Monday, April 18, 2011

Sunday.

We woke up yesterday morning very thankful to have made it through the night safely. As most of you probably heard, North Carolina experienced two dozen deaths and heavy damage from multiple tornadoes that came through the state on Saturday. A tornado did touch down further up the beach from us but all we got here in Manteo were a couple hours of heavy rain and high winds—which caused our Saturday night sleep to be a bit restless, I might add.

We did find out that a tornado touched down in our old neighborhood in Smithfield; here are a few pictures taken by some friends who have a home there.

tornado collage2

As much as I hate scary storms, one thing I do love about them is that when they are over, they leave behind such amazingly fresh and newly cleansed air.

As Sarah and I were leaving for church about 8 am yesterday morning, I paused for a moment on the porch, took in the deepest breath that these COPD-afflicted lungs would allow and then just sighed for the pure joy of it. I mean, it was one of those mornings when you just want to drink the air, it was that crisp and that sweet.

I said to Sarah, “Do you think your dad would notice if I didn’t show up at worship band rehearsal or at church this morning?”

Alas, Sarah responded that I would probably would be missed just a tad and that we really should be going.

And so we went--accompanied by lovely spring air the whole way.

After having guests to our house for lunch, taking our sacrosanct Sunday afternoon nap (we were especially wiped out after a ten-hour work day on Saturday), it was finally time for Steve’s and my late afternoon-ish, quasi-early evening-ish bike ride.

We got our (on sale from Walmart) bikes out of the garage and started getting ourselves helmeted and otherwise prepared for our imminent take off.

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However, our plans were delayed just slightly when my be-helmeted hubby got a phone call.

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So while he talked, I entertained myself by wandering around the yard with my camera and taking pictures of beautiful, spring time (allergy-causing) flowers.

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I also took a picture of a bumble bee. How exciting is that?

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At long last we were on the bike trail which (happily) passes just a block from our house. The air was still cool and still fresh and I was one happy woman to be pedaling along in it.

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We rode down to the north end of the island and paused for a moment by this, um, body of water. (I can never remember what it’s called. A bay? A sound? An inlet? My Body of Water Knowledge Bank is rather limited.)

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Then on the way back to the house, we stopped by Manteo’s newest attraction—a historic windmill that has just been relocated to a piece of land right on the bike trail.

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Across the road from the windmill, is The Island Farm which provided plenty of opportunities for me to take pictures of loveliness. (While Steve waited patiently.)

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But with all the lovely things we saw on our bicycle-eaque meanderings, the most beautiful sight of all was this one at the end of the journey. Home sweet home.

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COMMENTS

AnonymousAnonymous said, “Becky, Do you know anything about Martinsville NC? Do you live nearby? My husband is waiting on a phone interview with a local hospital there. Guess what area? Sleep Disorders. Anyway, if you know anything about the town, can you let me know please? Thanks.”

Well, I’m afraid that I can’t be of much help on this topic because I didn’t even know there was a town in NC called Martinsville until you asked about it. So I learned something new today!

Although I can’t tell you much about that town in particular, I will tell you that the state of North Carolina is such a great place to live with mountains and the ocean both within driving distance, as well as four distinct seasons. You’d love it.

Good luck to your husband on his interview!

AnonymousLisa said, “You have made the Outer Banks look so appealing that I am considering a trip there this summer for my husbands and my 20th Anniversary. Would you be kind enough to do a post of "must see", "must eat" and "must stay" for us?? You have talked about several places since you have been there and I don't know if I have found all of them in the archives. So maybe a Travel Brochure post as such...who knows you may be on to something with that.”

Lisa, I’m happy to hear that my Outer Bank writings have made you want to come for a visit; it really is a great place and quite unlike any other area of the country.

And although I’m honored that you would think I’m knowledgeable enough to writer a Travel Brochure type of post, I’m still such a newbie around here that I don’t know about even half of the things that are available here. Maybe in ten years or so, I might consider myself a bit more qualified for that job!

However, a good place for you to start is at OBX.com; you can also Google the Outer Banks and find out all sorts of helpful information.

As for the stuff I’ve written about it in the past, I’ve tried to put a Manteo label each of those posts; if you scroll down the right column of the blog you’ll see a heading that says, “Subjects I’ve Covered.” You can click on the Manteo label and pull up all 27 (or so) of my past posts about our town and the Outer Banks in general.

I hope that’s helpful and happy twentieth anniversary!


EDITED TO ADD:

After reading the post above, some other Outer Banks suggestions have come in which I'll post below.

From Buff:

One place you must eat for yummy local seafood is Lone Cedar Cafe, owned by NC's Senator Basnight! Best food around...I think you said another time that you have eaten there.

Also, Sam & Omies..

They should check out Jockey's Ridge and Wright Brothers Memorial...And they must visit Hatteras...cross the big scary bridge, check out the Serendipity house which was the Inn in Nights in Rodanthe and climb the Hatteras Lighthouse! (Just a couple things to do when visiting...)


Anonymous said, One of my favorite Outer Banks destinations is Ortegaz, right there in Manteo. Fantastic food, wonderful service, and fair prices!

Rachel said,

Favorite eateries -- Tortugas Lie, The Nags Head Pier House Restaurant and Barefoot Bernies

Favorite Thing to Do -- Lay on the beach, walk on the beack, BE ON THE BEACH... for real though, it's vacation ;)

Favorite OTHER things to do -- Horseback riding on the beach in Hatteras was expensive ($100 per person) but AMAZING. Visiting the lighthouses. Jockey's Ridge, Nags Head Woods, Wild horse tours in Corolla.

Favorite shopping spots -- The Duck Waterfront Shops, Manteo (the Christmas shop and the Manteo Bookstores are the BEST!), Kitty Hawk Kites

Other than that, I know we really love it because we go every year at the same time and we see a lot of the same faces. OBX is a community not only of the people who live there, but of the vacationers who go year after year as well. Many of the people who work there remember us from years before and I just love that!


Brooke said,

When I was a kid we'd rent a big house with one of my stepmother's brothers in Frisco (just south of the Hatteras Lighthouse). Those weeks were some of the best of my summer. Along with all the swimming and playing in the ocean, there's a great little bookstore in Buxton that I just loved (thats still there!http://www.buxtonvillagebooks.com/ ).

In November of 2009 my father rented a house at Buxton for a few days, right on the beach. My father, stepmother, brother + family, and I gathered there to spend time together. It was LOVELY. It was the last vacation I took with Dad, he died April 24, 2010. I think that was also the last time Dad saw the ocean too. That is the most treasured trip I've taken to the OBX so far. It will have to be something HUGE for a trip to the OBX to be more treasured.

So, yeah, the OBX, I love them. I love them in November better than August, but I love to swim in the ocean, and November isn't a good time to swim in the ocean. It's a horrible crux.

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

Grace on the Narrow Path said...

I did hear about the storm/tornados in the NC area. I hope no one was killed.
What a beautiful place ... I love the Outer Banks. We are hoping to visit Hilton Head sometime soon. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Bren

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure the north end of Manteo is on the Albemarle Sound..There are some bays out there, too. Buzzard, I think, is one..
One place you must eat for yummy local seafood is Lone Cedar Cafe, owned by NC's Senator Basnight! Best food around...I think you said another time that you have eaten there.
Also, Sam & Omies..

They should check out Jockey's Ridge and Wright Brothers Memorial...And they must visit Hatteras...cross the big scary bridge, check out the Serendipity house which was the Inn in Nights in Rodanthe and climb the Hatteras Lighthouse! (Just a couple things to do when visiting...)

I have cousins in Raleigh. They were without electricity but their neighborhoods were spared the tornadoes..

My daughter, grandson who is 18 months old and me will be heading down to Pamlico County for my mom's 80th birthday on April 28-May 2. Hate to be that close to OBX and not get there, but will be back this summer!
Buff

Anonymous said...

These pictures are beautiful. I want to visit the OBX some day too.
I have missed reading and commenting on your blog. My computer died and now I'm trying to get used to Keith's MacBook. ( I had a Dell and used AOL) until this point.
He has ordered an ipad2 for me, so I'm very excited about that.
I need to go back and read all your posts that I missed.
Have a great day, Becky. Love,
Kim
from Kingston TN

MaryH said...

Glad you are all okay. I thought of you as I heard of the storm damage in your area. We have certainly had a season of crazy storms - including a tornado on New Year's Eve here in St. Louis - it did some mighty big damage - but we are usually dealing with snow, not tornados as the year ends. Take care.

Linda R. said...

Glad you weren't in the really bad storms, but still praying for the ones who were. We are due for strong ones tomorrow evening, including tornadoes, the weatherman says. I don't like any kind of storm.....winter, spring, summer or fall!!

Everything looks so green out there. We are just now seeing some different shades of green in the trees,the lilacs are blooming and the dogwood trees are beautiful!!

Enjoyed the pictures along the way of your bike ride. Looks like beautiful country out there!!

Have a good week!

Almost forgot to tell you......grandkidlet #17 is due the end of June. This will be #7 for our youngest daughter!

Love, hugs and ladybugs.....

Heidi said...

I wondered if you'd ever crossed paths with Nathan or Tricia from cfhusband.blogspot.com? I check Nathans blog as well and I know he too is a minister and in the OBX area.

The Pennington Point said...

You've talked me into it. I'll be right there! :) Lisa~

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