Local’s Summer in Wilmington
aka the month of september
What is local’s summer? It’s that golden window in Wilmington where the tourists head home, but the sun still shines. The beaches return to those of us who live here, the traffic cuts in half, and suddenly your favorite restaurants don’t require a 45-minute wait. For us, local’s summer is September.
A Not-So-Local Start
This year, mine began a little less local, as I took a spontaneous trip to visit my bestie in Raleigh. We spent the weekend playing tourists: exploring Dorothea Dix Park complete with funny mirrors, musical displays, and an over-the-top jungle gym. We ventured to La Gana, a quirky burger concept restaurant where I consumed the largest French fry of my life, a wagyu smashburger, and a delectable piece of mango cake that hit your nose long before your tastebuds. We also checked out Bluebird in Chapel Hill where where I was out-ordered by both of my friends. The Croque Madame (grilled ham and cheese, sauce mornay, fried egg) and the Saumon Irlandais (herb-rubbed Irish salmon, marble potatoes, lemon garlic butter) far surpassed my Steak Frites (seared New York strip, french fries, sauce perigueux). We made Pinterest-inspired oil pastel art and watched movies on her over-sized couch.
But the real highlight of my visit? Seeing Fudge play live at He’s Not Here. We first stumbled across this band a year ago when I was helping her move into town. Then, almost a year later, the weekend I happen to be in Raleigh they made their return to that same venue. Kismet. A mix of original songs and covers, this band packed out the bar and had us singing along and dancing the night away with oversized cups in our hands.
Turtle Season (Extended Edition)
This year’s turtle season in Wrightsville Beach extended into September thanks to a record-breaking number of Green Sea Turtle nests in North Carolina. Usually, the season wraps up by the end of August, but the state asked us to walk two extra weeks in search of any late nests.
Additionally, I sat with Nest Two making for plenty of warm nights under the stars. Next to good company, and eager to see some turtles, volunteers sat with the nest for over three weeks. By Day 74, after no hatchlings emerged, we excavated it. Unfortunately, none of the hatchlings made it. A tough outcome, but still part of the reality of conservation work and doesn’t negate the community and hope we had each and every night as we waited for them.
Vance Joy & Front Row Magic
No local’s summer is complete without a concert, and this year, I saw Vance Joy at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. An intimate venue packed out with eager fans buzzing with energy for the main act. Mid-show, he disappeared from the main stage and popped up on a small platform in the middle of the crowd. We ran (bolted, really) to find him and ended up front row. He performed three songs mere feet away. He was so close all I needed to do was reach out my arm and I would be touching the guitar he performed on.
Returning to the main stage, we got a taste for a new unreleased song and he closed with Riptide taking me straight back to summer car rides. By far, the best concert of my life as his vocals were unparalleled.
The Perfect Beach Day
The best beach day of the year also came during this month.
Visibility: Unreal. (At least 10–15 feet.)
Tide: Low.
Waves: Flat.
Vibes: Immaculate.
Midway through, we dashed home (leaving our chairs) to pick up goggles after spotting fish swimming nearby. When we returned, we were up close and personal with bright blue and orange striped fish, sand-eating fish with black dots on the tips of their tails, the teeniest jellyfish riding a wave, schools of glass minnows just below the surface, and swirls of orange algae.
The water was perfection: cool enough to refresh, and warm enough to welcome you back. There is nothing more special than low tide on Wrightsville Beach.
Sunrise Count: 4
Between turtles and visits from friends, I’ve racked up four sunrises for this month. Each one more stunning than the last. There’s something sacred about watching the world wake up over the ocean. Pristine. Peaceful. Inspiring. God created a beautiful world for all if us, and each sunrise is a reminder of how lucky I am to live in a place like this.
Local Girlies & The Summer I Turned Pretty
September also brought the series finale of The Summer I Turned Pretty. A favorite show of mine filmed right here in Wilmington. I loved recognizing all the locations they filmed at and knowing that I sat in that very chair I see on screen or walked through those very doors that Belly just went through!
I put my cake decorating skills to use and made a custom vintage “Team Conrad” cake for a watch party I was having with friends. Who knows, maybe I’ll run into the stars when they start filming the movie.
a tiny print Debut!!
This month showcased the debut of my art print vending machine: a tiny print! I cannot tell you all how excited I was for this. Huge shoutout to Fermental for hosting their annual Arts and Drafts show and letting my machine be a part of it.
I was inspired by the beautiful coastal aspects of Wilmington which spurred the designs for a tiny print. I was so grateful for the opportunity to debut it in front of some locals and I can’t wait to find a permanent home for it.
And just like that, another local’s summer in Wilmington comes to a close.
From late-night concerts and oversized French fries to pool victories and sunrise walks, this month was full of the kinds of moments you don’t always plan for but will never forget. And if you’ve spent the month of September here, you know exactly what I mean.
So, whether you’re soaking in the last warm waves or already counting down to next year’s quieter season, just know that Wilmington saves some of her best days for September.