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I am considering taking dd to North Carolina to visit MIL


Anne in CA
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My MIL is 72, she has had a bad fall and the doctor told her dh that he does not think the vertebrae that she cracked will completely heal. Her health has never been good since I have known her. Doctors said she had fibromialge (sp?) for years and it turned out she has a rare circulatory condition that could have been treated if it had been correctly diagnosed, but instead it progressed. All this to say that 13yo dd may not find grandma fun, but grandma feels badly that 13yo dd does not know her as well as the older kids.

 

To keep them from getting too bored I would like to take grandma and dd to the beach.Grandma LOVES the beach and her dh will not go, so it would be maybe her last opportunity to go. Is this reasonable? Dh thinks this is a good idea. Is it a good idea to take a 13yo and a fragile woman to the beach? It would have to be ocean front (expensive) for MIL to really enjoy since she has trouble with even small walks.

 

Part of me thinks this is crazy, dd and MIL do not know each other that well, and dd is not a mellow 13yo, she is moody and distant. MIL's health problems are REAL and I am not a nurse. Just staying in MIL's house is not an option. Her dh only works part time and smokes like a chimney. The smoke in their house is unbearable.

 

And if you think it is a good idea does anyone know of a cheap beach side house to rent the last week of May before Memorial Day? I have Worldmark, but they have nothing in NC. I work for a large hotel chain with many properties that have a wonderful employee discount in NC, but none on the beach as far as I can see from the company website so I think I would have to rent something or drive to SC to use the Worldmark properties there.

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I really like your plan! But what does your dd think? Is she able to get on board "being nice to grandma" for the duration of the trip?

 

Anne

 

Assuming cost isn't a completely inhibiting factor, the above would be my first question. Depending on the teen girl, this could make or break a well-meaning trip. :)

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Check out the beaches in the area you are thinking of staying at. Here in Michigan our 2 local state parks have special boardwalks and wheelchairs with huge tires designed to help the elderly/disabled get down to the beach. Rental fees are free or minimal.

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There is a lovely beach house in Emerald Isle, NC that is ocean front & fairly reasonable in price- Google "Give Me A Break Emerald Isle Realty" to see it. Emerald Isle is very laid back & yet there is plenty to do if you want to get out. Also, we've used vrbo.com with great success, numerous times. And I am always seeing good deals on groupon & living social- you might check those out for deals as well. I think this is a wonderful idea- I hope you have a great time!

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Thanks for the replies. MIL lives in Raleigh, so a trip to the coast takes a few hours so I am open to anything at this point. The Emerald Island place sounds neat. Really I have no preference as to what part of the coast we visit because I have only been to the beach there once and I only remember that we drove farther past Wilmington than I thought we would to get there. I don't have an infinite budget for such a trip, but I can make it happen if I spend less than $200 a day that we are at the coast. I'm thinking five days four nights at the coast and somehow we will tough out a few days at her smoke filled house. In late May we should be able to open the windows without sweating to death?

 

ETA: Teen girl understands why we should put Grandma first right now. I hope that will be enough to keep her sweet. She can be a doll when she wants to be but I just took her for a week with a friend and she was reserved with my friend and her children, because she really just wanted to be in front of the TV. I am soooo tired of her being in love with pop culture, but hoping she will grow out of it.

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I think it is a great idea.

 

We like Topsail beach a lot. There are good seafood restaurants and uncrowded beaches, definitely a family beach without the neon signs and rides, etc.

 

We used Treasure Realty for a beachfront duplex rental (check their specials).

 

Another favorite is Southport and Oak Island, NC. Southport has a quaint downtown with antique stores and good restaurants.

 

 

We liked Lois Jane's: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g49552-d80642-Reviews-Lois_Jane_s_Riverview_Inn-Southport_North_Caolina.html

 

Topsail is better if you want a beachfront home because you want to hear and see the ocean and want a full kitchen.

 

Southport is better if you want a view of the water and want to have easy access to walking around to the stores and restaurants.

 

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And if you think it is a good idea does anyone know of a cheap beach side house to rent the last week of May before Memorial Day? I have Worldmark, but they have nothing in NC. I work for a large hotel chain with many properties that have a wonderful employee discount in NC, but none on the beach as far as I can see from the company website so I think I would have to rent something or drive to SC to use the Worldmark properties there.

 

 

 

If you are going to the Outer Banks in NC (Nags Head, Hatteras, etc) and want cheap(er), go the week of May 18. We're going that week to go before the rates go up. We like Hatteras because it's less crowded than Nags Head. It's a farther drive. I really don't know how prices work out, which one's cheaper.

 

On Hatteras Island, look at Midgettrealty.com or Surforsound.com. Their houses are slightly cheaper than the ones at Hatterasrealty.com. The villages from north to south, the way most of us drive, are Rodanthe, Waves, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras. (I think.) Buxton is a haul from Nags Head, at least it feels like it. And the Hatteras is 1/2 hour south of Buxton. I've stayed in Waves and Buxton and now this summer in Avon. They are all nice.

 

I bet we have ladies on here that live there. If not ask me. I'll help where I can.

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Thank you for the information. I am just clueless about the east coast all together, lol. We did have a wonderful time at the NC beach a few years ago, but MIL planned that trip and I was just along for the ride. I don't even remember the name of the town or beach we went to. I do remember that the water was warm though!

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