January on OBX...

Didn't see the wild horses today...

But found a few pretties.

January at the OBX....

Lots of clouds, lots of sea foam, lots of shells.

We missed you Toby.

Oh how you loved the beach.

It doesn't get....

any better than this.  

OBX in October. 

My OBX.

A Little OBX Time...

Back to reality later today.

That's ok too.

Cape Hatteras Road Trip 2014

Had an entire day by myself to wander the Banks.

That doesn't happen very often.

I explored island by island. I wandered Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 

Bodie Island, Pea Island, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon and Cape Hatteras.  

We had a heck of a storm the night before and I was hoping there would be some good shells. 

My theory was accurate, however this time, there were no welk, nor scotch bonnets,

just clams, scallops and other small shells.

But millions of them.

Spent a good hour or so scouring through them. 

I couldn't believe how many there were.

I did find some nice sea glass.

Stopped at Bodie Lighthouse for the first time in almost a year.

Couldn't climb to the top of Bodie.  It was closed to visitors,

but the fresh paint job from last season had it looking so pretty!

Stopped by the Oregon Inlet to see what today's catch was.

Then on to Pea Island Wildlife Sanctuary.

I had the entire island to myself.

Just me, the birds, the turtles and the crabs.



Spent almost 2 hours at Pea, then on to Cape Hatteras,

where I climbed the stairs to the top of the lighthouse.

Lots of history and interesting stories

surround this lighthouse that 

guards the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

A beautiful, old, brick lighthouse.

I think I read that Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

is the tallest brick lighthouse in the country.

Picked up lost of interesting stuff

along my journey for inspiration.

I was gone about 9 hours.  

It felt like 2.

and waiting for me when I got home....

Sorry Gizmo.  Next time, ok?

A Picture Perfect Outer Banks Day...

OBX mornings...

Make me happy.

The Outer Banks....

A four hour motorcycle journey through the Outer Banks.

A perfect day with my man and the sea.

OBX Boat Trip...

 Just returned from a four day 500 mile boat trip aboard the Cat O Mine from Nags Head to Beaufort and back.   We met 16 other C-Dory boats at a beautiful marina out in the middle of nowhere for a few days of salty air, fish tales and adventure.

While the weather cooperated (no rain) the winds weren't  quite as kind.  Heading home against NE winds of 23 knots - we had to turn back to port on our way home and spend an additional night until we could plot another course, hoping the winds would die down a bit.
After the decision was made to do so - we were able to relax and actually enjoyed the extra evening away, alone.

Monday, we did attempt a different route home and while the seas were still rough  (due to 15 knot winds in the Pamlico Sound) - they weren't dangerous.  We forged our way made it home safe and sound - tired and sore.  Oh - did I mention that the area we were boating in is nick named - the "graveyard of the Atlantic?"  Just thought I'd mention that.

It is always delicious being out on the water for  days at a time - being challenged - relying upon instinct and skill.   And we so appreciate being each and every opportunity to marvel at the dolphin, the sunsets, the wind and  the smell of the sea.   But as magical as the journey always is - it is always so good to get home to the earth and the trees.

I really do have such a great life.  I need to remember that, I really do.

To be nobody but yourself....

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best night and day to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.
-E.E. Cummings
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Now THIS ......

is what I call a great day.

"Wherever you are... Be there totally." (- Eckhart Tolle)

Even though it is cloudy.
Even though it is thundering.
It is so beautiful and peaceful.
I am Here.... Totally.

Peace, quiet, and The Power of Now

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Taking a Deep Breath....

THIS has become my new favorite place to sit in the morning. Our second floor porch off our bedroom looks to the West so it's sheltered from the blazing sun in the morning. The marsh is super active with hundreds of coastal birds, rabbits and other creatures all scampering about before the heat of the day. It's quite nice to sit and watch them.

The day started out hazy and  breezy.  I was anxious to go for the  drive from Nags Head down to Cape Hatteras.  I urged Blaise and/or Brina to come with me - but were busy doing other things and neither was thrilled at the notion of exploring with me.  Sal wasn't here this past weekend - otherwise I know he would have come with me.

Wasn't sure if it was going to rain or not as I walked along the quiet, deserted beach of the Cape Hatteras Seashore.  I love having the beach all to myself.  Most of the time - the beach looks just like this - deserted and peaceful.

As the morning progressed however, the haze cleared and the sun came out,

The sky turned bright blue and the waves really picked up. The ocean became very active - as did the wind. 

  Eventually, I decided to drive a little further down the shore and came upon the Town of Rodanthe. 

You may recognize this house as the setting for the movie, "Nights in Rodanthe"  (based upon the book by Nicholas Sparks.)  I was surprised to stumble upon it afew blocks from the ocean.  Because if you remember the book or the movie - the house sat directly on the ocean.  I found out after speaking to a local that this beautiful structure could no longer take the abuse of the Atlantic Ocean and a decision was made that it either had to be torn down - or moved away from the shoreline.  It was moved a few blocks from the coast.   Bittersweet.  

I travel over this amazing bridge to cross the Oregon Inlet which is our inlet leading from the Banks to the Ocean.  The view from the top of the bridge is one in a million and it is super windy up there - which I love.

It was a pleasant journey of solitude.  I had the top on the car down, my favorite satellite radio 80's station on and the natural beauty of  Outer Banks all to myself. Quite possibly - a perfect day.