For Christmas this year, The Family decided to gather together at the Outer Banks, NC for some festive relaxation. Dj and I woke up at 3:30 am to try to make it by 1pm. The weather channel was warning of snow, but the most we heard was 4 inches. We packed the Big Green with the weeks food supply and headed on our way. And the snow fell. We slowly traveled, trying to stay behind snow plows, and the snow fell in complete white out at times. After 3 hours and only making it to Cumberland (not even an hour on a good day), we decided to pull over (ok--mostly I was scared out of my mind). We checked into a hotel, watched bad movies all day, and watched the snow fall. The next day travel went smoothly, for the most part, and we made it to our beach paradise. Here is a view out of our hotel window at 7am. It snowed another foot after this. Part of the adventure!
The 30 minute drive from Nag's Head to Corolla was the longest part of the trip. The house did not disappoint. Here is the first view as we pulled in.
Here is a picture of the great room. Amazing ocean views, a gas fireplace, decks all around. 
The kitchen area.
This is a view of the house at night. A huge place! Notice every single light on. It was well lived in for the week.
Dj and I took a day trip to Corolla. We saw some sights, at some good southern BBQ, and enjoyed the sunshine. The weather was perfect all week, sunny and not too cold--just a little rain on the day everyone left. Corolla is home to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Unfortunately, it was closed for the season. It was built in 1875 and is still being used.
Across from the lighthouse was a nature trail. It was posted with signs, so we were able to learn about the sound's native habitat. Somewhere out there is the mainland.
Corolla is also home to the Whalehead Club, built in the 1930's for fowl hunting. For the very, very wealthy. Now it is a nice park, and the house is being restored to its former glory.
Admiring our private beach view from our private pier. I think I saw one other person on the beach the entire week. Nice to have it all to ourselves.
We bought a tree while there and decorated it the good old fashioned way: popcorn and cranberry garland and collected seashells. It was adorable.
A full view of the tree. Dj and I found a washed up buoy on the beach to top it off.
Shipwreck!
Dj and I enjoying a very memorable Christmas Eve lunch with the traditional steamed shrimp. Front row seats to the waves!
Decorating a gingerbread house with the kids.
Lots of guitar hero played during the week! Dj and Josh rocking out.
Also lots of puzzles put together. I think we finished two. This one did not get finished. The house had a perfect, sunny nook for reading and puzzles. I think it might have been empty a total of ten minutes the entire week.
We took daily, sometimes more, walks on the beach. Dj and I got lucky one night and found two star fish (one was alive) and a ton of hermit crabs. We attempted to take Maiya out the next day, but had not luck.
Because the Play Station wasn't enough, there was the Wii. Dj and old man getting a work out.
It was an incredible trip. We did a lot of R&R-- great company, great food, great surroundings. Lets do it again!
5 comments:
Great pics. I especially love your tree and the shipwreck. Amazing. Did you keep your starfish?
We didn't keep the star fish because I did not know 100% if it was dead or alive. So back to the ocean it went. Very tempted to keep a hermit crab, but Dj said no way!
We saw tons of hermit crabs when we went too. So much fun.
What a cool way to spend the holidays! I love that you bought a tree while you were there.
Great pics! I would have been scared to travel in that blizzard, too. I was still nervous the next day, especially going through DC. I want to go back and visit the light house. Ah...the memories. We definitely want to do this again.
Post a Comment