Whether or not you're a fan of Nicholas Sparks' novels (hence the post title), you've surely heard of the Outer Banks, probably most fabled for the "wild ponies" that roam there. Luckily, we were informed well in advance that the horses were now in fenced pastures (thanks, Kate - that saved Chris a great deal of disappointment), but it was still cool to learn that genetically these horses are different from horses seen in everyday America (something about an extra sixth lumbar vertebrae).Chris and I decided to spend a week camping along this "mile wide and a hundred miles long" set of barrier islands on North Carolina's eastern shore. By the grace of God, we had reserved a cabin at the first place we were staying (thinking it would be late when we arrived Sunday night and wouldn't want to set up a tent.) Little did we know that it was going to be pouring buckets and gusting 40 mph!
The weather conditions required a slight change of plans for the start of our week, but it actually worked out really well. We spent the first day gathering info/formulating a plan, touring the "Graveside of the Atlantic" museum (lots of lighthouse/shipwreck displays), and driving the truck on the beach.
Chris thought it was unnecessary to follow the posted signs and explicit written instructions in every Outer Banks guidebook to lower the air pressure in your tires to 20psi - and when we got stuck, boy, was I not a happy camper! We ate our picnic lunch while he squirmed in his seat trying to figure out what we were going to do....luckily, the solution was as simple as PUTTING THE TRUCK IN FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE!
We had our first (and only) dinner out at the Breakwater Restaurant - seafood bisque, steamed seafood appetizer plate, seafood stew, and seafood al greco. Mmmmm!
On Tuesday, we took the 40-minute ferry ride over to Ocracoke Island (where the infamous ponies live). Touring the whole village on bike, we saw the lighthouse, hiked a nature trail, bought a book on the legends of the Outer Banks, stopped off for some peel-n-eat shrimp at a happy hour, and only had one heart-sinking moment when we realized Chris had lost his wallet! Fortunately, it had fallen out while we were sipping our drinks on the porch at the coffeehouse and some kind person had turned it in - BIG THANKS to that anonymous soul! (Still a little cold and rainy - hence the hood - and even though you can't tell from this picture - the green, full-body rain suit I'm wearing!)
The next day we traveled up Cape Hatteras National Seashore to the famous swirled-patterned lighthouse. The most remarkable thing about this beaconing building is that it was picked up off the ground and moved nearly 3000 feet over 23 days because it had become too close to the actual shoreline. During our adventure to climb to the top of this lighthouse, we had a humbling example of "bad luck." The balcony at the top was closed due to high winds when initially went to purchase our tickets, but they said that it was made on an hour-by-hour basis and could change anytime. We toured through the museum, watched the video on the move, ate our lunch and then went to check back. Still closed. We bought our tickets climbed to the top and peeked our head out the door (but couldn't actually walk out and around the top.) As we were walking back from the old sight, what do you know? There were people circling the top deck! It was opened! If only we had gone to the old site first...
Later that afternoon, we arrived at our tent-camping site and set up shop - at the BEST site they had (because it was the only one with its own firepit!) Seriously, that was our view from our front door! Beautiful!
Stopped by the third (and final) lighthouse of the tour, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and got to hear some great stories from one of the volunteers - who happened to LIVE there in the 1920's because his dad was the lighthouse keeper! (Yes, he was 94!)Our day in Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills with the history of flight was absolutely fantastic! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
That evening was topped off with a sunset from Jockey's Ridge State Park, which contains the largest sand dune in North America and the only hang gliding school in the country as well. It's really NOTHING but sand! Pre-sunset = ate a mango; Post-sunset = Chris jumped off the edge of the dune with a blanket over his shoulders (at some strangers' encouragement to "Fly, Batman!" - but in all honesty, he really was planning on jumping/somersaulting/flailing/etc. before they even said anything.)
We spent two days just chilling at the beach and riding our bikes around Rodanthe. Got some great ice cream; Scoped out the beach house used in the post-titled Richard Gere/Diane Lane movie; Practiced my BodyFlow class (yoga/Pilates/tai chi) on the beach (and naturally got some really weird looks).
Our last day was spent checking out one of "history's biggest mysteries" - the Lost Colonists at Roanoke Island. VERY interesting - especially because I get to teach about that part of America's past in Social Studies. There's a great interactive, hands-on park and the longest-running outdoor drama (since 1937), which unfortunately didn't start performances until after Memorial Day.
And - just for crazy fun - a squirrel who we saw running around with a sippy cup in his mouth!
Here we are at the end of our trip... a little sunburned, and a little tired, but very pleased with the week.One more ironic story: Before we embarked on our five-hour drive home, I had commented that I could use a Diet Dr. Pepper. On our way home, we got stuck in this huge traffic back-up due to a bridge accident. Chris suggested to the kids who were standing by their homes that they should set up a lemonade stand....After checking with a couple neighbors and only coming up with sugar, what do you know, they came walking back with a 2-liter of Diet Dr. Pepper! God is awesome!
Anyway - that's the story. That's the trip. Two more trips very soon ... one back to Illinois for a wedding (and hopefully to find a house) and then back to Illinois for good. See you soon!
