5-30-11 day 49

Lucca woke up sick this morning. Not too bad, but not feeling so good. :( Even with that we got out of camp this morning at 9! That is a record, we usually don't get out until after 10.

The way to coastal Maryland is over the Chesapeake Bridge and Tunnel. It is 13 miles of bridge with two tunnels under the water. It was quite a sight to see, over and under the water like it was nothing. See where the bridge stops and the starts again, Tunnel.









After driving through some very sleepy towns and beautiful farm homes on the coast of Virginia, we arrived at our campsite. It is a great one, steps from the beach. Not like Rondanthe where we had to walk a bit. This one is right on the beach. It also seems as if people are leaving because the holiday is over, so it's not too crowded. The beach is in an inlet so there aren't any waves and the water is not deep. We walked farther out in the water then we did from our campsite and were still only up to our knees.























After swimming, and playing, and a little nap, we had pizza delivered. Real Italian pizza with canned mushrooms!

So far this is a nice spot and if Pauls allergies can hang here we may stay an extra day. (They have been bad since we got to Virginia.)

Location:Eagles Nest Rd, Berlin, Maryland

5-29-11

Today started off much better than yesterday. Everyone had a decent sleep and we were ready to enjoy our day. After playing at our site and doing some housework, we headed off to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The lady Jordan talked with at Rodanthe suggested it as a good place to take the kids. When we got there it was really hot and we were happy to see that there was a hop on/off tram that toured the entire park. It turned out that our only hop off was to the WOW section, which was a exploration garden for kids. The main attraction was the water fountains and bubblers that are set up for the kids to play in. The kids had a blast ( well mainly jack, as Lucca was kind if just dragged around).



There was also a little small farm set-up where the kids could play in the dirt.












After lunch ( i guess it was still lunch for Jack) we took one last photo and headed back to Mimi.



Back at our site we played at the playground.






Then headed to dinner on another recommendation. We were told to try she-crab soup, this place was said to have the best. It was amazing!
You can't tell from the picture, but this place was hopping. It's been full with lines out front every night we have driven by. We were lucky to get a seat.






Now it's off to bed to rest up for another day of travel.

Location:Sandbridge, Virginia Beach, (Norfolk, VA)

5-28-11

Today started out too early and too nasty. Jack woke us all up way to early and I got really grumpy which turned everyone nasty. So after we finally got our act together we headed to the Virgina Beach boardwalk. When we got there we saw these signs everywhere.



This is funny because as soon as we crossed the NC VA border I said "welcome to Virginia" and Paul said "aw shit" because he missed the turn. We decided that it would be the slogan for Virginia. Welcome to Virginia, aw shit!

So the boardwalk and beach were packed. The beach had so many people it would have been had to find a spot if we wanted. Luckily we are from Santa Barbara, where beaches are a dime a dozen, so we just watched with amazement.



We had some great fish and chips for lunch on the pier and then rented a surry and rode to the end of the beach. There was a surf competition and a playground there so we hung out a bit before heading back.







As soon as we got into the car both kids fell asleep. Aaah... we drove in silence until they woke up.

The rest of the day went smooth until bed time. Jack has been having a really hard time listening and after such a long day with too little sleep none of us deal with it well. So after a battle and loss of books, songs and all of my sanity I am now sitting here wishing the night had gone differently and we were all snug in bed watching a movie. There's always tomorrow.....

( Des, we love all your comment stalking keep it up! We love and miss you guys too. xoxo)

Location:Virginia beach, VA

5-27-11

Today we went to the aquarium. It was a very nice place and we all enjoyed ourselves. Lucca likes fish. Every time we got to a new tank she did the sign for fish. Jack really was into the science parts of it, he wanted to do all the experiments. The best one was a volcano. We have been talking about them so it was nice for him to see it in action.
















On our way home we stopped at a farm store and got some fruit.

We played at the playground had an early dinner and bed.

Location:Sandbridge, Virginia

5-26-11

Today we left the outer banks on our way to Virginia Beach, Virginia. On our trip up the coast we stopped by Kitty Hawk and toured the site of the Wright Brothers first powered flight. The site has been preserved as it was when they were there ( except for the dunes have been covered with grass to keep them from eroding, and there is a small airport right behind the site. Obviously not there during their time). There is a big stone marker right at the launch site, and then 4 smaller stone markers showing the landing spots of the 4 flights they took in Dec 1903. We are not really big history freaks but we all felt how special this place was, and appreciated the effect it has had on our lives in so many ways. The last picture shows the 4 markers and the buildings that the brothers lived and worked in while they were here.












Jack came away with a model replica and a new curiosity about airplanes.

We stopped at a nearby place for lunch. Their motto was "eat and get the hell out". I had NC barbecue which I think is tastier the Memphis BBQ.

We thought we could get to where we were going by taking a trip up through the towns of Duck and Corolla, NC but the road just ended at the beach and there was no where for us to go. After some tricky Mimi maneuvering we headed back...on the way we found a lighthouse that Jack could go up. He was "so exciting" about it. At the top I dropped my sunglasses and the wind took them right over the edge. Jordan spotted where they landed and we recovered them, in one piece, when we got down.






In this one you can see Mimi and the truck in a sand lot on the lower left.


After this significant detour we got back on the road only to need to stop for dinner. We stopped at a truck stop on the border of NC and Virginia. A woman at the counter ordered "two vegetables; macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy" she wasn't kidding.
We finally got to Virginia beach after driving past some amazing farm and horse properties. The road also took us along some great back bays and salt marshes. Our site for memorial day weekend is in a park right on the sound. Pretty cool, but the bugs are almost unbearable.

Location:North Carolina / Virginia

5-25-11

Last night we were woken up at about 1:30 to the craziest storm we have had on this trip. I managed to get some things put away while the wind blew and lightning was coming down all around. It really blew the trailer this way and that...and the thunder and lightning were pretty intense. The good thing was it lasted only about an hour and everything made it through fine. In fact this morning when we came out of Mimi it was beautiful. In talking to the locals, it was hardly a storm even worth mentioning. They are used to late summer hurricanes.

We went to the beach again this morning and had a great time. We all played in the ocean, and the sand, flew kites, captured crabs, and had a great time. Jack even drew some amazing sand art.






















After the beach we relaxed at our camp site. I went out and got sandwiches while the kids played.



For dinner we decided to let the kids in on our seafood feast. It was only mildly appreciated. Jack liked helping crack the crab the best. Lucca tried everything, didn't really like anything.




Jordan and i just ran inside, literally. We were being attacked by killer mosquitos while writing this. Tomorrow we make like the lightning last night, and bolt.

Location:Rodanthe, NC

5-24-11

The wind got us again today. First thing this morning we went to sit on the beach for an hour. Jack requested it this morning and what kind of mother would I be if I said no? While there we saw a bunch on crabs coming out of their holes in the sand. We got close to one and it burried itself under the sand but we could still see it's eyes sticking out. It was fun to see. We tried to have breakfast outside but it was so windy the bacon was flying off the griddle. The kids played nicely while Paul and I cleaned up a bit. Mimi gets really dirty really fast and with all we are doing it is a challenge to get her clean. The kids and I headed to the beach around 10 and Paul hung back to clean up some more. No I'm not a mean wife he actually can't hang on the beach for as long as we can so he wanted to stay back. When he did come down we were pretty sick of being pelted by the wind and sand so we headed back to get some lunch.

The family we met the other day told us about a deli where they make all their own sauces and stuff. It was gooood! Not only were the sandwiches good but the store itself was awesome. It had all the makings to cure any munchie attack you may get. Paul even mentioned this to the girl behind the counter and she laughed and said "yes it does".

After lunch naps and relaxing we went to the indoor pool because the wind was still really intense. Jack even was the bravest he's been and tried swimming a little. We went to a local hot dog stand for dinner where I had a hot dog covered with BBQ pork, cole slaw and hot sauce. Yummy.

Sorry there are no pics today we didn't take any. One more day here and I don't want to leave!

Also Lucca took about five steps today! We were in a store and she saw some fruity snacks she wanted. She has also been talking so much more. Saying things like all done, I love you, mine!, and Pat Burrell. She has also perfected her elephant impression. I keep having to remind myself that the adventure is something different for her. She is so busy exploring her world and her world changes everyday. I'm glad to see that she is able to grow and develop while her life is a bit crazy. I know that they won't remember the places we've been but I hope they are developing a since of adventure and wonder for their world.

Location:Rodanthe, NC

5-23-11 Day 42

We set our alarm to wake us up so that we could watch the sunrise this morning. We planned on waking the kids up to show them also but when the alarm went off we decided it would just be us. It was a a little over cast so we couldn't see the sun for a few minutes. It was really neat to watch the sun rise on the east coast. Paul has been writing the blogs lately so I haven't gotten a chance to say how excited and glad I am to be here. I really do love being by the ocean, it makes me feel better about everything. We set out on this trip with the intention of seeing if there are any places we could see ourselves living. We have seen many places that are amazing and we would like to spend more time in but none that we are like yes this is the place. What I am learning is what things I like to have where I live. I really do want to live in a place on the ocean that preferably has mountains close by. These are the places that I get the most excited about and feel most comfortable in.

Ok back to our day.. The sun rise was such a great way to start the day that I decided to stay out and take Lola for a walk on the beach before everyone else woke up.












When I got back the kids were up but Paul was still asleep so we went back to the beach. It was only 7 at this point. Jack played in the water while i nursed Lucca and took it all in. I couldn't have imagined a better way to start the day. After breakfast we decided to head out to the south end of the island and take the ferry over to Ocracoke. The rest of the island was longer than we thought so by the time we got to the ferry everyone was hungry. We boarded the ferry which was really fun. I have never been on a car ferry so it was new for me too. The ride was about 40 min through water that we found out is only 12 feet at it deepest. Most of the Palmico sound is only 2-3 feet deep.






Jack hung out with Lola on the ride over.





When we got to Orcacoke we had lunch at a little creekside cafe with good seafood and burgers. Then we drove around the island to discover that it is a really cute small community of island life to the fullest. Little art galleries, raw bars and beach cruisers. There really wasn't much to do there so we drove around and headed back to the ferry. On the way we found a great beach and let Lola run around a bit. Her tail is much better today!

















joined in on the truck bed fun this time.





We were trying to get to the Hatteras lighthouse before it closed and we made it with five minutes to spare...only we couldn't climb to the top because you have to be 42 inches to go up. Something about falling through the rails. Even though Jack was really looking forward to going to the top he handled it very well. He has been happier the last few days, I think it is that ocean air again.



We had to get back to have dinner and get these tired kids to bed. Which we did with out any kinks so now Paul and I are going to enjoy this this ocean breeze and sunset.

P.S. Meet Elvis. We got him at Graceland and have decided to make him the trip mascot. We are going to decorate him with treasures we find on our adventures. So far his mustache we got in Oklahoma and a deer nail ring from Santasland in NC. We are looking for the perfect shell now.

Location:Rodanthe, NC

5-22-11

We pretty much just relaxed all day today. It kind of seems like a vacation from our vacation here. We had breakfast outside then headed down to the beach for most the morning. Jack made friends with a fellow beach goer kid and Jordan chatted with his mom for quite a while. They turned out to be our east coast dopplegangers. Two kids both born in may, an older boy 4 and a younger girl 1 with a big dog.
We went back to Mimi for lunch. We were all tired from playing in the sun.



After Lucca woke up, we set out in search of ice cream and lighthouses. We found both. Although we were a little disappointed that we could't go up in this lighthouse, we thought it a fine specimen.



The highlight of our day. At least for Jordan and I. Was our seafood steam pot dinner. On our way back from the lighthouse, on recommendation of the nice lady who works at our camp, we stopped in and ordered a seafood meal from a little shop called Austin's South Island Seafood and Produce. It was to take an hour to make so we came back to camp and fed the kids some kid stuff...
After the kids were in bed, we broke out the feast. Seriously yum. Eating food that you have to work for, outside, on the beach, is just about the best thing ever. Looking forward to what tomorrow brings. Good Night.

Location:Rodanthe, Outer Banks, NC