Where's Nicholas Sparks?

     I have discovered that the key to any deployment is staying busy. Busy can be defined as reading a book or even going on a mini adventure. This week, that is exactly what I did. The best worst idea I had this past week was to read The Lucky One. It's a fantastic book to read, but reading any romantic book during a deployment ends up with me sobbing having tears in my eyes. 
     I am a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks. It's one big reason why I love living in North Carolina. I recognize all of the towns in his books. Specifically, New Bern. New Bern is only about forty minutes from the lovely Camp Lejeune. So, my good friend Tricia and I decided to head there this past Friday to see how lovely this place really was. I mean Nicholas Sparks calls it home, so it must be something really special. Though, we were slightly disappointed by the fact that we secretly hoped to catch a glimpse of the amazing author and didn't. The town itself did not disappoint.

Tricia and I while taking a break along the water

 because everyone needs a picture by a pretty fountain

 I've tried to convince Matthew a million times that this is my dream house

 And this is Tricia's dream house

 The beautiful streets of New Bern

 Tryon Palace, well "The Governors Palace", but beautiful none the less. 

 New Bern is filled with homes like this 

 because her last name is Webb! 

overlooking the water

      Like I said, New Bern did not disappoint. If I could just pick up the down and move it a little closer to family, I would live my entire life there. I can see it now, Matthew and I growing old in rocking chairs on the front porch of a house that I love. Not to mention, it's full of history. Fun fact number one, it was the birth place of Pepsi. You can even see he exact store where it was discovered. I can see why Nicholas Sparks fell in love with the place. It's the perfect American town. Tricia and I are definitely planning tons of date nights in the sleepy little town with the boys return.