OBX, NC

We took a family vacation to the Outer Banks (OBX) of North Carolina. I have to admit that until we started looking at places to visit I wasn't really sure what they were. They are a series of small islands off the coast of NC. We drove over a crazy long bridge (and under the water) to get there. It was a $12 toll each way- that's steep even for the east coast. We got our condo for a great deal through the Armed Forces Vacation Club. The drive wasn't too bad, we were able to make it each way with just 1 stop. There was so much that we didn't fit in in our week there, so we just might have to go back.

We learned that vacationing with a 1 year old sure is fun, but it sure isn't relaxing. We hadn't been in the condo for an hour before Rhone locked himself into the bedroom with Ben's shoes, wallet and keys. After 30 minutes of trying to get the door open (and "borrowing" a hanger from another condo), Ben finally popped the lock by sliding my old Block Buster card between the door and the door frame. We found Rhone sobbing and covered in deodorant that he got out of the suitcase and had a free-for-all with. He sure does keep us on out toes :)

On a rainy day we took a road trip down the length of the Outer Banks and took the ferry to Ocacroke Island. It was such a quaint little island. We didn't spend much time there, but it was still worth the trip. We couldn't believe how many shipwrecks there were around the area (it is called the graveyard of the Atlantic). So in order to reduce wrecks, there are quite a few lighthouses on the islands.

We could still get a little smile even after being in the carseat for more than 4 hours. Riding the ferry to Ocracoke Island. Wild horses roamed free on Ocracoke Island until 1959. We stopped to see a few of them in their pen. The lighthouse at Ocracoke is NC's oldest. Cape Hatteras light house is the tallest in America. It is 12 stories high. I climbed to the top, while Ben and Rhone played at the bottom (Rhone was too small to go up). The views were beautiful. The stairs in the light house. I couldn't believe how much detail they put into the lighthouse (see the marble checkerboard floors at the landing).

First Flights

Kitty Hawk, North Carolina is the famous location of the Wright brothers first successful flight. There is a huge Wright Brothers National Memorial there ran by the National Park Service. The actual points of take off and landing are marked from the first flights. Ben and I also took our first hang gliding flights in North Carolina. We flew on the same sandy dunes that appealed to the Wright Brothers in Jockey Ridge State Park. We both had a great time- actually I had an amazing time. I had to come back a second day for better wind conditions and I had one on one lessons with my instructors and great winds.

Rhone flying with one of the Wright brothers on the replica statue. It was quite a walk to get to the monument. A gust of wind came along and Rhone almost headed down the stairs in his stroller. Thankfully 2 stairs and he stopped- good thing he was strapped in! The markers of the 1st 4 flights all taken the same day. The 4th was definitely the longest. Hiking on the sand dunes in Jockey Ridge. The first trip out I carried Rhone hoping he would stay a sleep. We wised up and put him in the backpack the next 2 trips out to the dunes. Ben getting ready for take-off.

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Ben's 1st flight and a great landing.
You run down a super steep sand dune to take off. My instructor is on the slope. The person just behind him is on the ground. I was pretty high. Seriously this was so much fun!

Thought you might get a kick outta my landing. It definitely isn't my best, but I did manage to land on my feet a few times.

Enjoying the sand and water.

We did 2 big water activities. Ben took surfing lessons and the whole family went on a kayaking trip. We did it with a company called Kitty Hawk Kayak and Surf School, they were great. Both the tour and lesson were private (for a group price). Of course we also enjoyed the comfy temperatures, the beautiful views and the dolphin sightings.

On Kitty Hawk Beach.

Right after breakfast at Nags Head Beach.

Ben's surf lesson looked like it went really well (since I was only watching, that's about all I can say). Rhone and I just played on the beach and watch. There were also dolphins swimming in the area. They were beautiful.

Paddling hard. Catching a wave.

All tuckered out while Dad is surfing.

On our kayak trip we paddled through a Maritime forest. It was beautiful, we saw snakes, turtles, fish, and birds. We were a little worried about Rhone but he did great. He had his own little seat which he sat in until he got tired and restless. He put his hands in the water, straddled the seat to get a leg in the water, and paddled a little.

Getting ready to push off. Checking out the water. We were grateful for the strap on the back of his life jacket.

Ben's 1st try at surfing. You might wanna turn down the volume (I'm pretty loud).

Roanoke Island

The name should sound familiar- after all Roanoke was the home of the 1st English colony in America. Nearly 80 settlers who were left behind had simply vanished when the supply ships came back for them, giving it the name of the lost colony. We went to the original fort site. However it they were doing some major repairs, so we weren't able to see much of Fort Raleigh. We did walk along the trails though. We also stopped at Roanoke Island Festival Park. It was full of exciting hands on things including a Indian artifacts, a working replica of 16th century ship, a working blacksmith and a children's museum. We went back to Roanoke island to enjoy a little street festival in the old downtown area where we heard live music and scored delicious $2 fish tacos. If you are in the Outer Banks a trip to this Island is a must.

At Fort Raleigh, Roanoke, NC.

Our little confederate at the children's museum.


Aboard Elizabeth II. This ship was really, really interesting. The guides were in character too.

Swobbing the deck.
Ben in colonial armor. Can't you just picture him protecting the colony. It was amazing how heavy that gear was. I couldn't believe how many things there were that you could touch. There were leather cups and tanned skins- it was really interesting.




Ben and Rhone in a sink box while duck hunting. It was one of the activities once prevalent on the island.

home for a little bit

We were home and unpacked for a whopping 2 weeks before we left for vacation in North Carolina. Here's a few of our happenings from those weeks.

SESAME STREET SHOW
Some of the characters from Sesame Street came to base for a free show for military families. Rhone and I went with some of our friends. The show really was pretty good. There was lots of music and dancing, and a free toy. Elmo was far and away the favorite. The content was geared towards families who deal with changes and deployments.



MOTHER'S DAY CARDS
This year Rhone is big enough to start making those oh-so-cute crafts. I had a hard time coming up with something on his skill level, but luckily my friend Amy and her boys came over to paint with us and help put the idea together. I think the cards turned out pretty adorable and were well worth the mess!

Rhone painting the flower paper. The tulip card, complete with Rhone's hand print and artwork. Speaking of our friends, isn't this picture of Rhone and Tommy absolutely adorable. Thanks for the picture Amy!

DOVER DAYS
Once a year Dover has a colonial festival complete with a parade, maypole dancing, and colonial costumes. We watched the parade with our friends. It was nice for the little boys to have someone to get into trouble with. We watched some maypole dancing and wondered through the mess of people and booths. The real high light of the day was the food. One of the local churches sponsored an international food fair. For $10 we had a little Mexican, German, Egyptian, African, and Philippine food. It was delicious.

The crew watching the parade. Notice that the two little boys are enjoying suckers, while the older one happily waves at the paraders- what could be more fun?