Sunset on Kill Devil Hills

More OBX Beach Pictures

OBX Beach Pictures

Shots of the beaches along the Outer Banks. Most are at Kill Devil Hills, but a couple are further south at Coquina Beach and Hatteras.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

While on vacation to the Outer Banks we took a break from the beach one afternoon to drive across the bridge to Roanoke Island and visit the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.  Home of the "Lost Colony".  After viewing a short film on the first settlement on Roanoke Island and the Lost Colony, we took a walk along the nature trail at the site.

The pathway begins with markers to commemorate the Lost Colonists, Virginia Dare, and the Roanoke Island Freedman's Colony.

The path winds past the reconstruction of an earthen fort.  The kids took time to explore the "fort".  It even brought out the Princess's playful side. 

After passing the area where the "Lost Colony" play is held, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves right along the sound.  The waves lapping at the sand called to us to stop and enjoy the breeze, and the beauty of the sound.  Imagine what the first European settlers must have thought landing here for the first time.

The trail is a rather short, easy walk.  And it's nice to get just wander under the trees and get out of the heat of the sun for a while.

A nice way to spend a couple of hours while visiting the OBX

Sunrise On Kill Devil Hills

Fresh Raspberries

Picked this afternoon in my backyard!

Little Man Vs. Food

I think the Little Man watches too much tv.  Food Network and Travel Channel to be specific.  He's already creating his own monster sandwich challenges. 

He slices some good bun-length hotdogs in half length-wise and cooks them.  On a griddle, short order cook style.  He then puts them on lightly toasted sub rolls. 

These are then topped with... everything!  Mustard, ketchup, melted cheese, chili, coleslaw, pickles, and shoestring frenchfries!

Yep, they're pretty good.  But you can actually feel your arteries clogging as you eat one of these creations. 

I can't say exactly where his inspiration came from.  Some show featuring Primanti Bros in Pittsburgh?  Something he saw on "Chowdown Countdown" or "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives"?  One of the "Man Vs. Food challenges?  But who knows... maybe I have the next Adam Richman in my house?

Home Sweet Hen House

It's completed! The Man of the House finished the chicken tractor on Saturday and moved it out into the yard. And I have to say it's pretty darn impressive!!  I love it, and I hope the chicks do too!

 

We were all ready for our newest family members to arrive!  We picked them up Sunday afternoon and brought them to their new home.  They seem to be settling in pretty well, so far. 

The three white hens are Ameraucanas and the black speckled ones are Dominiques.  We're already picking some names and seeing a little of their personalities.  The tiniest chick was immediately named Small Fry (or just "Fry" for short) by the Little Man.  And the smallest Ameraucana he named "Shelly".  I've started calling the largest Dominique "Miss Muffet" because she spends most of her time just sitting around.  And the middle Dominique has been named "Amelia", as in Earhart because she likes to fly all over the coop.  The two largest are still nameless.  The Princess has been given rights to decide what they shall be called.

They won't start laying until sometime this fall.  And I can't wait for all the lovely, fresh greenish/blueish and brown eggs!

It Was Good - While It Lasted

Ahhh... vacation.  A time to relax.  A time to unwind.  A time to slow down and just enjoy each day.  And that's exactly what we did.

This year's trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina was another big win.  Sitting on the beach, soaking in the sun, the surf, the sand.  Light houses, historical sites, surf and sound fishing for the guys.  It was a glorious, stress free week!   (Disclaimer - several of the next few posts to this blog will be trip related.  So, if you're interested in our vacation - you're in for a treat.  If you're scowling at the idea of having to sit through a slide show of our trip - you may want to just skip reading those posts.)

But, as we know - all good things must come to an end.  As did our vacation.  With a bang.  Literally.  As we started to cruise our way out of the Piedmont and into the Mountains - the family vehicle chose that moment to throw a rod.  Bringing the trip to a rather abrupt end.  Fortunately it was at the end of the trip.  And we were close enough to home to have family come rescue us rather quickly and close enough to have the car towed to town.  Unfortunately we are now looking at the unexpected expense of putting a new engine into the vehicle. 

What is it with us, transmissions, and vacations??  We ended up with this car 5 years ago when the transmission went out on our minivan while in Florida!  Only 2 exits away from our destination of the day: Sea World.  That time we were also fortunate to be within driving range of the Florida relatives and to have a brother in law who worked for a car dealership. 

They say there's a bright side to every penny.  I suppose our bright side is that even when these automobile related disasters occur we have never been stranded in the middle of nowhere, and it has never ruined the actual vacation.  Which was good... while it lasted.