Putting things off....

Why is it that the things that mean so much take so long to blog about? I have delayed this post for much too long, I think because I want to do this summer justice. It has been epic. One that will be VERY difficult to outdo. So I have put this off for much too long. I must give our summer justice.

Round 2 of "funemployedness" has begun, which means we have spent our time doing things that we love and avoiding things that we don't love. First of which includes spending much needed time with our family and friends...

Our first summer venture began before summer did. We went to visit Laura and Marty in North Carolina while I still had a week of school left. Best idea ever! We loved our time there. It was beautiful! 

We hopped in the car and headed from Winston-Salem to the Outer Banks. Oh my word, it is my new favorite destination. I am trying to convince all members of my family to visit so we can go back. We stayed in Nags Head. The scenery, the people, the beaches, the activities, the temperature...it was all ideal.

We spent much time lounging on the beach, but we also did a little exploring through Nags Head Forest. We were walking through a swamp-like forest, perfect setting for a book, observing the awes of nature and BAM we were at the ocean. It was a great hike and the ocean never ceases to amaze. 

Not only are there beaches and beauty, the Outer Banks provides a TON of sights to see. We spent one afternoon at the Jockey Ridge Sand Dunes. We had no idea we would spend so much time jumping off the side of a dune, but we were entertained by sand for hours. 

Another must do is the Wright Brother's Memorial. Kill Devil Hills (also in the Outer Banks) was the birthplace of aviation. This is where the Wright Brothers took their first flight. The memorial was beautiful, and for a teacher I was eatin' up the history of these men. It was very interesting and a great reason to travel eastward. 

Not only were the activities marvelous, but we ate the best seafood while visiting the coast. One night was spent at the Black Pelican. It was tasty! But some of our best food was cooked on our own porch with Marty's new portable grill. I LOVED the food and realized how delicious fresh seafood is. Perks of coastal living are definitely racking up. 

We spent four days in the Outer Banks, and it was not nearly enough time. I would return in a heartbeat and encourage any interested to make this their next travel destination. It is a MUST do. 

After leaving the beach, we drove back to Winston- Salem to see the sights of Laura and Marty's home for the past 2 years. Trees! So many trees! The freeways were almost claustrophobic. 

We visited Marty's school.  Wake Forest University has a beautiful campus. I loved the feel of the grounds and the building are meant to look like they all go together. Someone had the grand scheme in mind, and they did well in the construction and landscape of this university.

It's always fun to see where family is living, I love knowing how they get to the store, church, school. I love seeing their neighbors and what their houses look like. This was no exception. The trip was wonderful and memorable and a monumental way to begin the summer.

The travel logs will just continue from here....