Bald Head Island Vacation

Thanks so much for all of your great road trip suggestions on my last post! Between my Bald Head Island trip last week and my 14-hour drive to Arkansas, I used just about every suggestion and passed the time by talking to friends on the phone and listening to podcasts and Spotify playlists.

I haven’t gotten a post up in quite a while since I’ve been traveling, so I’m excited to finally post about Bald Head Island.

Before I left for Arkansas, I spent a few days at Bald Head Island with a good friend, Riley, and her family. Riley and I drove to Southport, NC, on Tuesday afternoon, parked my car, and took the ferry over to the island. It was my first visit to Bald Head Island, which is a unique beach town because, in addition from needing a ferry to get there, there aren’t any cars on the island– just golf carts.

The view from the ferry as we pulled up to the island

We stayed with Riley’s family at a beach house and it was a full house with 5 of her 6 younger siblings, plus friends they invited, and Riley’s parents. It was a fun set-up since we could spend some time with the whole group for meals and at nighttime, and then Riley and I did our own thing sometimes, too.

As soon as we got to the house, we changed into our suits and headed to the beach.

We spent a few hours in the ocean before coming in to shower and eat a late dinner.

PJs before dinner

Her dad and step-mom put together an awesome meal that included grilled burgers, veggie dogs, and portobello mushroom caps, watermelon, and corn. Riley also brought her own salad ingredients for the two of us so we could put together a quick salad to go with our lunches and dinners.

Riley and I enjoyed our dinner outside on the screened-in back porch with a beautiful view of the sunset and finished off the meal with a few squares of dark chocolate.

On day #2, Riley and I were up early to run before the heat of the day. We didn’t participate but we did run by a “Turtle Trot” 5k that was going on.

Both of us are major oatmeal lovers so we after we stretched and did some quick core work (she’s a good influence on me), we had our customary breakfast of oatmeal (+ cinnamon & raisins) together.

Then, we changed into our suits to hit the beach for the rest of the day, aside from a quick break for lunch. My beach day #2 and #3 breakfasts and lunches were identical– oatmeal for breakfast and then a grilled cheese, salad, and a handful of crackers for lunch.

No place like the beach for a grilled cheese SANDwich ?

A photo posted by Liv Bane (@livbane) on Jun 9, 2016 at 10:35am PDT

We spent most of our time at the beach swimming in the ocean, although I took a break once or twice to lie out and read on the sand. The waves were big and the beach was uncrowded, just the way I like it. 

I love days at the beach because I never feel like I’m exercising, yet at the end of each day, I’m totally wiped out from swimming in the ocean, walking on the beach, and staying in the sun.

Day #2 at the beach included dinner at the marina and ice cream– oatmeal ice cream at sunset, to be specific.My other favorite beach activities included bike rides, long walks on the sand, and card games and movies at night. It was a blast and I was sad to have to leave a couple of days early on Thursday afternoon (beach day #3) to drive home to Raleigh.

BUT, I was really excited for my drive to Arkansas that started Friday morning because it took me through Tennessee, and I got to spend a few days with my boyfriend’s family (we met at UNC and he’s from Tennessee). It was fun to see him after being apart for a month, and really great to meet his family.

After a few days in Tennessee, I left on Monday morning and arrived to my grandparents’ house in Arkansas on Monday night after one final 7 hour drive. Then, my internship started Tuesday morning. Phew, I think that catches us up!

So tell me…
What have you been up to this summer?
What’s your favorite beach you’ve been to?
My extended family used to go to Hilton Head every summer growing up, so that area still has a special place in my heart. I loved all of the bike trails!
What are your favorite oatmeal toppings?
I love cinnamon, raisins & almond milk for my everyday oats, or if I’m a little on the hungrier side, a scoop of peanut butter or almond butter or a small handful of nuts is great, too.