Cape Charles Series: A Journey Back to Myself | Part 2 of 5
Sometimes the best adventures begin with one unexpected text message.
If you’re just joining me, this post is part of my Cape Charles series. In my first post, I shared why I almost cancelled this trip – and why saying yes turned out to be exactly what my nervous system needed. If you haven’t read it yet, I’d love for you to start there before continuing this story. I Almost Cancelled This Trip: Why I’m So Glad I Went to Cape Charles
After settling into the Little Pink House, I decided it was time to grab some dinner.
When you’re by the water, and you love seafood.
You eat seafood.
There really isn’t any other choice.
This is when you get the best of the best!
Dinner at The Shanty
I made my way to The Shanty, an amazing waterfront restaurant overlooking the marina. Boats gently rocked in the harbor while the evening sun danced across the water. There was a salty breeze coming off the bay, and everyone around me looked like they had nowhere else they’d rather be. I couldn’t have agreed more.
I immediately thought…
“Yep. This is exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
The wait for a table was about an hour.
One advantage of traveling solo (which I highly recommend, by the way) is that I didn’t have to wait.
I grabbed a seat at the bar.
Honestly…
It ended up being the best seat in the house.
Perfect seat.
Perfect view.
One of my favorite parts about sitting at a bar while traveling is that conversations happen naturally.
“Are you local?”
“No? Where are you from?”
Before you know it, you’re swapping stories with strangers as if you’ve known each other for years.
I love that.
Some people travel to see new places.
I travel for the people, too.
I ordered a delicious crab cake for dinner, paired it with a coconut mojito (highly recommend), and naturally…finished the evening with a key lime bar for dessert.
Because if key lime is on the menu…
I’m ordering it.
I had no idea the best part of my evening was still waiting for me.
An Unexpected Text Message
Right in the middle of dinner, my phone buzzed.
It was my Airbnb hostess.
She asked if North and I would be interested in visiting a private beach owned by a friend of hers the following morning.
Friend…
There wasn’t even a second of hesitation.
“Oh my gosh!! Heck yes!! Thank you so much!!”
I smiled so big reading her message.
I remember thinking, “Wow, this is so kind of her!”
Then my mind immediately went to North.
This meant no waking up before sunrise to beat the dog restrictions at Cape Charles Beach.
North would get to spend as much time as she wanted splashing in the water.
No crowds.
No time limit.
Just my girl getting to enjoy the beach.
I couldn’t wait to tell her.
Why I Didn’t Hesitate
Now I know some of you are probably reading this thinking…
“Christine…you did what?”
So let’s address the obvious.
Did I know this friend of hers?
Nope.
Did I even really know my hostess?
Also nope.
Did that stop me?
Not even a little.
Now before you think I’ve completely lost my mind, let me explain.
Here’s what I do know.
It has always been the least expected moments…
The unknown.
The uncertain.
The unplanned.
Those are the moments that have created some of the best experiences of my life.
I’ve learned that if I spend my life saying no simply because something feels unfamiliar, I’ll probably miss out on some incredible opportunities.
This felt different.
It didn’t feel reckless.
It felt kind.
And sometimes you just know the difference.
So…
Why not?
Sometimes the Best Adventures Aren’t Planned
The more I travel, the more I realize something.
The memories I treasure the most were never part of the itinerary.
They’re the conversations I didn’t expect.
The scenic road I almost didn’t take.
The little restaurant I stumbled upon by accident.
The people who crossed my path at exactly the right time.
And now…
A private beach invitation from someone I’d only known for less than a full day.
Life has a funny way of rewarding us when we’re willing to stay open to the unexpected.
Looking back now, I don’t think this invitation was just about a beach.
It was a reminder that there is still so much kindness in this world.
Sometimes all we have to do is be willing to receive it.
The Quiet Evening Before Everything Changed
I couldn’t wait to get back to the Little Pink House and tell North our new plans.
When I opened the door, there she was…
Completely sprawled across the beautiful blush pink bedding.
She had already made herself right at home.
I laughed.
Typical North.
Instead of turning on the TV or reaching for my phone, I decided we’d spend the rest of the evening outside.
There were two swivel chairs.
A little table.
And a hammock.
The hammock was calling my name…
So of course, I accepted the invitation.
North wandered around the yard with her favorite toy in her mouth, sniffing every inch of the land and making sure every suspicious bug knew she was on duty.
This is North.
Always protecting her momma.
Yes, even from the bugs.
The hostess had thoughtfully placed a wooden privacy fence between our little space and her backyard.
It was just enough separation to make it feel like we were the only ones there.
This…
This was exactly the kind of peace I had been searching for.
No phone.
Zero people.
Zilch noise.
Just me.
North.
And the quiet.
The two of us sat there enjoying the evening, completely unaware of what tomorrow would bring.
Reflections
Looking back now…
I think that’s the moment this trip became unforgettable.
We had no idea what waited for us down a quiet gravel road the following morning.
At that moment, all I knew was this…
We weren’t waking up at 6:30 AM to beat the beach restrictions.
We’d have an entire private beach completely to ourselves.
No crowds.
No time limit.
Just me and my girl.
The real adventure begins now.
Next up: North’s Perfect Beach Day
A quiet gravel road. A private beach. And one of the happiest days I’ve ever watched unfold.
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