Beach Peace...

As I wrapped the final few BIKE MS bake sale cookies, all I could

think about was putting away all my cookie-making supplies, cleaning up

my kitchen and escaping to a place where I could hear the waves crash!

The coast was screaming my name and everything inside of me was

ready for a break! A break from six weeks of cookies, a break from my

thoughts about Ranger's upcoming deployment, a break from being

side-lined by a torn Achilles. And, a break from being homesick for the sea!

The last time I stood in this spot staring at Hatteras lighthouse, it was
still closed to tours and badly in need of fresh paint and landscaping...

Yet, despite the shortcomings of Hatteras back then, I would give anything

to be transported back to that day when these guys stood in front of me!

However, since time stands still for no one...

On we go!

On the promise of the new memories I
hope will be made here one day soon...

The North Carolina coastline is high on mom and dad's to-do list...

So one day soon I hope to be standing here with them!

And, who knows...

Ranger recently introduced us to the one...

So maybe we'll be gazing over this view with them one day too!

As I get older, I realize it's faith, hope and the possibility of what's to come

that makes me jump out of bed every morning and keeps me moving forward...

Yes indeed... I needed this!

And, so did the man who hadn't had a home-cooked meal in nearly

two months while the kitchen was in full-on cookie production mode!

Standing on this platform is where I made

the decision to go home for Christmas...

Today I decided life's too short to allow my fear
of flying separate me from my mom and dad!

Therefore, I'll be home for Christmas!

And, pretty soon I'll be able to show you my most

favorite Lighthouse view from Pigeon Point!

Hatteras Light...

257 steps of mind-clearing, soul-calming therapy!

It's there for the taking if you need it. And, I...

Highly recommend it!

From bed to beach... That was our mission on this day!

Although we've crawled all over North Carolina's coastline since

relocating here from Monterey, Bald Head Island, Kitty Hawk

on the Outer Banks and Wrightsville still remain our favorites!

However, a trip to Kitty Hawk isn't complete

without a ferry ride to Ocracoke Island Village!

Not exactly where I'd like to ride out a

hurricane but on a clear, late-summer day like today...

Ocracoke Island will do just fine!

Last one on, last off... Fine with us!

The boys thought this was so cool!

Back and forth the ferries run...

No charge... Just drive up and float on over to the island!

Hitch-hikers of the feathered kind are encouraged and welcome too!

This was a great day!

Especially for sandbar parties!

Here comes the Frisco ferry and its headed straight for us!

Off the ferry and off to explore Ocracoke Island again!

Our first stop was of course, Ocracoke lighthouse!

So stinkin' cute!

Unfortunately, there are no tours allowed!

Still worth the effort to see and, it reminds me a little of Bug Light!

If I lived on Ocracoke Island, this would be my cottage!

It's perfect in that, Carmel-by-the-Sea way I love so much!

Suddenly, we realized we hadn't eaten all day!

So we stopped at SMackNally's where

they promise the best burgers on Ocracoke!

It never disappoints!

Pesto burgers devoured, we headed back to Kitty Hawk to check in...

By Ferry, of course!

Refreshed, relaxed...

And, frankly... Ready for a nap!

On the way back to Kitty Hawk from Hatteras we saw lots of familiar things...

Like this UFO house, which William thought was the coolest thing ever when
we first discovered it. Of course, we had to stop and take photos to e-mail him!

Finally!

Since this trip was executed on a desperate whim without notice,
we settled for the first hotel that could deliver us a full ocean view!

Fortunately, this room with the perfect ocean view was delivered
by the nicest Hilton Garden Inn we have ever stayed in!

Our room was spotless...

On the top floor corner and very spacious!

And, it came with fantastic service!

Best of all, there is a terrific restaurant so we could park the Jeep and stay awhile!

After a shower and a nap we wandered out to the pier...

We watched a storm roll in over the beach...

And sat for a while, listening to the sweet music

of the crashing waves and the pounding rain!

We slept with the balcony door wide open to let the ocean breeze and sound

of the waves in... And, with the AC cranked down to 60 degrees, of course!

The next morning we walked the beach!

It was heaven!

We had the place all to ourselves!

Just as we ordered it!

And, needed it!

No... It's not Monterey. But this will do. Besides...

The water is much warmer!

And, these bioluminescent jellies take the place

of the sea kelp that litters my Asilomar beach!

The birds look the same though!

On our way back from our walk, the beach began to fill up...

Which was fine...

Because as much as we prefer to walk the beach alone...

Seeing this reminds us of what summer by the Atlantic shore is all about!

Little girls chatting side by side, sitting in the sand...

While young boys ride their boogie-boards!

After our breakfast...

We took our showers and another nap...

Then we reluctantly packed our bags...

Took another long, long look at the view...

And, headed down to drive on the beach to see the Wild Horses!

To see them you'll have to come on down yourself...

Or find another blogger who remembered to charge her
camera battery the night before she headed out to see them!

Trust me... It's well worth the wild ride you'll take along the beach!

After lunch at the Sanderling, which is where I most want to take
my mom and dad when they visit the Outer Banks with us, and a quick
charge of my camera battery, we walked over to view Currituck light!

If you're looking for a vacation spot where the beaches are incredible
and the lighthouse viewing is easy, you can't beat the Outer Banks!

In addition to Currituck, Hatteras and Ocracoke there's also Bodie!

Bodie is still on our list!

But for now... With my frame of mind

restored and armed with a fresh perspective...

I'm ready to get back home!