We are back and digging out from our laundry piles…. But it was definitely worth it to walk in the sand and dip our toes in the sea! Last Wednesday we made our way down south to Atlantic beach for four days and three nights- a last second summer getaway. As I shared earlier this week, my in laws go to this partuclar beach and hotel a few times a year and after a few invitations we were finally able to join them.
September 2016
Traveling used to be a little more of an adventure for us. Danny especially would be the one planning the sightseeing – an aquarium, a favorite hike, or maybe even just a Cape Cod league baseball game. It could be big or small, always just some sort of outing, or in Heppes speak: a looney trip, to explore our destination! These days just heading out of the house for a long day away requires a few extra bags and some planning (even Dan needed IV fluids at the ER on Monday to recover some energy). So as we gathered all of our stuff Tuesday night we wondered what the heck we were doing for just a few days, but we pressed on and we’re thrilled when we found ourselves relaxing by the water.
September 2016
What made it really fun though was having Quinlan. The Atlantis hotel is designed to have your dog enjoy the beach. Dogs are welcomed on the beach all day long, there are dog washing stations, and it seemed like all of the guests of the hotel were very well versed in doggy etiquette! We were nervous because Quinlan still has a lot of trouble being friendly (read: growl, scratch the ground, bear his teeth, and try to bite anything that gets between him and another dog- like our legs), but everyone was very accustomed to asking if a pup was friendly and we had no problems!
September 2016
September 2016
September 2016
So the hotel was ready for us, but we wondered if Quinlan would be ready for the beach. Two Augusts ago we had taken him to Cape Cod for two weeks and the ocean was a big no no! He would bark at it and maybe bite at the surf a little – but the rocks and cold water were not his thing. However the warm and sandy beaches of North Carolina were a completely different story… He LOVED it!
September 2016
September 2016
September 2016
That first evening walking on the beach he jumped right in – running and playing in the surf, chasing birds, following the waves back into the ocean- we were very pleasantly surprised (and unexpectedly wet since I had to chase after him into the water at once point)!
September 2016
September 2016
September 2016
The very next morning Quinlan and I took a long walk along the beach and he was diving in and out of the water like no big thing until a bit of a deceiving wave rolled right under him, picking up his whole body and demanding his little legs to doggy paddle to safety. This was the first lesson in water safety for Quin and after that moment he did tend to be a little more careful. But even without so much water time there was still lots of digging, sun bathing, and bird watching to help pass the time. He was a happy little pup that was starving for his dinner and sacked out every evening like clockwork!
September 2016
Danny and I also got a lot of time to sit and read, chat about the fall, and imagine what life might look like this time next year. It’s always so easy to reevaluate life when your out of your element. We even worked some and it felt like no big deal, since the ocean was always in our view! It was a great trip and made even more unique because we felt like we had been cast in a Madman special. The hotel was so charming and quaint, but right out of the 60s! The bright colors, the simple bedroom decor, and the open breeze ways were something we had never experienced in a hotel before, but it made for a more memorable experience and provided the perfecting setting for the relaxed vibe that I seemed to find!
September 2016
September 2016
September 2016
All in all we had a great trip and if you are looking for a mini getaway with your pet to the Outer Banks we highly recommend a stop in The Atlantis!
September 2016
September 2016
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September 2016
Summer 2016 you have been an interesting rollar coaster, but we are grateful to end on such a high note! Cheers to fall!
September 2016
Thank you so much for reading and remember to make it a great day!
Jackie
Have A Little Faith in We 
Love this account of your great time! As we have discussed, Atlantis is such a real beach experience. So happy you got there and Quin is too! Wonderful pics!
Try to have a slow re-entry to the silly real world! Hugs, blessings and love! Tama
On Sep 12, 2016 11:45 PM, “Have A Little Faith in We” wrote:
> jacbessette posted: “We are back and digging out from our laundry > piles…. But it was definitely worth it to walk in the sand and dip our > toes in the sea! Last Wednesday we made our way down south to Atlantic > beach for four days and three nights- a last second summer getaway” >
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Thanks, Tama! It was just as fun as you said…. And as always, I left wondering why we don’t live in NC- you guys are doing it right!! XOXO
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Sounds like the perfect break for the Bessette family. I bet it would be great in the fall.
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It was really great and I didn’t know how much we needed until we got there! Walker would have loved it too!!
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