September 30, 2005 9:25 AM
Hello from the Outer Banks
No, Julana, we didn't run away to join the circus! But wouldn't that be fun?
Instead, we left early Sunday for North Carolina. If you look at a map, there's a 60-mile long island/series of islands off the shore of North Carolina known collectively as the Outer Banks. We rented a house in South Nags Head to take our first full family vacation in what? - maybe five years.
Let me just say this: Tripp and I have realized the error of our ways in not being more religious about family vacations and we have apologized to our kids. This week has shown us that vacations are as necessary for families as keeping the Sabbath. There's just something wonderful about sharing a week with nothing to do other than feeding and cleaning up after yourselves.
The house we are staying in is 25 feet from the beach!! We get up in the morning and hit the surf almost immediately. The big kids and my hubby can ride the waves for hours. Me, I'm more timid about the water, which is very powerful here (more about that later). At night we keep the windows open and fall asleep to the pounding waves and the breezes over our bodies.
Jesse, Daniel, and Justin have a wonderful time running along the water's edge and being brave with the small waves, then digging and building sandcastles. I read and keep an eye on the proceedings and accept the precious offerings of broken shells. It seems there is no such thing as a worthless shell here - at least to the Curtis kids.
The house is old and funky but has 6 bedrooms. Tonight Ben and Zach will join us - we wanted them to come earlier but Zach didn't want to miss school and Ben had a performance today. So there is room for everyone. Even though the house is not a showcase, in the summer it rents for $4895 a week.
Which is why we came off-season. Our rent is $1200 this week, and we have been blessed with the most glorious weather! Actually I wouldn't want to come here in the summer when it's hot and crowded. We have the entire beach front between our house and the shore to ourselves. the closest people are a good 100 yards away fishing.
This was my family's first experience with the Atlantic Ocean (since I'm originally from the East coast, it's not mine - and I was last in Nags Head 35 years ago when there was little here but sand dunes). Theyh are loving it. Always intrepid swimmers, even in the frost waters of northern California, they are thrilled at how warm and inviting the water here is. And does the Atlantic have more salt than the Pacific? It tastes like it. And seems more bouyant.
Well, the waves are calling. We will be home soon and I will be back to my blog and other writing. I haven't been writing articles much lately, but have received three assignments to complete in October. Plus I have that book due in January.
Arrgghh! I can feel the stress of shoulds, coulds, woulds creeping in - better say good-bye!
Comments
So glad you're having a good time! We miss you, though. I can't wait for you to be back!
Posted by: Rachel | September 30, 2005 9:55 AM
Have a GREAT vacation Barbara!!! We look forward to hearing more from you whenever you get the chance. No Worries! Have a "Brilliant" time! ;)
Posted by: Kristy | October 3, 2005 8:15 AM
"A joy delayed is a joy enhanced."
Posted by: Genevieve | October 3, 2005 3:00 PM
Wow, sounds wonderful! Hope you enjoy your vacation and get safely home. So nice to be able to take off season vacations because you home school, huh?
Posted by: Khyraen | October 5, 2005 1:50 AM
