Vacation and Running

Last week, we visited a friend in Kure Beach, North Carolina. Kure Beach is located on a island sandwiched between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean about 30 minutes from Wilmington, North Carolina.

Kure Beach is on the bottom half of the island and is about 3.5 miles long.  Kure Beach is mostly residential ending with Fort Fisher and the ferry to Southport.  One of the nicest features about Kure is that no building is allowed to be over 3 stories high and there are only local businesses in Kure.  Carolina Beach is the other half of the island and there are some high rise hotels along with fast food however it is still very lovely.

Kure is also known for its fishing pier and there is a new oceanfront park which was finished last year.  It is the only beach on the East Coast that doesn't charge for daily parking.  Here are some pictures where I ran short runs.  

Kure Beac Pier

Kure Beach Pier

Waterfront Park for Kure Beach

Waterfront Park for Kure Beach

Kure Beach "Boardwalk"

On one of my longer runs (16 miles), I went from one end of the island to the other and ended at Fort Fisher.  Fort Fisher is a Civil War fort at the end of the island.  Look at the way the trees have grown due to the winds from the ocean!

Trees at Fort Fisher

Another day, I ran to Fort Fisher and took the ferry to Southport.  I love the ferry because it is about 25-30 minute boat ride and you can take your car. North Carolina ferry system is the second largest in the country.  I had forgotten however that it is 2 miles into Southport once you arrive and had already ran 5 miles so I had 2 more to do and then ran around Southport before catching the ferry back to Kure Beach.  Southport is known for his lovely southern houses along with movies/tv shows.  Several shows/films shot in Southport are Under the Dome, Safe Haven, Revenge, The Secret Life of Bees.  I love Southport especially the houses.  I loved running here a couple of days.  

Southport Ferry

Cars on Ferry

Kure Beach Ferry -returning to Kure

Christmas House in Southport

Southport Park

Some of the homes in Southport

A home in Southport

Another home in Southport

I also went into Wilmington one evening to a fun run at Try Sports http://www.trysports.com/page/index.  I loved the staff and people and we even went out afterwards to a local restaurant!  I never thought that I would bring my love of running into a vacation but it was so much fun!  How have you incorporated running into a vacation?  This was my first "running" vacation but it won't be my last!