Something happens when your kids go back to school. Your life, if you’re a stay-at-home mom or dad, becomes a conveyor belt. You, your kids get up, eat, they leave for school, you restore your house to some sort of order, volunteer, do some contractual work, they return from school, eat, do homework, and eat some more. Then everybody goes back to bed.

It starts to get boring, and the boredom is relentless. It pushes you to do something, anything. What to do on the cheap? Wrightsville Beach is three hours away. Surf, walk, order pizza — and relax by the water.