Mommy's Blog: OBX: the next two days

A quick photos-and-captions post for you, as I cheer on the Spades players and enjoy a gin and tonic at the big table...

Day Three: Road trip day. Steve and his family, and our family, all decided we wanted to get out and see some more of the Outer Banks. So we headed out on our adventures on Tuesday. A beautiful blue sky day for a drive but not so much for being out of the car. It was so. Stinking. Hot. After a disappointing visit to Kitty Hawk to see the Wright Brothers Memorial (who has a National Park with only two shade trees in the whole place, and picnic tables hidden around the back, and the monument on the top of a giant hill a bout 47 miles from the parking lot???), we did make it down to Hatteras, where we viewed the Bodie Island Lighthouse and Marshes...

We also made it over to Roanoke Island but were too hot and tired to do much of anything there. We loved the sweet downtown and waterfront in Manteo. Wonderful old houses and quaint shops and the shining waters of the sound glimmering in on each block. I wish we'd started there and saved Kitty Hawk for the way home. Le sigh.

These poor dogs. They were troupers. Hot, panty, annoying troupers.

We manage to look like we are having a slightly good time in this photo. I think the shade hides all the sweat. To their credit, the kids were great and trekked along all day with few complaints. How did we get so lucky.

We made it home in time to do an evening trip to the beach, which redeemed the day. Turns out we need to be at the beach every day from 7-9 pm. It is the best time, by far. Cool sand, plenty of shade, soft sunset light reflecting off of the clouds, empty beaches, breezy and hazy and magical. .. At sunset, a man came out and played bagpipes on the beach steps by his house, and all the people nearby gathered and danced. Kites danced in the air all down the beach. The wave-kissed sand turned pink as dusk fell. The dog relaxed for the first time all day. Some seriously good stuff.

Day Four:

We stayed close to home in Corolla today, for more hot-day sightseeing, and lots of time on our beach.

Here we are about to tour the Whalehead House. Sadly, like most historic homes, we couldn't get pictures of the interior. But what a fabulous tour. I could move into that house today with no renovations. Turns out Art Noveau remote-island houses are just my cup of tea. Cozy and airy and unpretentious with the most amazing views and incredible curving botanical-themed woodwork.

So cool.

Look! Floor plans! I got to look at them while we toured! heaven.

Nat and Jack had another day of crabbing while the ladies did the tour. Corydon slept in the shade and Jack regaled Nat with nonstop stories and plans for his future Youtube channel of Minecraft videos. "I like going crabbing, Dad. It's Ok that we're not catching anything because we have time to chat!" This kid. I tell ya.

There was supposed to be a festival outside Whalehead and I had big dreams for it. But it turned out to just be some wine tasting and the day turned out to be just as stinking hot as yesterday. So we came home and settled the kids in with their cousins, and then Nat and I ran away. :) We discovered a fabulous beer garden in Corolla where we had tasty beers (Green Flash, yum!) that made everything happy, and then we sampled some pizza by the slice before heading to buy some gin for the house. We had to stop at the famed Duck Donuts while were were there. And then eat them on the boardwalk by the sound, of course. A perfect getaway-from-the- getaway with my favorite person. I do love him, that husband of mine. He makes everything easier and more fun...

Finally, photos from our two beach trips today (thank you, waterproof camera!):

These two dogs had the best time on the beach tonight. The empty beach at 7pm meant we could let them run, and run they did. Corydon tore around like a 5 year old. She and Pip both got hit my some big waves... and walked out of the water with big doggy grins each time.

Cousin John organized a family kickball game for the evening and was it ever a hit. Jack was not sure he wanted to play at all, but after a rough start (a few too many foul balls) he found his stride and fell in LOVE with the game. Eyes alight, he remarked "I don't really like this game at school, but this is different!" The magic of family.