While Cindy has been travelling to the West Coast, I've been doing a little travelling myself. I took a mini vacation east to visit a good friend and then we headed a little further east to the beaches of North Carolina!

We had a great time. It was a bit warm - it was 93 degrees on Monday, but I didn't care. I really needed some down time, and I got it.

It's been a hectic couple of weeks for me with the death of my very good friend at the Reno Air Races. Then last week my mom had what was initially thought to be a heart attack. That turned out to be a moderate angina episode. She spent 3 days in the hospital undergoing tests and sent home with a new medication.

About 15 minutes after I received that initial phone call from my sister that they were on their way to the hospital in the ambulance, my doctor called to let me know that I had to have a "redo" of my mammogram. They found something suspicious on it. They wanted me to come in ASAP, as in that day. I said no, it could wait as I had something more important on my plate at the moment.

All in all, it was turning out to be NOT a good day - in fact the whole week thus far was "sucking." H went hunting and was supposed to be gone for the entire week and came home Monday night instead of Saturday. He was not in a good mood despite getting his deer.

Wednesday, I decided a trip was in order - was it going to be Tulsa or PA? I really didn't care at that point. I packed and went to the airport and got on a plane headed for Atlanta. When I got to Atlanta, I checked my voice mail and nothing from sis, so I went to PA!

Good choice! Visited with my friend there and then early (and I do mean early - 3 am) Saturday morning we hopped in the car and drove for 10 hours to Topsail Island, NC! Yeehaw! Did we have a good time!

She fished, I sat on the beach and read, collected some shells, and got some sun (bad me! very bad) but I did put on sun block! I did NOT get sunburned!

We had flounder and bluefish for dinner. Ate swordfish at one of the local restaurants one night, and had an absolutely wonderful relaxing time!

Here's some pictures - the beach, a view from the deck of the beach, and a collage of pictures.

PS - redo on mammogram was yesterday and turned out ok...

PPS - walking on the beach is not good for me! I got spasticity so bad in my feet and legs I could hardly stand it. I ran out of vicodin so started doubling up on the ibuprofen! I had charlie horses in my feet every night.

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Cheryl don't tell Cindy but I would rather go East than West ----- Looks like you had a great time and I am suficiently jealous TYSM

You take a pretty good photo yourself kiddo ---- it all looks so inviting and yummy Thanks for sharing with us

Hi Cheryl
Sounds like the beach was just the ticket you needed. I love the pix, I'd foggoten how beautiful the beaches are there. Thanks for sharing.

We've been having a family crisis nearly every week since getting home. I feel for ya girl.

Pics look good, FG, I'm so glad you had a chance to take a breather. Holy cow, that's hot! I would have been a bucket of jello out there. How's L doing???

Glad to hear you had a good time! Sounds like you deserved a break!! The pics are lovely, so sunny and warm looking, unlike here where it is freezing this morning!!

I am happy to hear the mammo came out ok, it always scares me when they call me back! And I hear ya about the spasticity!

WOWEE!!! First off Cheryl... I am so glad your Mammo turned out OK and that your Mom is mending w/new meds.

Topsail Island is my most fave place in like forever... to go to. We usually stay at a house on the beach... It's so serene, beautiful and relaxing there. I will be going to NC Nov 2, to DD's and will be going to Topsail for a visit.

Sounds like it was just what you needed. Now, take care and rest and thanks for the pics, even tho ~~ a camera can never capture the peacefulness and beauty of Topsail's serenity....

The ocean breeze made it so we didn't even notice how hot it was! I just sat there in my chair with my ice water and read! It was soooo relaxing.

L is doing great. Caught lots of fish!

RW - it's cooling off here to, and I really needed the time away. It was nice there, but not fond of drivers on the beach! And too many dogs...way too many dogs! I love my dog, but dogs and cars on the beach just don't mix!

DM - we stayed at a house near the IGA and Crabby Mike's on the Island. We were about a block off the beach. I think the beach access name was Charlotte's Beach access or 706 or something like that. It was nice.

Beth - we need to stop having these crises! Let's make a pact to do that? OK!

Sally, I would NOT trade the East coast for the West coast for any amount of money. I love the west coast. Too damn many people on the east coast. And it's too hot and humid...but it was nice for the few off season days I was there.

Here's a photo of some shells I picked up on the Island. Some nice ones. Especially the big scallop shell that is intact! I have some pretty awesome shells that I have gotten all over the world during my travels!

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Beautiful!!! I have an apothocary jar filled with shells I collected in Florida in 1961... Were you born yet?

Yes