I’m not exactly sure how many parts I’m going to split these North Carolina posts into…but I have a lot of great pictures and I want to share them all! But don’t worry – I won’t…I’ll try really hard to just show you the best of the best.
We loaded into our van at 4am on Friday morning and headed out with the three girls all strapped in with new coloring books, Leapster’s, and presents to unwrap along the way. I made each of them a tote with ‘things’ in them to keep them entertained on the 18hour plus car ride to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I wrapped them up in newspaper to make it more excited for them along the way. When they’d start to get antsy or where being really good I’d let them open up a ‘present’ which was either a new coloring book, a tube of plastic figurines, colors, or books. It worked really well and I was amazed at how well behaved they were on the trip with very little fighting. The first day we drove until we got to Charleston, West Virginia where we found a hotel with a pool and let the girls swim to get some energy out. The next day we took our time, had breakfast and continued on our journey.
Just before 4pm we arrived at the Out Banks ready to get the key to the little house we rented!
Here’s our little house. It had three bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen and a family room. It was perfect! The big girls shared a bedroom, Jared and I had a room and Pip either slept in the third room or in our rather large walk in closet. Aunt Karma slept on the couch that was also a pull out.
The girls waiting patiently for their donuts from Duck Donuts.
We were just a short block walk to the beach and a few blocks away from the delicious ‘Duck Donuts’ that we frequented for breakfast a few times throughout the week. With small children, this worked out extremely well to have a house. We had a ‘home base’ so if Pip needed a nap we could bring her back to take it while the girls and an adult stayed at the beach. Also – once we got there we didn’t have to drive very much since our sole goal on the vacation was to be at the beach.
My girls and I on the beach.
Playing in the ocean…it took Pip a few days to get used to it but she did!
My beautiful ladies under the pier.
We went on top of the pier one morning and a kid had just caught this puffer fish! It was cool to see it!
Jared and I…
Before we left – their cousin Shaun and his fiance Maria gave the girls new swimming suits! They loved them and wore them many of the days on the beach! We had to get a shot of how cute they all looked!
The family – all ready for the beach!
An early morning shot under the pier…
Great pics! Looks like you had a fabulous time. There's nothing quite like the ocean. Love the Outer Banks.
Ah, thanks for sharing pics. I've been to the Outer Banks most of the past 40 years, and it sort of feels like home away from home. My kids have grown up doing vacations there, they totally love it. We have so many family traditions, including the outdoor drama "The Lost Colony" (your kids are too young for now;), eating at Wanchese at The Fisherman's Wharf, renting boats and jet skis on the sound near the bridge to Manteo, eating and dancing at the 50s place Big Al's, and so much more! I hope we can make a trip there this summer. So glad y'all had a great trip, can't wait to see more pics.
Mary
Looks like you had a great time in my home state!
It's funny when you live near the ocean you forget what a big deal it really is and how much fun someone who doesn't live near it, will have. Especially the kiddos. The Outerbanks is practically in the back yard for us – and what we enjoy is Kitty Hawk, Ocracoke Island, (you can only get there by ferry or plane). 18 hours certainly is a ways to travel for the beach – I'm glad you had such a good time.