OBX: Final Installment

Since Friday was our last full day there, we decided to spend as much time at the beach as possible.  Brad and I agreed that this was the best beach day we have ever had.  The water was still a bit chilly, but calm.  It was overcast but warm so it was just one of those days that you wanted to be outside as long as you could. 

Drew dug a giant pit that cousin B used to re-enact the Backson scene from Winnie the Pooh.  And our kids, though less practiced in the fine arts, joined right in.  Sand castles were built and torn down, crabs and shells were found, a great day overall.

On Saturday, had we been smart, we would have just packed up and left for home to arrive at a reasonable hour.  Instead we took our very last opportunity to explore the Corolla lighthouse which Suz and I had discovered on our little drive while the babies were sleeping (my baby is two - hers is actually a baby).  We climbed up the lighthouse, explored the little village (strangely, we couldn't go into the schoolhouse because the sign said school was in session - on a Saturday?), and then had a picnic in the park.  Then we said our goodbye's and headed for home.  It was a great trip and I hope we get to do it again someday.

OBX: Part Three

Wednesday was a pretty low key day for us.  We rode our bikes into town and got donuts at Duck Donuts.  They were so good we got them again before we left.  The town has a pretty extensive boardwalk system on the sound side.  So, after our donuts we walked along the boardwalk and even popped into a couple of shops before heading back.  The day was so nice we even rode up past the beach house to explore a little more.  We spent the afternoon playing on the beach.  Apparently though, it was such a low key day that I didn't bother to get out my camera :(

Thursday we went to play on the sand dunes and fly kites and we even saw some hang gliders.  There is something about sand dunes that is just amazing to me.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity.  Plus, I will never forget the time we were driving through White Sands, NM and my sister and I wanted to get out of the car and see them so badly but my mom wouldn't let us.  Does White Sands remind anyone else about the movie "Space Camp"?  Just me....ok, moving on.

After our loooong hike over and around the dunes we went to see the Body Island lighthouse.  I think it's pronounce bo-dee, with a long O.  Because body island sounds creepy.  We didn't exactly know where we were going but found it without too much trouble, only to realize the whole thing was being repaired.  Oh well.  We still picnicked in the shadow of the scaffolding and then the boys left for their fishing trip while Suz and I took our babies home.

Fishing was the highlight of the trip for Little Mister.  Most specifically, the part where he got to throw the puffer fish that they caught onto the deck of the boat.  One of the guides blew the fish up (with his mouth - disgusting) and then let the kids play with it.  I don't think cousin B was quite as excited about the puffer fish, as you can see from his face in the picture. Priceless. When we got back the Mister told his whole class that he caught two puffer fish!  Poor Mister, the kids life jackets on the boat didn't fit him very well so he had to wear Baby Sister's puddle jumper.  Luckily he didn't seem to mind one bit.  I guess he was distracted by the thought of catching a real fish.

OBX: Part Two

One of the reasons we decided on the Outer Banks was because, in addition to the beach, it offered several interesting historical sights within close proximity.  And lighthouses.  I love lighthouses - but that's another post.

On Tuesday we went to Roanoke Island to see the site of the Lost Colony.  I have to admit, the details surrounding the "lost colony" had escaped me, but still, I was intrigued by the idea of a mystery.  Just in case you have forgotten too, go here, if you are into that sort of thing. 

The site is in the town of Manteo and the island is actually quite tiny but very cute.  The weather was perfect and we had a great time climbing aboard a replica of the ship (I couldn't believe how many people they fit in those things - 50-60!), wandering though the Native Settlement, and English Settlement and then finally the museum.  This museum was one of the best I have ever been to with lots of stuff for the kids to climb on, dress up in, and play with.  There was even a big gravel pit out front to dig for fossils!  We came home with quite a few shark teeth and a few fossils.  After the museum we had lunch on the marina and played at the park.

Next we headed to Kittyhawk or Kill Devils Hills, I'm still not sure which it really is, to visit the Wright Brother's Memorial.  We looked in the museum, climbed up a big hill, and then got to play on a replica of the plane.

OBX: Part One

Brad and I decided early on that, as much as possible, we should try to explore the areas around where we live while we live there, because you never really know how long that is going to be.  And you don't want to regret not seeing something while it was close to you.  Since we have already been to Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Charleston, and Tybee Island,  we decided to head to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a week at Duck Beach.  It was a celebration for Brad finishing his master's degree and probably because this will be the last time we can take a mid-September vacation without "unlawfully" taking a child out of school.  Oh, and also it was a good excuse to meet up with my sister and her family and meet our new baby cousin (my nephew).

 

We arrived on Saturday night.  It was a long drive but not too long that the kids weren't dying with anticipation to see their cousin B and meet their new baby cousin.  Unfortunately the cousins weren't quite as excited to meet them at first but Baby Sister did manage to sneak in and hug B and right before bed he agreed to give the Little Mister a "shy hug".  I loved watching the cousins play together - I think that was my favorite part of the whole trip.

 

We woke up Sunday morning to a light drizzle.  Perfect!  And I mean that.  It gave us the excuse to lazily mill around the house and explore the neighborhood where we were staying.  We took a quick stroll to the beach and to the sound.  Luckily the island is super narrow at that part and so we were in a short walking distance of both the beach and the sound side.  That evening we all went to the beach to fly kites and let the kids run.

Monday we got up and headed to the beach.  It was beautiful and sunny but also quite windy.  And, probably due to the remains of some hurricane, the waves were quite big and the water was a little chilly.  Still, we had fun playing in the sand all morning (swimming in the ocean is not a requirement for an enjoyable beach trip for me, FYI).   Uncle Drew, or Tickle Drew as we like to call him, made sure there was always something to be built, or destroyed!