We’re halfway through our vacation to Nags Head and the Outer Banks and have had a load of fun so far. If you asked the kids they would say that simply riding the waves has been their most favorite activity but we’ve done far more than that.
Sunday night upon arriving, we unpacked, made dinner, fixed our beds, and settled in for the night.
We spent Monday morning on the beach, riding waves, building sandcastles, and simply relaxing. In the afternoon Kelly went for a 4+ mile run and I went for a 17 mile bike ride. We had hauled our bicycles down with us to the detriment of our gas mileage. So far I’m the only one who’s ridden one. We hope to get the family out on a bike ride tomorrow, weather permitting.
Monday afternoon the kids took a nap in preparation to see the play The Lost Colony. When they awoke, we made dinner and drove to Manteo for the show. It was the first time I’d seen it and I enjoyed it, though the kids were fading as it ran a bit long.
Tuesday morning was spent shopping for more boogie boards so that the grownups could join the fun. Then it was back on the beach more a few more hours of riding the waves. We stayed a bit beyond time for lunch and debated going in as the clouds gathered. Before we could retreat the rain began to fall, sending us inside for the rest of the afternoon.
Fortunately the rain subsided, allowing us to try Sam & Omie’s restaurant for a seafood dinner. Good stuff! The food was good, prices were reasonable, and the staff was very attentive. Travis declared that we would be going again to this restaurant and I think he may be right!
We crossed the street after dinner to check out Jeannette’s Pier. I was blown away at this state-of-the-art facility, with its solar PV panels, three 10kw wind turbines, and silver LEED certification (pending). It is by far the most remarkable fishing pier I’ve ever visited.
Last night was a bumpy one, sleep-wise, as some nearby dipshit dog owner let his dog yap outside around midnight. Our beachhouse was built in the early 80s from what I can tell and the windows are very thin. Kelly stewed a bit before leaving bed and walking over to the offending home, only to find two police officers were already on the scene. She thanked them for being there and returned to bed. The yapping soon ceased.
A little after 5 PM, an early-bird garbage truck driver decided to empty the dumpster across the street. He apparently couldn’t line up with his target too well, as he spent about 10 minutes with his reverse horn sounding. Just as I had finally began to sleep after that, it began to thunderstorm. Argh!
We had made plans to see the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse this morning, so after the weather had cleared and we’d had breakfast we hit the road heading south. We arrived at the park around 9:45 and had tickets for the 10:10 trip up the lighthouse. It was spectacular! I had wanted to climb those stairs ever since I had moved to Raleigh 20 years ago. To have my whole family join in was a special treat!
We ate lunch after returning from the lighthouse and spent another few hours riding waves. More storms chased us inside but we soon got out again to visit the FatBoyz ice cream shop. Then we enjoyed pizza at home before playing the board game Clue.
Now the kids are in bed for a projected early rise as Kelly has promised to take them “dolphin hunting” on the beach at sunrise. I’m not sure she knows what she’s doing, but it sounds like fun to me. Everything can be an adventure at the beach!
I have hundreds of photos I’ve taken during our stay but have not had time to post them. Perhaps tomorrow I can share a few with you here.