"My favorite thing to do in the summer is to head to the Great Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondack mountains of New York. My family has a small vacation home on the lake, and when the thermometer in North Carolina is pushing 100 degrees, the weather at the lake is perfect — in the 80s — and cold enough for a blanket at night.

"Last summer, my friend Linda Davis and I took our daughters from the lake for a side trip into New York City. We had a two-day shopping adventure. We had a great time hanging out in the city!

Contributed photos (ENLARGE)

Dining in an outdoor Italian restaurant in New York's Little Italy are, from left, Morgan Davis, Lyndsey Joyner, Linda Davis, Amanda Davis and Terri Joyner.

(ENLARGE)

The Joyners' boat on the Great Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondack mountains of New York.

(ENLARGE)

A Bachelorette Party cruise included, from left, Tracie Adams, Kim Adams, and Christine Ngyuen, all from Greenville, and bachelorette Amy Braxton of Ayden.

— Terri Joyner, 40, Ayden

"We celebrated Amy Braxton's bachelorette party with a five-day cruise on the Carnival Cruise Line's Celebration. We visited Nassau, Bahamas and Key West, Fla.

"We decorated the room with festive bachelorette stuff and put bright yellow 'Warning' tape across our door to warn surrounding passengers what they were in store for. Luckily for us, everyone was so nice and really enjoyed joining in on the fun. We brought bright pink feather boas to wear at night and dressed up to let everyone on board know we were on a bachelorette party. It made the other passengers aware of our party and they really had fun talking with us. We also had T-shirts made with 'Bachelorettes' printed on them to wear on the islands.

"We visited The Atlantis and did a little gambling and sight-seeing in the Bahamas. Also, a must do is Senor Frogs — we had a great time there.

"In Key West, we rented a oversized street-worthy golf cart (that was so worth the money) and drove around to see the southernmost point! Beautiful view! Let's not forget all the shopping around Mallery Square and on Duval Street in Key West. There was lots to see and do.

"What a great way to spend some quality time with friends and truly relax."

— Kim Adams, 32, Greenville