OBX Highlights, Part One

I just finished going through all our pictures from vacation to narrow down what to post. I have about 80 pictures I'd like to post. But I am too impatient to wait for all that to download.

Here's the first picture we took after setting up the camper. It should have been a good indication of the kind of hot, muggy and sticky week that was ahead.

A little sunscreen, anyone?



We bought the kids life jackets before our trip because we'd heard and read so much about the currents and rip tides in the Outer Banks. My kids are not proficient swimmers, and I have a bit of a fear about ocean swimming. I knew I'd be so hyper about them getting anywhere near the ocean without life jackets.

Those life jackets were great! They bought me some peace of mind and the kids some freedom. Great combination.

At one point on our last day the wind and currents were so strong, Spencer drifted pretty far out and down from where we were. I actually sent Bruce after him. I kept watching Spencer's face to see if he was panicked, but, no, that emotion was all mine. He came out of the water on his own and walked straight to where Bruce was waiting for him and said, "Sorry, dad. I didn't mean to get out there that far."

And then he ran up the beach and did the whole thing again. Four or five times. Just not as far out as the first time.



When we got tired of the beach, we'd hose off the sand and go to the pool. And when the sun got too hot and I thought I might burn, we switched to the indoor pool. It was perfect.



As a side note, although many of you know this, I don't do sunscreen. "Can't do sunscreen" would be more accurate, because of skin allergies. However, the sun was so much more intense at the beach than at home, I did try it one day. And my shoulders, back, and chest are still covered in tiny bumps that itch. About five days later.

I plan to see an allergist once the kids are all in school to see if I can get shots to be rid of these allergies. I've only had them since Clay was born, and I figure the pregnancy kicked them into high gear.

Anyway, one day, we headed back to the beach again to catch a sand castle demonstration that was given by the campground personnel.



Bruce ended up being their lackey and carrying five-gallon buckets of water from the ocean to the display area. I kept thinking, "Um, aren't you supposed to be on vacation? That looks a lot like work to me."

That same day, our kids were taunting the waves. Smack talk, actually. Stuff like, "Is that all you got?" "C'mon! Bring it on!" It cracked me up.



Before long, Spencer found a friend. He kept referring to her all week as his "other girlfriend." They played so sweet on the beach. Spencer's little friend started echoing my kids' comments, and they'd all cheer whenever a really big wave would come and rush over their heads.



Shortly after we got there, I noticed Clay sniffling. And then his eyes got swollen. So we started popping the Claritin into his mouth and dropping the Pataday into his eyes.

Doesn't he look pathetic? It physically hurt my heart to look at him.



We spent a morning visiting Currituck Beach Light Station and its grounds. It is simply gorgeous there.

Here's the lighthouse and the boathouse. Currituck lighthouse was the last major brick lighthouse built on the Outer Banks, and it was built in 1875.



And the top of the lighthouse, which we didn't walk up into. I had forgotten to bring my purse so we were three bucks shy of what it would have cost for us to go up. I think Bruce really wanted to do that, too, so I hate that we missed out on it.



Here's the clubhouse, which was closed, but I think is available to rent for special occasions. All these buildings have been restored in recent years.



Here, Bruce and the kids are reading a sign about water fowl in the area. See the yellow fishing lure in the tree? Foreshadowing. Stick with me.



Our children kept finding stuff on the grounds at Currituck.

First, Spencer found a fishing lure. (Not the same one that was in that tree. What kind of mom do you think I am? I wouldn't let my child climb a tree branch hanging over water just to retrieve an old fishing lure. I might do it myself, though, or send Bruce. But we didn't have to. As far as we can tell, Spencer's lure fell out of the sky.)



Then Clay found a string of jewels. That's what we called it anyway. Allison was soon sporting a new necklace.



Clay also found a piece of blue tile. Not sure what that was doing out there, because there were no bathrooms or kitchens around with matching tile. Still, it gave him something to hold as treasure.



Here's a family picture we set the camera timer to take for us.



And with that, I must go. The kids have private swimming lessons this week, and we have another full few days ahead. I need to get off this computer.

I'll finish posting about our vacation soon.

Have a great day!