Fort Macon Hike

On Monday morning, with the rain finally cleared, I rose early and took Amaroq for a refreshing beach walk. We strolled a few miles west along the shoreline, turning back just as the first hints of dawn appeared. The return journey was breathtaking - the sky gradually brightened, painting everything in soft, glowing light.

We timed it perfectly, arriving back at the hotel right as the sun rose over the horizon.

After a quick pack-up and checkout, we enjoyed one last breakfast at Banks Grill before heading to Fort Macon State Park for a final beachside adventure. We brought the stroller, but Harper surprised us by hiking a good portion of the Elliot Coues Nature Trail on her own. We began on the soundside, passing the historic Coast Guard station and winding through a serene maritime forest filled with stunning views of Bogue Sound.

The path was dotted with vibrant yaupon holly berries, adding pops of red to the greenery.

The trail soon crossed over to the oceanside, where a short spur connected us briefly to Atlantic Beach.

Looping back, we climbed through the rolling dunes, rewarded with beautiful vistas of the beach and Atlantic waves.

With the loop complete and spirits high, we started the drive home, making a tasty stop for lunch at East Coast Wings in Kinston. It was the perfect, relaxed way to cap off our coastal getaway.

Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium

Sunday turned out to be a thoroughly rainy day, but we made the most of it. The morning started with just a light drizzle, so I took Amaroq for an early beach walk. We strolled several miles in both directions, reaching the piers and lingering a bit past sunset.

The overcast skies kept things quiet, with not much wildlife or activity to spot, but the fresh air and steady pace felt refreshing.

After our long walk, we headed back and enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Banks Grill. By then the rain had picked up, so we decided on the perfect indoor alternative: the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, an ideal rainy-day outing.

The aquarium beautifully traces North Carolina's aquatic journey from mountains to sea.

We began in the mountain region, passing an impressive artificial waterfall and exhibits featuring pickerel, bass, and other freshwater fish.

Moving into the Piedmont section, we spotted two adorable screech owls (not aquatic, but charming nonetheless).

Although the otters were napping, the turtles were active.

I really liked the albino loggerhead sea turtle and a fascinating snapping turtle.

Harper was captivated by the colorful array of fish and marine life, particularly the mesmerizing jellyfish displays.

The highlight was the massive Living Shipwreck tank—a 306,000-gallon ocean habitat teeming with sharks, rays, sea turtles, and schools of vibrant fish.

Our tour finished up through the coastal areas.

After exploring the main galleries, Harper spent some joyful time in the Discovery Bay play area, crawling through tunnels and interacting with hands-on exhibits.

When the rain eased momentarily, I slipped out for a quick stroll along the Alice Hoffman Trail in the adjacent Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area.

This easy half-mile loop winds through marshy ecosystems, complete with a floating bridge near the end.

I was rewarded with sightings of a graceful great egret wading in the shallows and a small flock of white ibises farther along - peaceful moments amid the drizzle.

Later, while Harper napped, Amaroq and I popped over to Nacho Brewing in Morehead City.

Despite the persistent rain, dogs were welcome inside. Amaroq quickly made friends with the bartender's dog, charmed everyone with his talkative personality (earning plenty of treats and laughs), and kept me company while I enjoyed a Fruit Isn't Real beer. By evening, we returned to pack up and prepare for checkout the next morning. A full, cozy day despite the weather!

Croatan Coast Hikes

On Saturday, we packed up Harper and Amaroq for a delightful beach weekend getaway along the North Carolina coast. Our first stop was the Cedar Point Recreation Area in Croatan National Forest, where we explored the stroller-friendly Tideland Trail. The boardwalks wound gracefully through a serene salt marsh, offering stunning views of the tidal flats and coastal grasses.

About halfway along the main loop, a magnificent Great Egret stood poised in the shallow water, its reflection mirroring perfectly below.

As we paused to capture the moment, a juvenile white ibis gracefully landed nearby, adding to the magic.

A short spur trail led us out to the edge of the White Oak River, where clusters of oyster reefs peeked above the surface.

Amaroq struck a classic pose for a quick photo before we completed the loop.

A few miles farther down the road, we pulled into Patsy Pond Nature Trail for another easy, scenic stroll.

Harper took the lead on this one, happily trekking along the sandy paths before settling in to play in the soft sand.

While she enjoyed her little beach break, Amaroq and I continued circling the pond on Blue Trail, soaking in the peaceful longleaf pine flatwoods and glimpses of the water, which was really low.

Once she was ready to move on, we popped her back into the stroller and wandered farther along the trails before heading back to the car.

By then, appetites were calling, so we headed to Morehead City for a delicious Mexican lunch at Costa Bonita, fresh, flavorful, and just what we needed. Feeling recharged, we crossed the bridge to Atlantic Beach. It was still a bit early to check in, so we parked near the circle and strolled east along the shoreline.

We passed under the pier and kept going, nearly reaching the distant silhouette of Fort Macon before turning back.

By the time we returned, check-in time had arrived at the Island Inn. After settling in, we headed right back to the beach to catch a breathtaking sunset.

Knowing rain was forecast for the next day, we wanted to savor every golden moment.

As the sky painted itself in vibrant hues, we lingered until the light faded, then returned to the hotel for a cozy evening.

A perfect day of nature, family, and coastal beauty!

High Point Troll

On Friday, we drove to High Point to track down our final troll in North Carolina. The troll, affectionately named Little Sally, stood in the somewhat worn downtown area. We easily found public parking, and a short walk brought us right to her for a few quick photos.

From there, it was just a short drive to the Piedmont Environmental Center. We settled Harper into her stroller and set off along the Bicentennial Greenway, a pleasant paved trail.

The only challenge was a set of stairs along the way, which required some careful maneuvering with the stroller. Beyond that, the path opened up to lovely views of Koonce City Lake, where a group of double-crested cormorants perched dramatically on a branch jutting out of the water.

The greenway continued seamlessly into Gibson Park.

Shortly, a boardwalk with led to an overlook of the wetlands at the head of the lake.

A bit farther on, we paused to admire the historic Deep River Cabin and its nearby old well.

Heading north, the trail ducked under US-70 and followed the winding East Fork Deep River.

We found a peaceful spot along the riverbank for a rest, our turnaround point.

On the return, we detoured onto the Long Rifle Trail, which wound past a pair of scenic twin ponds.

The trail led through the woods before connecting to the greenway.

Back in the Piedmont Environmental Center, we took another short side trip along the Deep River Trail before rejoining the greenway a final time.

Climbing the stairs with the stroller was trickier on the way up, but the built-in bike groove made it manageable. From there, it was an easy stroll of less than a mile back to the car.

To cap off the day, we stopped at Boulder's Bar just up the road for a relaxed early dinner.