Battleship North Carolina

Last week (or maybe it was two by now...bad blogger) Ryan and I decided to both take leave and recreate our lost Labor Day Weekend. We had so many plans of local things we wanted to do before Ryan started his SDA (Secondary Duty Assignment) and a regular weekend just was not going to cut it. So we took off Thursday and Friday as well as a normal weekend. Thursday we used to clean the house, do laundry, and any other chores we normally do on a weekend. Thursday the guys in Ryan's shop also decided to throw him his going away dinner so it was nice to go to that as well.

 

 

So Friday we slept in a little bit and then drove down to Wilmington to see the USS Battleship North Carolina. All I have to say is thank goodness we went on a random Friday. There were still some people touring the boat, but it wasn't packed. We managed to see the entire boat, top to bottom, in about two and a half hours and explore every nook and cranny that we wanted to. If we had been here Labor Day Weekend I am sure it would have been packed and not as enjoyable, especially since Ryan is not too fond of crowds in small places. Can't blame him for that! So a blessing in disguise for sure.

 

Looking out to aim the guns

 

It was harder than I thought to align the scope!

 

 

As you can see from the pictures, it is pretty empty! It almost looks like we have the ship entirely to ourselves. When we went through the Engine Rooms we actually didn't even run into anyone else, but it could have been since it was close to closing.

 

 

After we explored the Battleship we crossed the bridge to have dinner in downtown Wilmington. We hit the timing just right because we got a prime parking spot and managed to get seats at a restaurant that we always failed to get seated at previously. We even got balcony tables with a view of the Battleship! Score!

 

 

The food was delicious... Arancini (rice balls that we first tried in Sicily), an avocado caprese salad, spinach ravioli (for me) and fish and chips (for Ryan)... oh yum.

 

Our table was the balcony right above the red awning on the side of the building.

 

 

We then got to watch a gorgeous sunset behind the Battleship over the river as we enjoyed some ice cream. The smell of ice cream cones hit you square in the face as soon as you turned on to the street, so it was nearly impossible to say no regardless of how full we were.

 

All in all, a wonderful day. 



Mom's Visit

My mom made the seven hour trip to come see me act in the show and it was great to have some time with her! We managed to do a nice bit of shopping and my mantle looks so wonderfully fall-y right now!

I also got some nice fall sweaters and plaid shirts that I have been wearing regardless of the 80 degree weather.

My mom came to the show Saturday and on Sunday she stayed home and set the mantle up for me. We all went to Texas Roadhouse Sunday night for dinner and celebrated with a nice big drink!

Monday we hung around the house and I fianlly got to sleep in a bit. I did a quick commissary run and we then drove down to Surf City to have a late lunch/early dinner at Buddy's. There was practically no one there and we got a choice table right on the ocean side deck.

The view from our table. Pretty spectacular. After we filled up on crab legs (my usual) and delicious New England Clam Chowder we took a walk down the beach. Tons of people were out fishing and we had a really great evening with a spectacular sunset.

 Evidence of my new plaid shirt! It worked at the water as it did get cooler as the sun went down.

While we were at the beach my mom presented me with a business idea for the two of us. My dad is in the same boat as Ryan and we have a pretty good idea in mind. We have some research to do but I am excited for the first time in ages about even the possibility. If it works out I will be sure to fill you all in! Fingers crossed for us!

Tuesday we went and got pedicures and then drove into New Bern. We spoiled Rylie a bit and got her some things for her birthday and we had a really good breakfast for lunch. At home I made my first ever roast chicken and we all had a great dinner together before I went to ballet.

My mom left yesterday morning and Ryan left for Louisiana to visit his best friend last night. For the first time in seven weeks I am home, not at rehearsal, and my husband is gone :P Go figure. I already am bored as can be and dont know what to do with myself. Ugh. I had plans to meet up with people this weekend but with Hurricane Sandy possibly coming through that may not work out.

And today Rylie girl is ONE! The Dup is officially stepping out of puppydom... sort of. We celebrated before Ryan left and gave her some yummy treats and a cute birthday bandana.

She was pretty excited!

Well.... that is all for now I suppose. Glad my blog is finally slowly coming back to life. I even wrote my first spousebuzz article in ages. Check it out!