Just Us: New Bern

I said in my last post that Tony and I were going to New Bern for our 26th anniversary. We enjoy exploring North Carolina, especially, sea/river towns, which New Bern is. I feel like these places are always on summer vacation. The pace is different, the sky is bright blue and there is a coolness to the constant breeze that lulls you into relaxation. It was extra-perfect, because we found a "dog friendly" place to stay. We explored not only New Bern, but Havelock, Morehead City and Beaufort, all in close proximity.

We saw some amazing architecture in New Bern. It's an old city, with a strong Queen Anne style in some of it's surviving homes. They have wrap around porches, turret windows and high roof peaks on the second floor.

Since we moved down here, I find myself more interested in sea life and going to various aquariums. There was a really nice one in Pine Knoll Shores, close to Morehead City. Unfortunately, the day we decided to go, there were at least four school tours with the same idea. It was loud, but we took the opposite route of the kids as often as we could and really enjoyed our time there. I met a professional photographer (who teaches at UNC) and she gave me some tips on getting a better shot when taking pictures in a dimly lit area and through the glass that enclosed the fish. Her camera looked like a small cannon--the gun kind, not the camera kind. I found Tony and I could return the favor to some small degree by helping a young woman who was struggling with her camera. I know that the visual image you see will never match what is caught by a camera lens, but to me, it is exciting to try to capture the right moment of movement. To see Dixie jumping and get her on film in mid air or catching a drop of rain fall off of a rose petal are things that make me feel like I am showing people something they may have missed, even though they were in the moment.

This trip was a good "come down" for me. I took 5 full days off of work and felt really rested. We walked around a maritime museum, ate at fun restaurants (don't miss, Crabby Patty's!) and had fun being together to celebrate.

We included some beach time in our schedule and as always, I had a great time.

Since then, I took another golf lesson, which I totally enjoyed, although my back was bothering me. This time, I was hitting from the fairway with an iron. It doesn't sound difficult, but I am having trouble connecting the center of my club face with the ball. I just have to keep practicing!

On another note, I went for my yearly physical when we got back. Geez, why do I do that? My bad cholesterol jumped 50 points from my last visit and my blood pressure is still a problem. Dr. Gettier (pronounced Get-tee-a) gave me a list of things to cut out of my diet (or at least cut back.) Of course, green beans or lettuce weren't things I have to give up. It was red meat, starches, pork, butter, chocolate and eggs. OK, so what is left to eat? Seriously? I can probably eat the box my cereal comes in, but she will probably put that on the list my next visit. OK, I've lost 3 pounds, but this is miserable!!

I have also become a "tablet junkie." I see people at the hospital all of the time investigating things on their "tablet" while they are waiting. I never understood the urge to stare into a hand held device while I am waiting for something. OK, I got it now. I can check email, read a book, play a game (I am also hooked on Luminosity, the "brain game app), check the weather, read a fashion magazine, find out what's going on in news around the world and listen to music. It's amazing. I was using it so frequently that my battery was low. I worked from 7 to 7 yesterday and was positively at a loss for how to fill the time when patients weren't coming in.

Today is Sunday and tomorrow is Memorial Day. Tomorrow, we will have a 34 year old son and a few weeks after that, a 39 year old daughter. How in the world did that happen to such young people as Tony and me? I'm working on Memorial Day, of course, but Tony is making one of our favorite meals for us to share tonight. It's a cool day and a beautiful one.

Share our vacation: