This weekend I decided to head out of Chapel Hill/Carrboro and spend some time in Wilmington.  That’s NC for those of you who didn’t know.  Of all the historical port cities of the south, it’s the smallest (I think) and the least well known.  It shares a lot of characteristics of Charleston and Savannah, but it’s totally different in its own unique ways.  While Charleston is characterized by its elegant plantations and Savannah its rich and often turbulent history (it’s one of the few cities to be directly involved in every single American war), Wilmington has largely stayed unnoticed by the masses.  But don’t let that fool you, Wilmington never disappoints those seeking out its hidden treasures.

Most of the time I come down here, I never set foot downtown or get the chance to just stroll around taking in the atmosphere.  This Saturday I did just that and my leisurely stroll through North Carolina’s port city was exactly what I needed.  A good cup of ice coffee, a warm sunny day, and no time constraints left my mind free to observe and explore. If you have never just spent the afternoon exploring, you will be amazed at the small and obscure things you notice.  It’s even more fascinating when you do it in a place you feel you know.

A construction site surrounded by a fence filled with keys. Other than the sound it makes, it's easily missed by the majority of people. This boy was fascinated by the situation... as was I. I was totally missing my DSLR!