Kure Beach and Coquina Outcroppings, North Carolina

My last stop before meeting my friends in Oak Island was the Wilmington area. I had heard about some interesting things to do in the area and thought I might have been interested but once I got there I went straight to the beach. A week in the hot, humid south had caused my motivation to vanish, leaving me with a desire only to swim. So I headed to Kure Beach, where I floated in perfect 75 degree water in between short walks around the pier and reading in the sun. In the afternoon I even mustered enough energy to walk on the pier itself. Just the kind of day I was looking for.

By evening I found myself refreshed and took a walk near Fort Fisher in an attempt to see the coquina outcroppings there. On the way I stopped to explore the gnarled live oaks near the shore. I have seen examples of windswept trees before but these were exceptionally picturesque: