A goofy pitbull dog splashes, runs, and plays at the beach at Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

A fun loving pitbull dog splashes, runs, and plays at the beach at Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

Symbolic of a gateway to an awaiting beach vacation at Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

A child feels her feet sink in the sand as the water withdraws at the beach. Emerald Isle, NC.

A Willet (Tringa semipalmata) scours the shoreline at Emerald Isle, North Carolina.