Once a year, a bunch of my friends from college get together just to catch up and have fun. This year, we converged in the Outer Banks, NC for fun times at the beach.
Waves crashing along the shore at the Outer Banks.
It was the end of April, so the water wasn’t very warm – but that didn’t prevent me from going in!
Wading in the Atlantic Ocean. Photo by Pat Zimmerman.
Having fun in the waves. Photo by Pat Zimmerman.
Not pictured: the 45 minute swim I took the following afternoon. I LOVE swimming in the ocean, even if it’s a bit chilly! But the waters along San Francisco are too cold – and the undertow too strong – for me to just wade in. So I was happy to take the plunge in North Carolina!
We all had a good time, which included some wrestling on the beach:
Just goofing around at the beach.
One morning, Pat and I woke up super early to watch the sunrise on the beach. It was cloudy out – we never really caught the sun coming up over the water – but the light was still beautiful.
Sunrise on a cloudy day.
One of the best parts of the early morning at the beach is watching all the wildlife. We saw pelicans diving for fish and dolphins leaping out of the waves. And then we came across a skate, stranded upside-down on the sand. Pat managed to flip it right-side up, and it eventually caught a wave back into the ocean.
A beached skate returns to sea.
We were out enjoying the beach for quite awhile, but eventually got chased back inside by a brewing storm. Somehow we made it back to the beach house we were sharing with our friends before the rain got really bad!
Gathering storm at the beach.
Most of the rest of our long weekend was spent hanging out, playing games, chatting, and taking strolls on the beach.
What’s your favorite way to reunite with good friends?
What I wore:
Guest of Honor Dress by Effie’s Heart, via ModCloth. An easy, super comfortable jersey knit dress – perfect for a casual weekend at the beach!
[Photos by me except where otherwise noted.]
kate à la mode 
Oh my this looks like such fun! How I wish my hubby and I hadn’t used up all our vacation time on our honey moon, I’m longing to go to the beach.
xo,
Em
LikeLike
Honeymoons are the perfect way to splurge with vacation time, though. :) Congratulations!
LikeLike
This looks like such an amazing time. The photos of you in the ocean are adorable and what better way to celebrate with old friends than to go to the beach. I’ve never been to Outer Banks…though we pass it so many times on our way down to Hilton Head, where we usually go and I’ve always wondered about it:)
LikeLike
Thank you! I’ve never been to Hilton Head so can’t make a comparison, but I really loved the Outer Banks! So beautiful – and not at all crowded! (Then again, I went in April and not during the high season.)
LikeLike
this looks like a fun day! i went to the beach last night but the water was a lot calmer than this. now i have to go google what a “skate” is…
LikeLike
I happen to particularly love rougher water. :) One of the reasons I actually braved the cool water was because the waves were just about perfect – fun for swimming about but not dangerous!
LikeLike
That looks like such a fun day! I wish I were as close to such beautiful beaches as you…
Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com
LikeLike
Well, I had to fly across the country to get to this particular one… but I feel like I keep saying this to you: clearly you need to move to SF! :)
LikeLike