Home Sweet Home

We arrived at home around 3:30pm CST. As we turned off Airport road onto Ross, Ryder said "Carson, this is the curvy road that goes to our house. We're almost home." We stepped out of the car, unlocked the front door and both Carson and Ryder did a "Happy Dance" singing "We're home, we're home, we're home".

Day 2- 1st stop

We hit the road leaving Dandridge at 8:50am CST. Made our first stop
at Lebanon after 290 miles - gas and lunch.

Another night in Dandridge

On our way back thru we are once again staying at the Holiday Inn Exp
on I-40. Hope to be home Saturday by 2-3pm.

Stop in Asheville

Stopped for gas and grub.

Free Ride II

Ryder's turn

FREE Ride

Carson & Ryder couldn't pass up the chance to step up on the horse and
take a ride (no quarters required).

Lunchtime on the road

Stopped at Texas Sreakhouse & Saloon in Rocky Mount, NC. Chicken
tenders for JA, Mac & Ch. for Ryder, burger for Carson, and blackened
chick salad for myself.

Directions to Tennessee

Just checking out the directions home on Google to ensure we do not have any questions for Anita and Clay. As you can see the starting point is from Nags Head which is further South of our current location. Starting the directions from Nags Head allowed us to go South as opposed to the suggested directions of beginning North.

Near encounter

A cute little girl in a flower-patterned swimsuit caught Ryder's eye quickly. For about 45 minutes Ryder kept watch over her every move but couldn't bring himself to say a word. I asked him why he didn't speak and he replied, "Daddy, I'm scared". I tried to encourage him to simply say "hi, I'm Ryder" but he needed his closest companion nearby. That of course is Carson. After numerous attempts trying to persuade Carson to accompany him while the little girl and her sister were at the ocean's edge Carson refused. One final attempt gained the support of his loving brother. Ryder's frustration is apparent in the video above. The final straw is when Ryder crosses his arms in disgust.

Last day at the beach

Everyone slept like the dead last night. All the sandcastle building, exercise, sun and sand did us in. This morning Carson and I walked down to the beach which is .3 miles to sea if the castle was still standing. The base was in tact but it was evident the tide had crashed and rolled over it a few times.

Once everyone was ready we made our way back to the beach for our last full day. The water was so cool it actually caused your feet to ache momentarily. Not may people braved the cooler water temps after the temp drop last night. I decided I would take a plunge and a plunge into a wave I did. It nearly took my breath. Carson was dedicated to refortifying the castle. Ryder on the other hand had his eye on a little girl that was playing at the water's edge with her older sister.

We made our way to the pool for a swim where Ryder and Carson made friends with a little boy named Beckett. They took turns playing the Pirate and the Shark. After playing a bit it was time for lunch.

Today's hi is expected to be 82 and partly cloudy with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. After lunch we plan to hit a few shops and look around.

Originally we had planned to begin our journey back to West Tennessee today at lunch but changed our plans. We decided to stay an additional 24 hours as Clay and Anita have the timeshare thru Saturday. The journey will begin Friday mid-morning with hopes of traveling halfway and arriving home Saturday afternoon.

Sandcastle/Fortress

Today, Carson, Ryder, Clay, and I worked diligently on a fortress to protect against the continuous waves during high tide. Carson said the waves were the Greeks and the Fortress was the Greeks home. We had a great time during the building process.

Wednesday at the Beach

Mid-morning Jane Anna, Ryder, and Anita hit the beach while Clay, Carson, and I relaxed and took in some tv. We joined then by 11am. We tossed frisbee, jumped the incoming waves as they crashed and played in the sand. As the tide began to rise, Carson and Ryder were building a fort but the higher tide continually bombarded any and all attempts. At 12:30 we hit the pool then to our place for lunch. Anita and Clay took a stroll South to the nearest pier (Clay's idea) and joined us at lunch. Then nearest pier is 1.5miles away (3.0 miles roundtrip).

Horseshoe Crab

During my walk/jog down the beach I encountered this Horseshoe crab.

Currituck Lighthouse

Whalehead Club
View from the Currituck Lighthouse

Currituck Lighthouse

Today around 3:00pm EST, we drove North to Corolla (10 miles) to visit the Currituck Lighthouse. It was approximately 128 feet to the observation deck with another 15 feet or so up to the very top which comprised the glass prisms. All six of us climbed to the top with no trouble. Carson and Ryder received a sticker stating "I climbed Currituck Lighthouse". The waterway behind the "Whalehead Club" is Currituck Sound. Behind Jane Anna and the boys is the Atlantic Ocean. You can also see how narrow the island is at this point. Another great place to visit.

At the Beach (the Atlantic Coast)

Tuesday's is expected to reach 89 but with the ocean breeze on the beach it that will be nice. The water was a bit cool. After a few minutes the body adjusted. Not many people on the beach as most North Carolina schools are still in session along with the current downturn in the economy. We moved from the beach to the pool for a needed break from the sand. Ryder encouraged us all to try the hot tub. Wow! was it hot! Took a bit to adjust. After just a few minutes, Carson began to have blank stare and we knew it was time for lunch and hopefully a nap.

The Lost Colony of Roanoke

The outdoor drama began at 8pm in an outdoor theatre concluded at 10pm with a 20 min. intermission at the halfway point. The weather was perfect as is was 72 degrees. The temp dipped just a few degrees just right for long pants. We took the boy's jackets and by intermission they opted for them.

It was a good balance with action/adventure. So good that Carson & Ryder hardly spoke during the entire production. Indian attacks, musket fire, swords, brief barrage of fireworks, 4 or 5 songs. They kept it moving along nicely. If you are ever in the area it is definitely worth the price of admission.

Sidenote: Andy Griffith live just down the road from the theatre. He pre-recorded the audio intro for this particular prodcution so his ever so familiar voice is heard.

Monday afternoon

After returning from Kittyhawk and Jockey's Ridge, Jane Anna, Anita, Carson & Ryder headed to the beach while Clay caught a nap and I imported nearly 200 pictures from the past day and a half. We joined them at the pool as the sand was beginning to aggravate. PizazzPizza solved the hunger issue. We are currently kicked backed resting before our 35 minute ride to Roanoke Island for the outdoor drama that begins at 8pm. Check out the link for more history:
www.thelostcolony.org/history.htm

Jockey's Ridge

Anita walking to the right while Clay, Ryder, Carson, and Jane Anna wait for the photo op.

Instead of hitting the beach today, we decided to take on Kittyhawk and Jockey's Ridge due to the cooler temps than expected. Today's hi is 77. We all faired well crossing the dunes. It's an absolutely unbelievable site if you have never been in a true sandy desert like myself. For a moment you would think you've been dropped in the middle of the Sahara.

Kittyhawk

Wright Brothers Memorial. We attended a kite flying demonstration and flew homemade kites. Carson & Ryder had a blast. The winds are consistently 15-20 miles per hour.

Gorgeous morning

Right now it's a fantastic 72 degrees. Going for a jog down the
beach. Ryder, Anita, and Clay sleepng in.

Current location

You can see our current location. Only a few miles from "Kitty Hawk"
and "Kill Devil Hills".

Walk on the beach

After eating and returning to "Ocean Pines" we unpacked and took a
walk on the beach. From our condo, it was a nice walk to the last
condo which was on the beach. The timeshare has a pool, tennis court,
swing/playset about like ours but not quiet. Also a game room and
maybe a workout room. Each condo has 4 units. I'll post a pic
tomorrow.

With a half moon, perfect weather, we walked and sometimes ran down
the beach. C & R ran into the edge of the water and even took a spill
or two. The water was pretty cool, almost a shock when first contact
was made. Crabs were out in force. That really topped off the
evening. Not the silver dollar size and smaller in the gulf, these
guys were as big as my hand. Nothing to reference in the pic.

We should sleep well tonight. Tomorrow is recovery day/beach bum
day. No "Driving"!

Steamed Jumbo Shrimp

Jane Anna, Clay, and Anita had Jumbo shrimp with a spicy seasoning
while Carson had a clam basket and Ryder a shrimp basket. This place
would be great to eat outside and watch the sunset across the Sound.

Top floor Timeshare

Top floor of C & A's timeshare. Second floor has two bedrooms and two
baths. From the deck u can see "The Cuurituck Sound". On the other
side of the resort is the Atlantic Ocean.

Sunset Grill & Raw Bar

Thank goodness they had a pier to walk the restless natives.

Eating at Fishbone's Sunset Grill on Duck Rd/Hwy 12.

Sent from Jeff's iPhone

Pier at Sunset Grill

We are now in Duck, NC. Been a long ride today. We are eating dinner
at a restaraunt on the water. I'm having one of tonight's specials:
broiled scallops, crab, garlic potatoes , and corn on the cob.

Lunch at Captain Bill's in Morehead City, across the bridge from
Atlantic Beach.

Fort Macon

Arrived at Fort Macon. Hope to post more pics tonight. It was built
in the early 1800's and reinforced over the years. Cost nearly
$500,000 to construct. Utilized during the Civil War, Spanish-
American, and WWII.

Pitstop on the way to Fort Macon. Intercoastal waterway in the
background.

Getting ready to leave Greenville,NC and the polka dot mailbox (anita
& clay's). Headed to Fort Macon on Atlantic Beach.

Pic of Alex, Ryder, & Carson

Completed the second leg of our journey. We will be staying with
Anita, Clay, & Alex tonight. Tomorrow, we will reach our ultimate
vacation destination Duck, North Carolina.

Pitstop, gas, and ice cream at the third Raleigh/Durham Exit.

Traveling thru the mountain.

Entering the tunnel.

As we take the Exit to Asheville, Ryder is consumed with a movie
playing on his new DVD player.

Loading up and beginning leg two.

The first leg of our journey ends.

The first leg of our journey ends.

Sent from Jeff's iPhone