OBX 2009

FANTASTIC week in the Outer Banks with the Hannas and the Odells. Great drive down, tolerable drive back (not counting NJ) and just great stuff in between. We had a couple red flag days at the beginning from the wave remnants of hurricane Bill, but it was all typical NC surf after that. The first day or so had big surf and the tide came up so far there was literally no beach. Water right up to the dunes (never saw that before). We made runs down there the first night after the kids went to bed.

The women got the first run. "Oooh look how far out I'm going..." (Deb)

"Has she been drinking?" (male bystander)

"Uh, yeah." (me)

"Mmmm, keep an eye on her..." (male bystander)

Ok, we were being a little bit wussy about it, but, out of concern...

Kids managed to have fun in the red flag (no swimming) days. Lifeguards seemed to be ok with going in knee deep. So, we sat in the surf to keep cool. Sadly, on day 2 I forgot to apply sunscreen to my legs (senior moment?) and got a bit fried.

We did something new and rented Jeeps this year to drive up to Swan, NC (where it's only sand roads and 4 wheeling) to see the wild horses. It was REALLY hot and sunny, and the Jeep was a bit bumpy for some of us (Bec has bruises, that's all I'm sayin') but the horses were so neat. We also saw dolphins breaching in the ocean, and lots of neat houses you can't see unless you have 4 wheel drive. It's VERY tempting to rent up there sometime...

Kids had a ball playing with the other kids. We barely saw them! There was a lot of gimp, matchy "squirrel" (aka skunk) nightgowns, DS "pictochatting", pool and beach play.

The adults always seem to have fun (despite 1 day of broken A/C. I think it reached 85 degrees on the top floor?) with cards, guac, Oreos and a couple of adult beverages.

I took lots of pix, did some skinny dipping (gasp) and only used the outdoor shower (which I miss dreadfully).

The only low point was on Friday when a 12 year old boy from NY went missing in the surf about 2 miles south of us. The local rescue and Coast Guard searched until dark, but couldn't find him. I spent that day until 5:00 at the beach and couldn't quite keep my eyes off the water, hoping to see him bobbing to safety. His family has not been far from my mind ever since. It only shows that life can change in an instant, and you have to enjoy every minute and grab every morsel of joy out of it.

So, thanks to the Hannas and the Odells for helping to create another year's worth of great vacation memories, they will last a lifetime for all of us!!!