Moved from Wilmington, NC to Punta Gorda, FL (SW Florida, on the gulf) in 2004, one week after hurricane Charley hit. Despite the summer heat and threatening weather conditions, it's a beautiful place to live. Our condo was on a canal which lead directly into Charlotte Harbor then into the Gulf of Mexico. There are wonderful views from here of the harbor, and we've seen dolphins swimming in the canal from our back yard. We've also witnessed a few waterspouts in the harbor (check out my photos) and the sunsets are colorful and breathtaking. While boating we've discovered small islands where we can sunbathe, fish and collect shells. I was thankful every day for all the beauty that surrounded us. Living here was almost like paradise.

Fast forward to 2020... I moved back to North Carolina in 2007 and have been here ever since. Wilmington is on the coast where there are beautiful beaches making it a popular vacation spot that people flock to in the summer, renting all available hotels, motels, houses and rooms, making traffic a nightmare. Besides the beaches this wonderful town offers plenty of places to go and things to do that will keep the entire family entertained.

Due to health issues I don’t get out as much as I used to but coming from New Jersey originally, I’m grateful for our milder weather, so I figure I’m here to stay.