Considering our hasty preparations to pack and evacuate coupled with our desire to squeeze every last drop out of our shortened vacation and also properly recognize Aidan's birthday today, this is likely my final post from the OBX vacation that came to a close just as we were settling in.
Our plans to hit a nearby golf course and driving range were scrapped and substituted for a visit to a closer-by mini-golf and go-kart track-- which were also scrubbed on account of evac traffic. We could have driven down there easily enough, but the sight of cars heading back where we were coming from discouraged us from even trying. The boys were all very disappointed, but quickly forgot about it when we came home, suited up and hit the beach with a new, larger boogie board for Aidan (the first in a series of B-day presents coming his way). The older boys are still at the beach as of 3 pm with Karron and I'm home packing while Soren naps.
Time to get a little more packing done and find a place to eat dinner. We might move our departure time up to get a little more driving done during the daylight hours.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Ignore Irene
That's been our motto thus far. And so far, it's served us well. This morning we awoke around 7 a.m. to another sad Tito in search of comfort. He snuggled in with us for all of 15 minutes before the other two boys were haranguing us to get on with Karron's plan, which we embarked upon just a short while later.
We mounted our rental bikes (*which have been a colossal hit for all of us) and pedaled the three miles or so into Duck for brake-fast at Duck Donuts, where they make your donuts to order. Seriously. Never had such fresh or delish donuts in all my life. The five of us polished off an even dozen and were back on the bikes bound for home and ultimately the beach. Another gorgeous day here with temps in the low 80s, sun and a gentle breeze.
The massive sandcastle we erected yesterday withstood the tides overnight and any late-night beach hooligans, so the boys were content to pick up where they left off working on their masterpiece. Aidan and Jack were bona fide surfer dudes on their boogie boards and were in the water more than they were out of it. Soren stood (relatively) patiently on the sidelines splashing in the surf up to his waist and outrunning the occasional rogue wave like a total pro. He is perhaps a bit too brave for a child his age, yet he has a healthy appreciation for the power of the ocean. Never too young for that.
Karron treated us all to lunch on the beach -- PBJs all around and a leftover pork sammich for Skog. We didn't leave until around 4:30. Came home, hosed off (literally) and Jason took the boys out for another pre-dinner spin on our usual loop. The boys' dinner was hot dogs, fries and a Popsicle for dessert (this is vacation after all). Skog made a run to Duck for some last-minute supplies while Karron supervised another Jacuzzi dip. Early bedtime after a long day outside. It was idyllic.
Now the kids are in bed, the laundry is in the dryer and we are on the deck listening to the surf and debating whether or not to resume our Spotify song game. Again, wish you all were here but given Irene's impending arrival, perhaps this just wasn't the year. We're watching the forecast as closely as anybody and will make the right call when the time comes. For now, we're inclined to celebrate Aidan's birthday properly with a round of golf in the morning (he's psyched) a store-bought cake, some proper gifts, a dinner of his choice and most likely more beach and boogie-boarding. Phew! It will be one to remember.
All our love,
The Skogs
We mounted our rental bikes (*which have been a colossal hit for all of us) and pedaled the three miles or so into Duck for brake-fast at Duck Donuts, where they make your donuts to order. Seriously. Never had such fresh or delish donuts in all my life. The five of us polished off an even dozen and were back on the bikes bound for home and ultimately the beach. Another gorgeous day here with temps in the low 80s, sun and a gentle breeze.
The massive sandcastle we erected yesterday withstood the tides overnight and any late-night beach hooligans, so the boys were content to pick up where they left off working on their masterpiece. Aidan and Jack were bona fide surfer dudes on their boogie boards and were in the water more than they were out of it. Soren stood (relatively) patiently on the sidelines splashing in the surf up to his waist and outrunning the occasional rogue wave like a total pro. He is perhaps a bit too brave for a child his age, yet he has a healthy appreciation for the power of the ocean. Never too young for that.
Karron treated us all to lunch on the beach -- PBJs all around and a leftover pork sammich for Skog. We didn't leave until around 4:30. Came home, hosed off (literally) and Jason took the boys out for another pre-dinner spin on our usual loop. The boys' dinner was hot dogs, fries and a Popsicle for dessert (this is vacation after all). Skog made a run to Duck for some last-minute supplies while Karron supervised another Jacuzzi dip. Early bedtime after a long day outside. It was idyllic.
Now the kids are in bed, the laundry is in the dryer and we are on the deck listening to the surf and debating whether or not to resume our Spotify song game. Again, wish you all were here but given Irene's impending arrival, perhaps this just wasn't the year. We're watching the forecast as closely as anybody and will make the right call when the time comes. For now, we're inclined to celebrate Aidan's birthday properly with a round of golf in the morning (he's psyched) a store-bought cake, some proper gifts, a dinner of his choice and most likely more beach and boogie-boarding. Phew! It will be one to remember.
All our love,
The Skogs
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Earthquake-shmerthquake
So, as much as that might have freaked people out along the eastern seaboard and the fact that our dear Leeann was having her spinal column punctured at that precise time, the lasting effects here were nil. Aidan took himself out of the game around 2 and crashed on the lower bunk watching TV during a mandated post-lunch quiet time during which Tito also napped and Jack chilled with some iCarly and whatever other tripe Nick was serving up on cable.
I ran out to grab some proper wood-handled shovels and other crappy plastic beach utensils which we used to fashion into a truly epic mondo sandcastle. Pictures to follow in separate Facebook or other delivery mechanism, but suffice to say, it was the grandest palace at the beach. I had a vision and even enlisted the help of neighboring youngsters to get it completed before dinner. Evening eats included BBQ'd pork chops, corn on the cob, salad and cantaloupe -- to the delight of everyone. Mostly me, tho, since I downed four ears on my own given that I haven't before and won't again taste that delicacy this summer.
Went for a lovely post-dinner bike tour of Sanderling with our freshly delivered bikes which all the boys have raved about. Using them again tomorrow to grab breakfast and perhaps make our way to the Sanderling Inn pool for a change of scenery. Betting on the beach again in the afternoon. The weather is simply beyond the pale. Wishing you all were here and hoping these meager posts give you a flavor of what we're "enjoying" in spite of you not being here. Big house. And lovely house. But a slightly lonely and all-too-quiet house. If I blast "Empire State of Mind" and dance like a goof and no one's around to see it, did it even really happen. Likely not.
Love and hugs to all.
Skogs
I ran out to grab some proper wood-handled shovels and other crappy plastic beach utensils which we used to fashion into a truly epic mondo sandcastle. Pictures to follow in separate Facebook or other delivery mechanism, but suffice to say, it was the grandest palace at the beach. I had a vision and even enlisted the help of neighboring youngsters to get it completed before dinner. Evening eats included BBQ'd pork chops, corn on the cob, salad and cantaloupe -- to the delight of everyone. Mostly me, tho, since I downed four ears on my own given that I haven't before and won't again taste that delicacy this summer.
Went for a lovely post-dinner bike tour of Sanderling with our freshly delivered bikes which all the boys have raved about. Using them again tomorrow to grab breakfast and perhaps make our way to the Sanderling Inn pool for a change of scenery. Betting on the beach again in the afternoon. The weather is simply beyond the pale. Wishing you all were here and hoping these meager posts give you a flavor of what we're "enjoying" in spite of you not being here. Big house. And lovely house. But a slightly lonely and all-too-quiet house. If I blast "Empire State of Mind" and dance like a goof and no one's around to see it, did it even really happen. Likely not.
Love and hugs to all.
Skogs
What the hell was that?!
OK, so the weird gets weirder. We just had a minor -- and I do mean minor -- earthquake here. It lasted just 8-10 seconds. I didn't know what it was at first. The boys were in separate rooms watching TV for a little post-lunch quiet time. I was on the couch watching TV when it started to jiggle. I thought one of them was playing a prank or that maybe a big wind gust was shaking the house (it is on stilts after all), but about 20 minutes later, I saw a fellow Facebooker in nearby Norfolk writing he had felt it, too. So, wow. There you have it. My first earthquake. Aidan said he felt it. Jack did not. Tito was fast asleep and Karron was too busy staying fit and out for a jog and felt nothing. What's next?
Come on, Irene
Woke up this morning to see computer models predicting Hurricane Irene could make landfall in the Carolinas as soon as late Friday, early Saturday. Of course. Of course that would happen to us. But of course those models have been wrong before. Still, a hurricane would put a bit of a damper on our plans.
We have ordered the delivery of four rental bikes and a child seat to Daff's Ad today. Should get a bit of use out of those along the trails. Maybe pedal into town for ice cream or up to the Sanderling Inn for a dip in their pool. The ocean water yesterday was beyond frigid. It was breathtakingly cold. The boys braved it up to a point, but it wasn't quite hot enough to make it feel refreshing. The curious thing was, when K took the boys back down after dark, the water was bathtub warm. I can only think the prevailing winds had shifted and returned the warmer surface water back closer to shore.
I'm making breakfast of sausage, eggs and toast this morning. K is getting a needed sleep-in morning. We were up later than expected last night playing the Spotify song game on the deck under the stars. It was a perfect evening and the Hendrick's GTs were going to down nice and easy. More updates as they are available.
We have ordered the delivery of four rental bikes and a child seat to Daff's Ad today. Should get a bit of use out of those along the trails. Maybe pedal into town for ice cream or up to the Sanderling Inn for a dip in their pool. The ocean water yesterday was beyond frigid. It was breathtakingly cold. The boys braved it up to a point, but it wasn't quite hot enough to make it feel refreshing. The curious thing was, when K took the boys back down after dark, the water was bathtub warm. I can only think the prevailing winds had shifted and returned the warmer surface water back closer to shore.
I'm making breakfast of sausage, eggs and toast this morning. K is getting a needed sleep-in morning. We were up later than expected last night playing the Spotify song game on the deck under the stars. It was a perfect evening and the Hendrick's GTs were going to down nice and easy. More updates as they are available.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Inaugural Post
Well, let's begin with gin. We finally got it. And things are looking up as a result. We won't soon forget that NC's ABC stores are closed Sundees. So, given that we have proper supplies, the general mood among adults at Daff's Ad is markedly better -- especially given that it's our 13th anniversary.
Our day began around 7 a.m. with a Screaming Tito, but steadily improved with the addition of homemade pancakes and a dash to the beach by 10. The boys scurried about in the sand and surf wielding boogie boards and cheap plastic shovels like bonafide locals. By noon they had mastered the various "beach arts," including hole digging, wet sand slinging, sand castle building, jellyfish dissecting and Frisbee tossing. Lunch was PBJ sandwiches, Sun Chips (natch), fresh fruit and a cookie. At least one adult (hard telling) cracked a beer to wash down a leftover burger from the night before.
Afternoon was met with K's departure for Greater Duck shopping areas for basic supplies, sundries and a smattering of essentials that included but are not limited to: a boogie board, toothbrushes, fresh corn, sunglasses, popsicles, mussels, Fritos Scoops, condoms, hand soap, a swimsuit and Chips Ahoys. She was gone two hours and had to hit five different stores. The gin could not be cold enough or poured quickly enough upon her return.
Dinner included the aforementioned mussels, chicken drummies (for the boys), salad, garlic bread and yet more gin. Tito was completely fooled by the bogus bedtime ruse perpetrated by the elder boys so Karron could lead them on a nighttime visit to the beach complete with LED flashlights for each boy. They are -- as far as I can tell -- having a blast.
Further bulletins as events warrant. Wish you all were here. Don't have proper cables to upload pics to this computer and post, but endeavor to find a workaround soonest so this isn't just a sad string of gray text.
Wish you were here. As the title suggest, this place just ain't the same without you all.
Our day began around 7 a.m. with a Screaming Tito, but steadily improved with the addition of homemade pancakes and a dash to the beach by 10. The boys scurried about in the sand and surf wielding boogie boards and cheap plastic shovels like bonafide locals. By noon they had mastered the various "beach arts," including hole digging, wet sand slinging, sand castle building, jellyfish dissecting and Frisbee tossing. Lunch was PBJ sandwiches, Sun Chips (natch), fresh fruit and a cookie. At least one adult (hard telling) cracked a beer to wash down a leftover burger from the night before.
Afternoon was met with K's departure for Greater Duck shopping areas for basic supplies, sundries and a smattering of essentials that included but are not limited to: a boogie board, toothbrushes, fresh corn, sunglasses, popsicles, mussels, Fritos Scoops, condoms, hand soap, a swimsuit and Chips Ahoys. She was gone two hours and had to hit five different stores. The gin could not be cold enough or poured quickly enough upon her return.
Dinner included the aforementioned mussels, chicken drummies (for the boys), salad, garlic bread and yet more gin. Tito was completely fooled by the bogus bedtime ruse perpetrated by the elder boys so Karron could lead them on a nighttime visit to the beach complete with LED flashlights for each boy. They are -- as far as I can tell -- having a blast.
Further bulletins as events warrant. Wish you all were here. Don't have proper cables to upload pics to this computer and post, but endeavor to find a workaround soonest so this isn't just a sad string of gray text.
Wish you were here. As the title suggest, this place just ain't the same without you all.
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