Have you ever seen pictures of someplace online and just know that somehow someway you gotta go there? Well, going to the Outer Banks of North Carolina was my someplace --- I absolutely fell in love with the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the Outer Banks moment my eyes first laid on photographs others had previously posted on the internet, mostly those shown back in my scrapbooking message board days. I'd never really imagined going, but I certainly dreamed and thought about it for quite some time! I cannot for the life of me even remember when or where or why, Don & I's conversations even began to take the turn to begin taking about a vacation, but neverless the less, take one we did! It was sort of spur-of-the-moment, feeling the need for one, and then Don told me to get online and check things out. Before I even knew what hit me, I came across a great deal for a week's getaway, considering to be on the off- season, an entire beach house for 12 within a resort community with access to many amenities, so discussed it with Don, who quickly told me to contact the realitor. It didn't take long to say, "We'll take it!" and leases and cashier's checks began flying through the mail. Yep! It happened that fast; we'd packing and leaving in six short weeks! Shortly thereafter, I googled everything I wanted to know before leaving while the anticipation and excitement began to build. I don't know how many times I actually had to pinch myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming, LOL! Little by little, the brochures I'd order began appearing in the mailbox and I'd spend my afternoon browsing and dreaming of the places we'd see and some of the things we'd love to do while there. I truly felt so suddenly alive and inspired, I created the mini-book previously posted, and began filling in some of the details, I was certain I'd want to capture. {Although after you go, is when you REALLY get it!} We ran into so many people from Ohio, we began to wonder, "how in the world, did we miss the bus?" Anyways, our week was absolutely amazing! The beach house was more beautiful that we expected, the resort absolutely beautiful, peaceful, with plenty of things to do even in the off-season. Lighted walkways assisted us to the beach areas in the evenings and at night. We spent time laying on the beach, collecting seashells, people and nature watching, enjoying the sand, surf, and blue skies. We couldn't have asked for better weather, days with little or no rain, even though the weather channel previously stated otherwise the week prior to our trip. We flew kites on the beach while the wind played havoc with the sun, sand, and sea, We enjoyed the deck at the beach house with it's day and nighttime views of Currituck Beach Lighthouse, along with wonderful food and of course a few "island" theme adult beverages.
We enjoyed the close proximity to shopping, dine-in or carry-out food, and to Corolla BBQ!, which was our first venture out after unloading and settling into the beach house. The pulled pork sandwiches and potatoe salad made for a nice, light dinner, followed by a walk to the beach in the evening, which made a wonderful preparation for a good night's sleep. There's nothing quite like the smell of the sea- salted air blowing a light breeze through the bedroom window while the sound of the waves lull you to sleep and the light from the lighthouse anchors you securely with the knowledge you and your loved ones have arrived safe and sound.
