What is summer vacation without a trip to the beach?
It was time for our annual trip to North Carolina’s outer banks.
Even though it is only our second trip to OBX, i feel like i finally have the hang of it.
What roads to take or NOT take. How much to pack. What food to make.
No matter how prepared i am our car is still loaded with sand when we return home. Great exfoliation at its finest.
It is still worth the trip to play with cousins,
grandparents and
aunts and uncles.
Most importantly
we are together, away from everyday life.
(We found uncle alex’s 2011 swim trunks. Get your buns ready).
OBX is ideal for swimming and playing in the surf. The water is the perfect temperature and the breeze is just right for cooling us off on a 85 degree day.
It is perfect for boogie boarding.
It is perfect for digging to China,
fishing,
beach games,
catching crabs,
flying kites,
and relaxing.
Once the pirates came out we knew it was time for some adventures away from the beach.
We headed to the Wright Brothers Memorial, the place where they took their first flight.
We climbed around the 60-foot granite monument which is perched atop 90-foot tall Kill Devil Hill commemorating the Wright Brothers achievements.
A quick stop at the Duck fire station for directions evolved into a private tour of the firehouse. “I drive this one.” Alexander declared.
From the top of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla we could see miles down the Atlantic coast. This lighthouse stands 162 feet, 214 steps to the top and approximately 1 million bricks.
Our Z-man decided heights were not his thing. “Did i mention i am afraid of heights?” were his exact words.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park was on our bucket list of places to visit. It is the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern US and an impressive sight with the Atlantic on one side and the sound on the other.
Why are the sand dunes in Idaho near beloved BYU Idaho not nationally recognized? They are 3 times as big.
Jon says it is because no one cares..
Every evening the kids grabbed their buckets and flashlights then headed to the beach to catch the “BIG” crabs.
On one particular afternoon a few of us swam out to a sandbar, then quickly returned to find out we swam in a area swarmed with sea lice. I was itching EVERYWHERE, willing to do anything to make the sensation go away. Ahhh! Of course ripping off my swimsuit crossed my mind. Then i remembered i have a ‘colonial white’ pregnant belly that no one needed to see.
Needless to say a clean shower and a new swimsuit made all the difference.
i am grateful Alicia grabbed her camera and snapped a few pictures of our family. Thanks!
Yes, these are my boys.
The boys are already busy planning their next vacation back to the beach.
Bishopp family, we plan to see you there!
What a grand vacation! It looked really fun. Did you know I am coming to DC? My sister and I will be there Thursday night for a week. I'll give you a call. Oh, wait. I don't have a phone number. Could you email it to me?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
JoAnn
That was the best vacation write up EVER!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great trip.
ReplyDeleteChris
i love the family pics. and i can't wait to see a baby girl in there soon enough.
ReplyDeleteand wow the sea lice makes me itchy just reading about it. yikes.
I love it!! You have a beautiful family :)
ReplyDeleteglad you got to share the beach with the whole bishopp family. also glad you got your great family pictures on the beach. the question is, when are you going to start showing, dang it!
ReplyDelete