Outer Banks Day 10

Previously we had flag shirts and red shirts; today it's Clive Cussler books.

Meanwhile Maggie learned about sand castle building

and the rising tide,

and she spent more time in her little beach chair.

Jenay and Jo waited

while Jeremy grilled sockeye salmon and potatoes for dinner.

We know it's not native, but it was delicious.

Outer Banks Day 9

Jo rode a few waves on the boogie board today,

and Maggie tried out her new beach chair and tested the water. By the way, the water temperature was over 80 this afternoon.

Outer Banks Day 8

First Jeremy, Amanda, and Maggie arrived, and a couple hours later Jo got here. Maggie's walking unassisted for short distances.

Yesterday we had flag shirts; today was red shirts. Left to right, Emily, Jeffrey, Jeremy, and John.

Dinner tonight was baby back ribs, courtesy of Steve and Jenay. Steve was assisted by consultant John.

Now that everyone's here (at least everyone that's planning on coming -- Jesse and Aurora are otherwise occupied in Pittsburgh), it takes two full tables for dinner,

plus Maggie's high chair. While we ate our ribs, she experimented with the concept of baked beans as a finger food.

After dinner, and after sunset,
there was a brief bocce tournament on the beach. The old guys (John & I) emerged victorious.

Outer Banks Day 7

No July 4 fireworks in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, or Nags Head this year, but at least John and I wore our flag t-shirts.

Outer Banks Day 6

I don't have Photoshop on the MacBook, so you'll have to merge these two together in you mind to make a panorama. In any case, the point is eight chairs and eight people. Everybody was at the beach at the same time today.

Outer Banks Day 5

Another beautiful day -- water in the upper 70's.

Iconic beach image -- pelicans going one way and a plane with an ad going the other (it's there; click to expand the picture).

Jeffrey and Emily did dinner (cheeseburgers);
actually, Jeff cooked and Emily and Jenay watched.

Outer Banks Day 4

Tuesday was hot and humid with the water temperature below 60. Wednesday was cool and foggy with the water in the mid-50's. Finally today was beautiful. Low humidity, low 80's, and water in the upper 70's. However it was choppy, so one of us didn't go swimming.

Also, Jeffrey and Emily arrived early this a.m.

Dinner was grilled rack of pork.

Outer Banks Day 1

We arrived in Kill Devil Hills around noon yesterday, had lunch, checked in to the OBBC, unloaded Mr. Toad, and went to the beach. Hot air and cold water -- lower nineties and only 66 degrees respectively. Then we filled Mr. Toad up again with groceries at Food Lion, lugged them upstairs, and went out for dinner at the Collington Inn. Note Mr. Toad in the lower left.

Day Three: Bumpass, VA

We actually got to Bumpass on Saturday, in time for a late dinner.

Bumpass, by the way, is pronounced bumpus, not bump ASS or bum PASS.

In any case, today is John's birthday, which we celebrated with gifts

and a delicious dinner of racks of lamb.

Tomorrow we head for the beach, at Kill Devil Hills, NC. Internet access is spotty there, so updates may be small, late, or non-existent.

Day Two: Lexington, VA

Lexington Valley Vineyards

and a final look at CJ's house.

First Day of Vacation: Springfield to Lexington, VA

We got up early Friday morning and made it to Klines in Harrisonburg, VA in time for desert (after lunch). I had peach; CL had chocolate; MrToad had nothing.

Next stop: Rockbridge Vineyards, where we picked up a bit of wine for the beach and to take home to age.

Then CL's brother, George.

Final stop: friend Carolyn Jean has just finished restoring an old farmhouse (her grandmother's), and we were the first to spend the night in it. She did a wonderful job with it.

And, finally, a couple sunset pictures from the house.

Hi, from Maggie

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Last night we were at the Iron Horse Music Hall again. This time for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. They're a New Orleans brass band that's been around for years, and they put on a great, high energy concert. Last night we got an additional treat: Charles Neville (2nd oldest of the Neville brothers) was sitting in. He's second from the right in this picture.