North Carolina Summer 2016-- Part 5: Hanging Out at Topsail Beach, N.C.

July 24-July 26

I certainly enjoy driving over to either the Jolly Roger Pier or Godwin's every morning to buy my copy of the Wilmington Star-News, then coming back to the condo and having coffee and reading it on the front porch and listening to the ocean across the street.  Being on what is called the Second Row, we have Ocean Boulevard, a line of Front Row cottages and then dunes across the street between us and the ocean.

I have obviously been keeping up with the blogs, but plan to stop Wi-Fi, land phone and cable service at the condo before I leave.

It has been excessively hot with temps every day in the upper 90s, which has kept me inside a lot.   Just too hot to be outside much.  Not bad on the beach though as there always is a good breeze.

I go out and walk the beach looking for shells and "lima beans,"  rocks that have been polished into that shape by thousands of years in the ocean.  I wade in the water and often bring a chair and sit out by ocean.  Just love the sound of the surf rolling in.

Little Ol' Beach Bum Me.  --RoadDog

Here's a Senior Idea: A Cruise Instead of A Living Facility

As I fast approach the days of being classified as a senior citizen, I occasionally will pick up a publication for that group of people. I like to look at bus trips and vacation offerings.

I picked up the June Chicagoland's Senior News a while back and just got around to reading it. I found an interesting article about a woman who has come up with a novel and interesting way to provide herself with assisted living.

Columnist Tait Trussell was on a Princess Cruise Line boat, and saw an elderly lady whom the staff all seemed to know very well. He asked the waiter about her and found that she had been on the last four cruises back-to-back.

He had a chance to meet her and asked why she spent so much time on the boat. She replied right away saying this was far cheaper than a nursing home or assisted living.

She continued: As long as I'm not too old and feeble, I'm going to be riding cruise ships. The annual cost of the living facility I checked out would have cost me $73,000 a year. I have checked the long-term cruise reservations and senior discount, and can pay only $135 a day for an inside cabin. That's a little over $49,000 for a year of cruises."

Sounds like she's on to a great idea and I will definitely keep this under consideration.

Last summer, my mom was nice enough to treat the family to a trip on board a Princess ship. This was my first time on a cruise and I have never been treated so well and had so much great food. Plus, there is all the great entertainment, activities, and shore excusions.

Let's See, cruising on a boat, or stuck in a nursing home. HHhhhhmmmmnnn.

Having a Senior Moment. --RoadDog