First an apology to my ornithologist friends out there who might be (but probably aren't) reading this blog. Anywhere you've seen the word "heron", please substitute the word "egret". I have admitted my inadequacies in photography, history, and measuring distances. Now I admit that I know nothing about birds and bird watching. I thought an egret was a heron. The problem with a blog is that eventually a person's ignorance is bound to come out with a blunder somewhere. Anyway, the beautiful white birds with long, graceful necks that look like a cross between a swan and a flamingo are egrets and are prevalent in the marsh grasses behind our house. I'll include a photo of them soon!
Last month, I visited the island again; this time with my college roommate and dear friend for many years, a reconnection that was years overdue. That's one of the beautiful things about the empty nest. You can travel in September! We spent our days drinking coffee and Moscow Mules (a great concoction from college days that I had completely forgotten!!!), sitting on the dock and reminiscing, catching up on kids and family, kayaking around the sound and through the marsh, discussing Jesus Christ and other spiritual matters and the meaning of life and what lies ahead for the both of us.
This is how clear the water looked on the ferry trip over to Ocracoke. I had never seen it like this before. It looked like the Caribbean Sea that day. Perhaps it was just the way the light hit the water that particular day, or maybe the excitement of spending a week with a best friend, but there was something magical about the clarity and color of the sound that took my breath away as we left civilization and headed to our beautiful Ocracoke Island.
My favorite part of the trip was that we would wait until about 4 or 5 in the afternoon to hit the beach. That's my favorite time of day on the beach and it's a gorgeous time of day on the beach. The sun's not hot, the crowds are gone, the water is warm in September.....it's just..... perfection. We packed our snack supper of cheese, grapes, and shrimp salad from the island deli, a bottle of wine, a couple of beach chairs and sat out until the sun set. We were sometimes the last people on the beach. The sunsets were spectacular that week. What a blessing to be able to spend unlimited evening time there and enjoy it until dark. That was a first for me. Usually with kids and family, we spend the hottest part of the day on the beach, slathered in lotion, hot and sweaty, and have to come in to get ready for dinner right when the afternoon sun and surf are at their best! This time, there was no worry about meals, restaurants, make up or hair. We just completely absorbed ourselves in the beauty of the ocean.
.jpeg)
First afternoon on the beach. It looks like a painting. The sky was just beginning its transformation to pale pinks and lavenders in preparation for sunset.
God put on a show for us. This is a spectacular sunset. I wonder if all the September sunsets are like this on Ocracoke?
A new tradition has begun; trips to Ocracoke in September from now on!
In October, a trip is planned with parents.The older generation wants to see our project! My husband's parents and my mother are going with us just for a few short days so that they can enjoy what we've done on the Island. I can't wait for them to see it. I'm praying for good weather and I'm sure I'll have an update after that adventure!
Last month, I visited the island again; this time with my college roommate and dear friend for many years, a reconnection that was years overdue. That's one of the beautiful things about the empty nest. You can travel in September! We spent our days drinking coffee and Moscow Mules (a great concoction from college days that I had completely forgotten!!!), sitting on the dock and reminiscing, catching up on kids and family, kayaking around the sound and through the marsh, discussing Jesus Christ and other spiritual matters and the meaning of life and what lies ahead for the both of us.
This is how clear the water looked on the ferry trip over to Ocracoke. I had never seen it like this before. It looked like the Caribbean Sea that day. Perhaps it was just the way the light hit the water that particular day, or maybe the excitement of spending a week with a best friend, but there was something magical about the clarity and color of the sound that took my breath away as we left civilization and headed to our beautiful Ocracoke Island.
My favorite part of the trip was that we would wait until about 4 or 5 in the afternoon to hit the beach. That's my favorite time of day on the beach and it's a gorgeous time of day on the beach. The sun's not hot, the crowds are gone, the water is warm in September.....it's just..... perfection. We packed our snack supper of cheese, grapes, and shrimp salad from the island deli, a bottle of wine, a couple of beach chairs and sat out until the sun set. We were sometimes the last people on the beach. The sunsets were spectacular that week. What a blessing to be able to spend unlimited evening time there and enjoy it until dark. That was a first for me. Usually with kids and family, we spend the hottest part of the day on the beach, slathered in lotion, hot and sweaty, and have to come in to get ready for dinner right when the afternoon sun and surf are at their best! This time, there was no worry about meals, restaurants, make up or hair. We just completely absorbed ourselves in the beauty of the ocean.
.jpeg)
First afternoon on the beach. It looks like a painting. The sky was just beginning its transformation to pale pinks and lavenders in preparation for sunset.
God put on a show for us. This is a spectacular sunset. I wonder if all the September sunsets are like this on Ocracoke?
A new tradition has begun; trips to Ocracoke in September from now on!
In October, a trip is planned with parents.The older generation wants to see our project! My husband's parents and my mother are going with us just for a few short days so that they can enjoy what we've done on the Island. I can't wait for them to see it. I'm praying for good weather and I'm sure I'll have an update after that adventure!
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