North Carolina
What it was like vacationing with my family at Carolina Beach | Madison Lipe
Although I’m originally from North Carolina and have been coming to the coast since I was little, one of the beaches my family never went to when I was growing up was Carolina Beach. From what I can remember, we went to Nags Head and Avon in the Outer Banks, Brunswick County beaches, specifically Holden Beach, and Wrightsville Beach maybe once or twice.
When I moved to Wilmington in January and wanted to go to the beach, I went to Wrightsville because that’s what I was familiar with, but then I started branching out to Carolina and Kure beaches because I made a friend who was renting a house in Kure.
My family, who lives about four hours away, northwest of Charlotte, decided that for vacation, they wanted to come to me, which I was incredibly thankful for because I get scared driving through Charlotte, even though I bravely drove on Interstate 85 as a 16-year-old when I worked at my dad’s work in the summers. I have to admit, it felt weird packing my suitcase to go just 25 minutes down the road to Carolina Beach, but it felt like a blessing at the same time.
Here’s a look at how our vacation went.
A trip to the aquarium
Although I already went to the Aquarium at Fort Fisher before, we decided to go again.
Every time I have been, I’ve left without regret. Even though I remembered most of what was in there from my last trip, it still didn’t change the cuteness overload of the otters when we walked into the first room. Last time I went, they were busy swimming around and doing flips in the water. This time, they were cuddled up on a log, snoozing.
Hunting for shells
Inspired by our trip to the aquarium, where I got to learn more about the shells that can be found along the coast of North Carolina, I searched up and down the beach and found so many cool shells. I even found a piece of sea glass the day after my dad was talking about how he had never found any before and that he wanted to. I still don’t think that was a coincidence.
I found a ton of beautiful calico scallop shells with so many unique markings and colors. I also found a bunch of thin pearlescent shells that look like mermaid scales, and they reminded me of the Aquamarine movie, which was my favorite when I was little. Aquamarine’s nails were pearly and changed colors depending on her mood.
More: Summer bucket list: 24 things to do in 2024 in the Wilmington area
Fishing traditions
Growing up, my dad took us out on his fishing boat in Lake Norman, so whether it was casting a line out at Lake Norman State Park or putting our waders on to trout fish in the streams of Avery of Watauga counties, my dad raised both my brother and I to never forget the basics.
Although my brother knows a lot more than I do these days as fishing has been a continuous hobby of his, I am getting back into it. My dad brought down my rod that he bought for me years ago and we fished out at Fort Fisher’s Recreation Area where you can buy a pass to drive out on the beach.
It reminded me a lot of the Outer Banks. I think most of the fish I caught were used for bait, but my dad fried up some of the croakers when he cooked our low country boil one night. My brother also caught a shark for the first time. It was a baby and my dad unhooked it and watched it swim back out. Of course, my mom, who is always cautious about getting in the water, was a little spooked after she realized that a shark was swimming that close to shore.
More: Madison Lipe: What it’s like navigating two beats as a reporter for the StarNews
Made with love
One thing about my family, we know how to cook. My dad, who cooked us breakfast every morning we were on vacation, got teary-eyed after we ate the first morning and said that cooking breakfast for us was his favorite thing because with me moving away from home, it made him feel like we were all at home together again.
I think it probably goes without saying, but I think I live in a pretty special place and I’m thankful I got to share it with my family.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
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Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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