I am in Wilmington, North Carolina, sitting in a small condo on Water Street overlooking the Cape Fear River. The Cape Fear River meanders through this quaint old port city before spilling into the Atlantic. From this living room I have a constant view of a World War II battleship, the USS North Carolina, docked as it is in a park straight across the river from the balcony where I am sitting. A fog is lifting over the river as pieces of a sunset fire up the feathery clouds floating across the water.

Cape Fear River

I have never been to this part of North Carolina, but I have been acutely aware of it for most of the last 30 years. My first serious boyfriend, from way back in college, came here to live immediately after we broke up. No, I didn’t come here to see him, though I would have liked that.  I came to see my daughter. She is working in a wilderness camp program for juveniles nearby. I came to spend some excellent time with her, but, it is strange how these personal connections thread through your life, and then float to the surface years later. I feel like I know this place. I have been to Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. It shares that unique blend of history, southern flavor, and the Atlantic sea shore vibe that is so appealing.

I have split my time between Wrightsville Beach and the historic downtown water front. Both adventures were equal pleasure.

At Johnny Mercer Pier

Wrightsville Beach is one of a series of beaches that stretch along the southern tip of the state that also includes Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Oak Island, Carswell Beach, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach. Keep heading south and you run into South Carolina’s famous Myrtle Beach. The beaches are lush and clean and were really invigorating in the cold chill of February. It was great to watch the surfers brave the waves in their wet suits. The days were sunny, so lots of locals were out with their pets and sweatshirts. It was lovely, especially shared with my daughter and my hometown friend, Betty. Betty moved here this year after marrying her long time friend.

Betty and Lydia on Wrightsville Beach

I am partial to historic downtowns and Wilmington has one of the largest at 300 city blocks, many with cobblestone streets. It was named a top twelve Distinctive Destination in 2008. A mile long boardwalk stretches along the riverfront. Rehabilitated buildings and warehouses, dating back to the 1700s, now house businesses, shops, restaurants, and movie studios. There is a booming film industry here. Think Nicholas Sparks and One Tree Hill. Maybe you remember the movie, “Cape Fear?” It was a 1991 Martin Scorsese thriller starring Robert DeNiro and Juliette Lewis. Very scary. The young girl trapped on a boat with a desperate killer. I remember it well.

The atmosphere is romantic and relaxing. The land rises from the river to a 50 foot ridge that overlooks the river. Centuries old Greek Revival and Colonial style homes perch above the river. I am partial to that style home.

This leads me to another reason I’ve always wanted to visit Wilmington.

The Greek Revival home my former husband and I built in Magnolia, Texas was designed by Wilmington architect William Poole. He called the design Saratoga Springs. It was a very special home, partly because it was my children’s childhood home, partly because it was nearly one of a kind. I’ve not seen another anywhere except in a Chico clothing catalogue photo shoot. But mostly, it was, and is, quite simply, a thing of beauty. I called it my cool drink of water. I had always thought if I made it to Wilmington I wanted to see this same house in its natural environment, North Carolina!

As fate would have it, the William Poole Architect home office is located two blocks from where I sit right now. It was closed this weekend, but bright and early this morning I found my way to Poole’s doorstep. The office was locked, but by chance a delivery truck arrived and someone came to the door. They even let me in! I told the young woman there my story and she told me that one Saratoga Springs had been built in Wilmington. She gave me directions to locate it. Then she suggested I tell Mr. Poole my story. He was walking in the door. So I did. I had the chance to thank this nationally known architect for my beautiful home. In return he gave me an autographed rendering of the Saratoga Springs, which I shall frame immediately. I didn’t break down, but I tell you, I was fighting back tears. I still don’t know why this house affects me so.

Well, my friend Betty and I spent a great deal of time driving around in the pouring rain to find this house. We never did, but we had fun trying. Betty has taken on the goal of finding it before I return to Wilmington to see my girl. Betty knows this house. She knew me first when I lived there. It’s really okay that we didn’t find the house. I get to take it home with me, and I got to share my story with the architect. It was obvious that he appreciated what his life work meant to a family in far away Texas.

You never know whose lives you touch. Then, every once in awhile, you do.

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