A Week in Paradise

This week I learned not to judge a state by its vast number of dollar stores or Piggly Wigglys.

It took us ALL DAY to travel from Denver to Top Sail Island, North Carolina last Saturday, including three airplanes and two long layovers. Based on the number of hours we were traveling I kept thinking we could have flown to London or Dusseldorf. On the bright side, the flights were free (thanks to frequent flier miles), and I otherwise might never have seen the bustling metropolis of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

But as we drove the final 2 1/2 hour leg from Raleigh I stared glumly out the window wondering "why do people live here?" I guess as a westerner I was surprised to find out that there are places other than southern Wyoming that depress one's sense of wanderlust. Fortunately, our crossing of the causeway bridge onto Top Sail Island was like passing through C.S. Lewis' wardrobe. This is a magical place. It is relatively undeveloped, with only a few seafood diners and ma and pop businesses. Private beach homes line the shore, tottering on flood-safe stilts and bearing the load of elaborate decks. The beaches are clean and flat, the water is warm, the waves are the perfect height for my six year old to learn how to boogie board. Most importantly, the sea food is fresh and I'm doing my best to systematically try every dish on the menu at our favorite diner. It's possible we might not come home.