2/12/2011

I Can't Wait for Days in Rodanthe this Summer








As you turn on to HWY. 12 South, at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, you are not quite sure how to take what you are seeing (I know I couldn't) and what you are not seeing. Nature is what you are privileged to look at. No buildings or billboards assault you. For about ten minutes you ride only seeing nature, and then you come upon the Bonner Bridge, which crosses over the Pamlico Sound. This is the last connection you have to the rest of the world. When you cross the bridge you are now on Hatteras Island and I remember getting chills, at this point in our trip.

After crossing the Bonner Bridge, you will continue to see huge sand dunes on your left; they are all that separate you from the ocean. You can see the ocean between the valleys of the dunes. On your right is Pamlico Sound, which is in full view on most of your ride. 
The first village you come to is Rodanthe.  There are two adjoining villages; Waves and Salvo.  No traffic lights here. And there is only one franchised business, Dairy Queen. No Starbuck’s, McDonald’s, Burger King or Domino’s. Mom and pop restaurants and businesses are what they have here. The closest grocery store is 20 minutes away. You can get necessities from the privately owned gas stations/convenience stores.

You can literally have your feet in the ocean and in less than five minutes, you can walk over to the Palmellico Sound and put your feet in over there, as well as kite, wind surf or kayak. You can also walk from the beginning of Rodanthe to the end of Salvo in about two hours, depending on whether you walk on the road or the beach. Entire families can be seen not only walking to the beach, but down the street to The Conery for ice cream or up the street to Lisa’s Pizza for dinner.
The beaches are not crowded with people but full of wildlife. Pelicans, seagulls, sand pipers, porpoises, whales and horseshoe crabs are common sights here. Little sand crabs can be seen nervously scurrying in and out of their holes and large sand crabs come out and stare at you trying to figure out what you’re doing sitting right outside of their hole.

Rodanthe is still a pretty secluded place and certainly captivating. Some of nature’s finest works are all around you all day and all night. I am making my reservations now and cannot wait to make it back to the OBX this summer for fabulous Days and Nights in Rodanthe!!!

2/07/2011

Super Bowl Weekend!!!




I love love love Super Bowl Weekend and look forward to throwing out the food and beverages for my friends and family every year!  Young and old gathered at my place this year to watch the game and laugh at the commercials.  WE had an absolute BLAST this year!  My neighbor and I even put on our own show at half time ;)  I ended up winning $50 in the football pool at work too...can't beat that.  Too bad my Steeler's couldn't pull it off but there's always next year. 

The ROTC Military Banquet and Ball








This past Saturday we attended my Neice Taylor's Military Banquet and Ball where we enjoyed a fabulous dinner and awards ceremony.  Taylor is the commanding officer of her ROTC High School group and she made her whole family extremely proud.  She was also nominated to be on the Royal Court so we were all hoping that she would be crowned Queen which she was!!  Taylor's name was called over and over again for every award or commondation that was given on this special night and at the end of the award ceremony she was promoted to Lieutenant Commander the highest rank that they have.  I am so proud of this exceptional young woman and look forward to seeing her continue to prosper in college this fall.  Way to go Taylor!!!