Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Real, Real Slow

Well, ladies and gentlemen, the countdown to surgery has begun. 

Tonight around dinner time, Steve and I will head back home.   Tomorrow, we’ll spent most of the day in Manteo, getting all of our last minute stuff done.  Unfortunately, as it turns out, some of our last minute stuff will include picking up our mini van from the garage where we dropped it off yesterday after attending Sarah’s award’s ceremony.  With everything else going on, we now have a lovely, unexpected repair bill of $350.   But since we’d hate to break down at the side of the road on the way home from surgery, we figured it might be a good idea to get it taken care of.  (Hitchhiking immediately after surgery is generally frowned upon in medical circles.)

Tomorrow evening, Steve, Sarah, Snowy and I will grab an early dinner and then head out the door to Greenville where we’ll meet up with Steve’s parents (from Charlotte)  and my mom and sister (from Wisconsin) and prepare for the early morning surgery. (We have to be there at 6 am.)

But you know what?  That day isn’t here yet.  Today we are still on vacation, if only for a few more hours.  And better yet, I am happy to report that I have now retrieved my camera cord and uploaded all my pictures.     I won’t force you to sit through them all in one day (you can thank me later) but today I’ll concentrate on Monday’s jaunt to Ocracoke Island.

To get to the island, you have to take a 45-minute ferry ride, which was quite exciting to a couple of landlubbers like us.

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This is Steve’s head.  (In case you we were wondering!)

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Once we got to the island, we explored a few of the side road and found a couple of signs we just loved.  If you’ve ever wanted to have a street named after you, all you have to do is just get a board and write your name on it.  It worked for Howard.  (And his street.)

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This sign also made us smile.

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Of course, when the road is this lovely, it’s pretty easy to drive “real, real slow.”

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That particular (slow driving) road took us to this little shop.  I was especially intrigued by the “Books to be Red” sign; I still haven’t quite figured out what that meant, but any sign having to do with books deserves a picture.  I also loved the word “uniquities” on the sign.  Those Ocracoke folk are pretty creative in the signage department.

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As we were entering the shop, Steve stood and pondered for a moment if he could get away with requesting a motorcycle for his upcoming birthday.

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And then he thought, “Naw.  I’ll just be content with riding this rubber shark instead.” 

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The front of the bookstore.  Don’t you just love it?

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After browsing for a while, we drove a few blocks (real, real slow) to an ice cream store and came across this very stressed, anxious island dog. Can you say, “No worries?

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Across from the ice cream store was another colorful, quaint shop.  I just love colorful and quaint!

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I also loved the orderly way all these bikes were lined up.  (No, I don’t get out much.)

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Following the ice cream eating and the bike gazing, we drove a few blocks to the lighthouse.

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As much as I loved the lighthouse, I especially the loved the old light keeper’s house beside it.  (Which is now owned by a private individual.)    The old tree in front of the house was gorgeous.

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And then it was back on the ferry . . .

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and back to the lovely view from our very own (borrowed) balcony.

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Such a lovely time. 

Such a great opportunity to take life real, real, slow.

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For you folks who like to see on a real map where things take place, I have included one for you.  A lot of people have trouble picturing what the Outer Banks are so hopefully this will help make it clearer.

The Outer Banks are the strip of islands out in the Atlantic.  If you’ll look to the left (um, I mean, to the west) of that string of islands, you will see Roanoke Island and Manteo.  Looking north on the Outer Banks, you’ll see Corolla, which is where we went a couple weeks ago to see the wild horses.

Heading South, you’ll see Rodanthe (yes, it’s where the movie “Nights at Rodanthe” was filmed) Waves, and Salvo. That’s the little area where we’re staying on vacation.  And if you look way south on the map, you’ll see Ocracoke Island which is where today’s story happened.

There.  Now you have received an official (albeit brief) education about the Outer Banks.  Wasn’t that fun?

map use

 

13 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Anonymous said...

Oh, thank you for the pictures! I have a lot of family that live there - our family used to own the land that now has the Coast Guard base on it. Can't wait to go back!

Praying for you! L in Alaska

Shannon said...

Please know I am holding you in my thoughts and prayers for your upcoming surgery!!!

Anonymous said...

Becky, check your yahoo email, please. I have a question about the Smithfield house...praying for you...

Sandy/Clayton

Love Being A Nonny said...

Still praying for you.

MaryH said...

That was great fun. We are getting the waiting room set up and it will be filled to overflowing with all your prayer warriors - I hope you will feel that circle of prayer, strength and friendship. Also, will someone be posting something, somewhere for all of us so we know you how you are doing? I know how much you like to blog but I doubt they let you do that in recovery!!! Praying with faith and hope for the all the best.

Ericka said...

Will Steve or Sarah be able to update us while you are unable to? Best, best, best of luck.

LizW said...

Becky, I am so glad you and Steve got to have this time to de-stress as much as possible. You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Will Steve or Sarah be able to update us on things are going? We certainly don't expect you to be posting for awhile!
Just remember, there are a whole lot of us out here who care very much that all goes well for you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the pics. We love Ocracoke Island! Praying for you, Becky.

Hope
Raleigh, NC

Anonymous said...

wonderful photos!
so, do we get to guess on the origin for the bookstore's name? the original sign maker goofed on the spelling, but since it was so catchy, they re-did it and painted 'red' red. sounds plausible to me.

praying for you to feel God's peace as you prepare for surgery, Becky.

mrs pam

Leece said...

Hello - you don't know me but I stumbled upon your blog and I'd like to say my love and prayers are with you all in the coming days, weeks and months.

BookishRN said...

Found you in the blog world just through my love of the Outer Banks and Manteo. Thinking of you, too - and hope to visit your church in a month when we vacation in South Nags Head.

Anonymous said...

Becky, I, too, am so glad that you and Steve had this special time together before getting over this bump and starting down this new road in your journey together. Much, much love and many, many prayers are being sent your way. Hugs to all of you. Linda in Pittsburgh

Anonymous said...

So glad you had this time to rest your mind and body before heading into the surgery before you. Praying today for peace that passeth all understanding as you face this next step.