On our last full day in North Carolina we headed on an adventure to the seashore. We traveled east to Emerald Isle/Crystal Coast of N.C.
We traveled the length of Emerald Isle across to the mainland to Beaufort.
We walked along the sand and collected a couple handfuls of shells.
It was good to walk along the beach again. It’s been a long time since our weekly walks along the Pacific Ocean.
Seems like mushrooms can grow in many environments…
Here are the shells we collected.
I’ll share our stops at the aquarium, Beaufort, and Fort Macon in the next few days.
On Saturday after our day out Dear and I left for the airport home. It was hard to say goodbye to Katie and leave her alone. We know she’ll do well and that soon she’ll be reunited with Andrew. I also know I will have those tearful moments as I adjust to our empty nest. The triggers that lead to tears vary. The first trigger was walking past Katie’s room. Oops! I might just have to redecorate sooner than later. But first I need to start getting our home ready for our Christmas celebrations!
I’m linking up for Mosaic Monday with Mary at Little Red House.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
I’ve spent a huge amount of time on the Outer Banks, kinda like alittle piece of heaven on earth.
Raven
I can not imagine. Your empty nest is so different than ours— our girls are so close. I’m putting you on my prayer board— to help me remember to pray as you go through this season. Thankful you know the One who holds all our tears.
Thanks for taking us along on your trip! Beautiful photos along the seashore! It’s quite an adjustment to have an empty nest, but the Lord will give new strength for each new day!
Wonderful pictures of the ocean and beach…since I grew up on Long Island and have lived at the Jersey Shore for the last 22 years I feel that we share the same area…only separated by many miles.
It sounds like you had such a wonderful trip. It’s been fun to tag along via your posts. I’m sure it will feel mighty empty around your house without Katie around, and I hope Christmas festivities help make it not quite so lonely. Bet she misses you too!
Beautiful photos of a lovely time at the ocean. I like to collect shells too. I really never got to the empty nest stage because grandchildren have come and our youngest is still home (age 20). But, I know it has been a big adjustment for my friends. Those moments together must be very special 🙂
Kindly, Lorraine
Lovely photos from your trip. I love the beach and collecting shells. I’m sure your Katie will be missing you also. Wonderful photos, have a great week!
Great photos but I feel your sadness! She will do well, and you will find that an empty nest is not all that bad!!!
What a great trip and look at all of the fabulous shells you found! That’s my favorite part of walking on the beach! It’s fun seeing photos of you, too!
Is that you are Katie? Now I’m not sure! Hugs! ♥♥♥
That is Katie in all these shots. I have to remind myself to make sure I get into a few shots here and there :0)
Looks like a lovely trip. I know you will miss your daughter, but you have your own adventure ahead of you. Enjoy it! Hugs to you and I love those shells!
Really lovely pictures!! the shells are beautiful, too. Wishing you well! Cathy
Some great shots of the ocean! Especially that second last one with the clouds. I looked at your cook book when I was in Scott’s Parables in Red Deer AB the other week. 🙂 I am a new empty nester this year, takes some getting used to for sure. Maybe blogging has come into my life at a good time…. Have a happy day, stopping by from Mosaic Monday.
It has been many years since I have been to the Carolinas but I remember the beauty of the beaches. Wonderful photos. V
I cannot imagine either of our daughters being that far away, the furthest is about a 3 hr drive. We talk lots on the phone which makes up for not seeing each other as much as we’d like. The separation does get easier with time. Lovely beach photos.
Wonderful photos..Ellen!
Your photos are beautifull. Isn’t it wonderful how air travel makes far away places and people much closer. Thank you for visiting my blog! âť„
The Atlantic looks pretty much like the Pacific…except for the interesting plants along the shoreline…and I never would have guessed mushrooms grow in the sand!
I empathize with your tender mother-heart and tears…I’ve been there.
Enjoy getting your home decorated for Christmas! May it bring you lots of joy. And I know you’ll be sharing the results with us eventually.
A great mosaic!
Have a wonderful week,
Markus
Ellen…I had a few tears here seeing Katie and her dad…..I know those daughter father relationships. Heart tugging tenderness…wishing her the very best at each step of life’s journey. Beautiful photos.
Beautiful pic’s at the seashore. Hugs to you as you deal with your new empty nest…and hugs to Katie as she copes alone while she waits.
Oh I love the No Bare Feet sign!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your images and your thoughts about leaving Katie behind and the start of the empty nest syndrome. How fast time flies – one day they are a babe in arms, then off to school, and suddenly they are leaving home. Where did all those years go?
I wish Katie and both of your all the best for the next steps in life’s journey. Take care and have a wonderful week and Christmas.
pps – and thank you also for stopping by my blog to say hi!
I agree – seeing the different seasons across the world is amazing!
Such wonderful photos! Fun to see everything through your eyes. The empty nest is hard at times. Ours has been empty for several years now, but I still miss my kids a lot. It was so wonderful to have them here at Thanksgiving! I pray that we have those kinds of opportunities more often.
~Linnea
Enthusiastic nest blues can be avoided by moving…like we did…but then no one ever really feels like there is a home to go to any more. Kinda sad.
Great photos. Not even getting those shells on the Oregon Coast.
Erika, I was surprised at how many shells we were able to pick up in the short walk on the sand we had…