Sun, fun, food and growth…

The above pic is one I took of the sunrise.  I have others that were taken the same day further down.  This was not retouched – just taken with my camera phone.

It doesn’t seem quite possible that as if today, Sunday May 3rd, we have more days behind us rather than in front of us here in NC’s Outer Banks.  The weather has been warming up slowly but surely and we have been taking advantage of it!

We have been enjoying more sun, fun and food!  And – Sue & Guy are FINALLY here!  They are part of the group we met last year at the RV Dreams rally.  They have a 45′ Class A motorhome like Cori & Greg.   They are parked right across the street from us.  That makes 5 rigs total, and Eileen & Gene will be joining us on the 10th.  Diane & Glyn (our RV Driving instructors) are coming some time soon also.  We have been nicknamed “The Corleone Compound” by some here at Ocean Waves.  It is a fairly small CG with only 68 FHU sites and a few tent sites and we are taking up 5 right now, soon to be 7.

Before I get into the sun, fun and food, I want to tell you about the project Bill completed since I last updated you all.  We didn’t understand the small backsplash area that came with the rig.  The stove is right next to the wood cabinet and everytime we cooked anything, especially bacon or anything else that splatters, it would get all over the wood, plus the “tile” that they did have on the back was not easy to clean.  So, after we decided to redo it, and back when we were in Arcadia, we finally found something we liked that wasn’t too expensive or heavy (I have mentioned before that weight is always a consideration when adding anything to the rig).

before
before – see that I mean?  The wood cabinet is RIGHT htere

First he had to take down what was already there

it was thankfully one piece that had been glued to the wall - he said this was the worst part - getting the sticky stuff off
it was thankfully one piece that had been glued to the wall – he said this was the worst part – getting the sticky stuff off   He ended up using a blow-dryer to soften it so he could scrape it off easier.

We had gotten this stuff called “Simple Mat” (sorry didn’t get a pic of the box) at Home Depot.  It is a 2 sided tape that you apply to the wall and the tile sticks to the other side.

here is the "Simple Mat" before putting tile on
here is the “Simple Mat” before putting tile on

He said the tile went up pretty easily

one part done!
one part done!
all tile is up and ready for grout!
all tile is up and ready for grout!
after he covered the countertop to protect it, he started the grout
after he covered the countertop to protect it, he started the grout
giving the grout a little time to set up
giving the grout a little time to set up
all done!  Isn't it beautiful!?  What is hard to see from the pic is there is a bit of purple in it!  You all know how I LOVE purple, and I love how it ties in with the purple in my area rug and pillow!
all done! Isn’t it beautiful!? What is hard to see from the pic is there is a bit of purple in it! You all know how I LOVE purple, and I love how it ties in with the purple in my area rug and pillow!

My wonderful man did a great job and we are both very pleased with the result!  Total time invested is about 5 hours (including an hour getting the old thing off) and about $100 – not too bad!

Now – onto the sun, fun and food!

Our whole group (before Sue & Guy arrived) decided to go visit the Roanoke Island Festival Park.  It is an attraction in Manteo that tells the history of the area.  We learned that is really geared for kids, but we did learn a lot and had some goofy fun before getting some lunch.

anchors
anchors
how they planted their crops
how they – the Native Americans in this area – planted their crops
making canoes by burning part of the log and then using shells to scrape out the middle
making canoes by burning part of the log and then using shells to scrape out the middle
Greg has a "thing" about licking things - don't ask
Greg has a “thing” about licking things – don’t ask
a demonstration of how they made the fancy furniture for the officers homes
a demonstration of how they made the fancy furniture for the officers homes
Greg trying on the military protective gear
Greg trying on the military protective gear
Bill is ready to defend the fort!
Bill is ready to defend the fort!
while the helmet fit Bill's big head pretty well, it was HUGE on Tracy!
while the helmet fit Bill’s big head pretty well, it was HUGE on Tracy!

 

she did fit perfectly into the stockade though!
she did fit perfectly into the stockade though!
cooking utensils
cooking utensils
Lee showing us how they used a mortar and pestle
Lee showing us how they used a mortar and pestle
told you!
told you!
recreation of the ship that the English arrived on
recreation of the ship that the English arrived on
Cori & Greg being silly
Cori & Greg being silly
Tracy trying on samples of old English fashion
Tracy trying on samples of old English fashion
Tracy helping Greg into his outfit
Tracy helping Greg into his outfit
Greg didn't want to miss out!
Greg – we think he missed his calling as a fashion model!
Cori's turn to pose!
Cori’s turn to pose!
Lunch spot - Full Moon Cafe and Brewery
Lunch spot – Full Moon Cafe and Brewery
waiting for food - we were all starving!
waiting for food – we were all starving!

 

their claim to fame is they are the tiniest brewery
their claim to fame is they are the tiniest brewery
very cool place - and very good food!
very cool place – and very good food!
afterwards, Bill and I got some alone time walking on Jeanettes Pier
afterwards, Bill and I got some alone time walking on Jeanettes Pier

We had such a great time the first time we had a fire – we decided to try it again!

getting ready
getting ready
Tracy getting dancey
Tracy getting dancey
Greg is feeling relaxed
Greg is feeling relaxed
after the fire - YUMMY cinnamon rolls courtesy of Jo!  I love the anticipation on Lee's face!
after the fire – YUMMY cinnamon rolls courtesy of Jo! I love the anticipation on Lee’s face!

I was up before the sun one morning this week – I was the only one out there and it was one of the most amazing sunrises I have ever seen!

view from our site
view from our site
I have done nothing to this pic - it was just this beautiful!
I have done nothing to this pic – it was just this beautiful!
wow
wow
more - just wow!
more – just wow!

Another day Bill, Craig and I went to check out the Graveyard of the Atlantic museum.  Unfortunately you are not allowed to take pics, so I only got a couple, taken where we were allowed.  It was very interesting and FREE!

Bill with an anchor
Bill with an anchor
outside of the building - which is sort of shaped like a ship
outside of the building – which is sort of shaped like a ship
this isn't the museum, but on the way back home, there must have been over a hundred kite-boarders
this isn’t the museum, but on the way back home, there must have been over a hundred kite-boarders

Saturday was a very busy day – it all started with breakfast

this wasn't dinner, but I made everyone sausage gravy for breakfast, and Cori supplied the biscuits I made everyone sausage gravy for breakfast, and Cori supplied the biscuits

Bill and Greg cooked some eggs to go with the biscuits and gravy, and Sue brought a delish fruit salad
Bill and Greg cooked some eggs to go with the biscuits and gravy, and Sue brought a delish fruit salad
Craig and Guy supervising
Craig and Guy supervising

Then came the most exciting thing since we’ve arrived.  Tracy, Lee and I had signed up for First Flight Adventure Park.  It is a high ropes obstacle course.  I was scared (almost) to death, but decided I wanted to overcome the fear.  Tracy and Lee were both amazing and encouraging to me.  Bill came along and stayed in the observation area, he yelled up encouragement and I was so glad he was there!  He knows his being there keeps it real for me – even though he wasn’t within arms reach, I couldn’t have done it without him being there!  Plus, he got to take all these great pics!  I am going to let the pics tell the story in the captions.

getting suited up
getting suited up
trying to figure out all the straps - they were very good at making sure we were secure
trying to figure out all the straps – they were very good at making sure we were secure
thumbs up - ready to go!
thumbs up – ready to go!
no looking back now!
no looking back now!
doesn't look too scary from here
doesn’t look too scary from here – ok yea it does!  There are 3 levels and each level has 2 challenges, which are weather themed, hurricanes specifically.  Tropical Storm followed by Hurricanes category 1 through 5.  Each one is higher and more difficult.  Each level has 3 or 4 obstacles.  One person per obstacle at a time, max of 2 people per landing at a time in between the obstacles.
ok - getting real now - this is where hubby gave me my kiss and wished me good luck
ok – getting real now – this is where hubby gave me my kiss and wished me good luck
going out on one of the first obstacles
Me – going out on one of the first obstacles
I did NOT like this one at all!  It was 2 poles, about the size of phone poles and you had to walk across.  I think this was my least favorite one and it was only at the Tropical Storm level.
I did NOT like this one at all! It was 2 poles, about the size of phone poles and you had to walk across. I think this was my least favorite one and it was only at the Tropical Storm level.

 

Lee - this one was fairly easy
Lee – this one was fairly easy
this is me - doing good so far!
this is me – doing good so far!
after each challenge level, there was a zip line back to the center.  That actually freaked me out a bit at first, I have never zip lined, but it turned out to be my favorite part!
This is me – after each challenge level, there was a zip line back to the center. That actually freaked me out a bit at first, I have never zip lined, but it turned out to be my favorite part!
This is Bill's fav pic
This is Bill’s fav pic
this one was a single (somewhat larger) phone pole, which was easier than the double one
This is me – this one was a single (somewhat larger) phone pole, which was easier than the double one, even considering the octopus in the middle
this one was walking on a cable, probably about an inch (maybe more - I have no idea) in diameter and you had to grab the "jelly fish" tendrils to steady yourself
This is me – this one was walking on a cable, probably about an inch (maybe more – I have no idea) in diameter and you had to grab the “jelly fish” tendrils to steady yourself
This is Lee - doing the double pole one - he did much better than me
This is Lee – doing the double pole one – he did much better than me
Me - doing the easy one
Me – doing the easy one
This is me - this was a wood walkway - sort of like a boardwalk, but it MOVES
This is me – this was a wood walkway – sort of like a boardwalk, but it MOVES.  Tracy is waiting for me
zip!
zip!
Tracy tackling the "fish" walls
Tracy tackling the “fish” walls
Lee finishing the jelly fish obstacle
Lee finishing the jelly fish obstacle
Tracy - she was quick
Tracy – she was quick
Me - hugging the pole!
Me – hugging the pole!
Lee - moving right along
Lee – moving right along
this is Tracy - the obstacle was like a broken boardwalk - boards were far apart and you had to grab the ropes to steady yourself
this is Tracy – the obstacle was like a broken boardwalk – boards were far apart and you had to grab the ropes to steady yourself
Me on the broken boardwalk
Me on the broken boardwalk
Lee - it isn't as bad as it looks!
Lee – it isn’t as bad as it looks!
Tracy - she crawled through it.  Don't have a good pic of it but I scooted on my butt
Tracy – she crawled through it. Don’t have a good pic of it but I scooted on my butt
Tracy got across by standing on the kayak
Tracy got across by standing on the kayak
Me - saw how unsteady Tracy looked and decided to pull myself across on my knees
Me – saw how unsteady Tracy looked and decided to pull myself across on my knees
Tracy on the "spider web"
Tracy on the “spider web”
me going across the spider web
me going across the spider web
me - walking the wire
me – walking the wire
This is me - the poles MOVE as you walk across them
This is me – the poles MOVE as you walk across them
Tracy - this one wouldn't have been so bad except the little dots you have to walk on twist and also are at different heights
Tracy – this one wouldn’t have been so bad except the little dots you have to walk on twist and also are at different heights
This is Tracy - Lee and I had already cried "Uncle" and she went on to Category 5 on the highest level by herself - she is WAY braver than me!  She totally owned the commando crawl!
This is Tracy – Lee and I had already cried “Uncle” and she went on to Category 5 on the highest level by herself – she is WAY braver than me! She totally owned the commando crawl!
She got across but it took a lot out of her!
She got across but it took a lot out of her!
Lee and I encouraging her from the safely of the center
Lee and I encouraging her from the safely of the center
She did not like this one AT ALL!
She did not like this one AT ALL!
She wasn't a fan of this one either!
She wasn’t a fan of this one either!  It doesn’t look like it should be that hard, but what can’t be seen is, those blue boat fenders spin, so when you try to step, they spin out from under your feet.  She decided going across on her butt was the better choice.  Can’t blame her a bit!  She did it!
relief!
relief!  There was only one more after this, but she decided to zip line across it, she was DONE!

This whole experience is not something I would have ever done.  For some reason, I decided that I want to try and stop being afraid of things.  My son, when he worked at Boy Scout camp, was the Assistant Director of their high ropes course, which wasn’t as elaborate as this, but still up in trees and challenging.  He offered to help me do it – years ago, and I was like “No thanks”.  I decided life is too short to be afraid of everything, especially things that really can’t hurt you.  We were totally safe and secure.  The worst one for me was the double pole one, no idea why, but that one made my legs shake.  Bill said he watched me do that one and thought I was done.  I completed 4 out of 6 levels, and I must say I am quite proud of myself.   I never thought I would do ziplining, but it was great and I will totally do that when the chance comes along.  This is part of the new me – thinner (although the scale is difficult to control with all this delish food around all the time!) – and braver, living my life more to the fullest.  I want to throw out a special shout-out to Tracy and Lee for their friendship and encouragement, and to hubby for being there and helping me feel secure enough to try this new thing.  Love you guys!

When we got home from this HUGE adventure, the physical soreness already starting to set it, we needed to get ready for our appetizer dinner Derby Party.

 

sausage stuffed mushrooms that I made, they were so good!
sausage stuffed mushrooms that I made, they were so good!
Sue's famous bean dip - Lee's fav
Sue’s famous bean dip – Lee’s fav
you think anyone liked Craigs jalapeno poppers?
you think anyone liked Craigs jalapeno poppers?
Cori & Greg are the king and queen of sliders
Cori & Greg are the king and queen of sliders
Tracy's deviled eggs were a hit!
Tracy’s deviled eggs were a hit!
Craig is feeling no pain
Craig is feeling no pain
we also played C R L, which is a dice game.  It is very easy, which is good, b/c we like to talk and getting distracted from the game is common
we also played C R L, which is a dice game. It is very easy, which is good, b/c we like to talk and getting distracted from the game is common
here is an example of the distractions that happen
here is an example of the distractions that happen

The last day I am going to talk about today is the day we ALL went to Ocracoke Island.  We were up and out early, 7:45am to be exact, and made our way to the ferry.  We got on the 9am ferry with no problems and arrived about an hour later.

Tracy & Lee
Tracy & Lee
Jo & Craig
Jo & Craig
Cori & Greg
Cori & Greg
Sue & Guy
Sue & Guy
Bill & I
Bill & I
our first stop - the Ocracoke Island ponies
our first stop – the Ocracoke Island ponies
Cori - she is getting the perfect pic of the bunny
Cori – she is getting the perfect pic of the bunny
not sure if I like this one or the black and white better
not sure if I like this one or the black and white better
we also checked out the beach
we also checked out the beach – Bill took this great black and white
our first stop was for lunch at sMacNally's - right on the water
our first stop was for lunch at sMacNally’s – right on the water
these ducks thought they were going to get lucky - but we didn't give into their cuteness and feed them
these ducks thought they were going to get lucky – but we didn’t give into their cuteness and feed them
I just love the name of this place
I just love the name of this place
beautiful waterfront
beautiful waterfront and view of the lighthouse

image

 

sadly, you cannot climb this lighthouse
sadly, you cannot climb this lighthouse

We made our way to Zillies, where we have visited before, for a cold one and snacks

image

image

So, this is the latest from OBX – we are looking forward to welcoming the rest of our fellow RVers!

I will leave you with this one last pic of the full moon over the beach
I will leave you with this one last pic of the full moon over the beach

Signing off for now… but one last thing – thanks again to all my followers and others who are reading along and following our American Odyssey!

 

10 thoughts on “Sun, fun, food and growth…

  1. Your phone takes nice photos, Kelly! We use ours for a good portion of our photos also.

    Looks like you guys are having a great time!

    Jim

  2. Thanks Jim! The pics aren’t bad – but last night we watched the full moon rise over the ocean (little spoiler from the next post!) and the fancier cameras kicked my cameras butt!
    We are having a great time! It’s going to be weird when we go our separate ways!

  3. Love the backsplash……great job!!! I am so proud of you for facing your fears….more than I was able to do all these years. This adventure is such a gift for you and Bill!!!!

    1. Thanks Mom! Who would have thought? A year ago I would have said “NEVER!”
      The backsplash did come out great – that hubby of mine does good work!

  4. Congratulations on doing the course! Some of the most memorable times is when you step outside your comfort zone and stretch your limits,
    Love the sunrise picture!

    1. Thanks Jim! I am quite proud of myself!
      As for the pics – I just snap away – it’s not so hard to get a good one when the subject is so amazing!

  5. I too like the back splash….it looks great! Looking forward to seeing everyone in Marion. (Still hate that we missed all of this fun). Hugs!

  6. LOVED this blog post…and it’s nice to be in the pictures for a change. You were so so badass on the obstacles course and I am so glad we got to do that together. Great story telling my friend. Can’t wait to see what happens next !!

    1. Thanks Tracy! Couldn’t have done it without you and Lee!
      There is a lot more fun to be had – lets get on it!

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