everything okay. Answers should be given in the form of complete sentences, preferably with supporting details.
We should also remember to not neglect the bagger. The idea of a bagger, is in itself, an adjustment. In the north, the general practice was to bag your own groceries and schlep them to the car yourself – rain or shine, sleet or snow. I haven’t tested the theory <yet>, but I have the distinct feeling that if asked, the bagger would go so far as to fetch your car like a personal valet, drive you home and put your groceries away for you, then walk ten miles back to the store, as to not inconvenience you one bit!
The practice of slowing down should be applied to all aspects of life in the south. Whether it’s at a restaurant, taking a neighborhood stroll, or even calling customer service for the cable television.
Have you recently moved to the south? We’d love to hear your take on the change of pace! Leave us a comment and tell us about your experience!