By the end of our day in Ocracoke Village, all of us were feeling tired and hot and worn out. We had another long ferry ride ahead of us, and were eager to get back to the landing to beat the crowd, and back to our rooms to bask in the glorious air-conditioning. So we almost didn't stop by the beach while we...
I'm blogging about our afternoon at the Norview Community Center Splash Pad over at My Active Child today! So fun. We brought a bunch of kids ranging from 1 to 13, and everybody had a great time. What are your favorite spraygrounds in the area? Let us know, we're building a list. Halfway through the week! Be sure to do something nice for...
Last week, as part of National Pollinator Week, I downloaded and signed the Xerces Society's Pollinator Protection Pledge. Basically, the pledge says that our family will take steps to make our backyard safe for populations of birds, bees, bats, and other animals that pollinate our plants. Around the world, but especially in the Southern US, pollinator populations are on the decline, which has a negative effect...
While Anne and I were staying with family on Hatteras Island, we took a day trip to Ocracoke, probably the cutest and most interesting place in the whole Outer Banks. I've always been fascinated with Ocracoke, how remote it is, its laid-back, Key-West-type vibe, it's wild history as a WWII hotspot and a colonial-era pirate hangout. Our journey began in Hatteras with a...
Today is the Summer Solstice -- the first day of summer and traditionally, the longest day of the year. In ancient times, it was celebrated with bonfires, as a gesture of gratitude for the sun's warmth and a way to mark the beginning of the dying of the year. Tonight, we'll celebrate the Solstice by throwing some steaks on the grill, and lighting...
As a stay-at-home mom, I'm often asked exactly what it is that I do all day. I have a hard time answering this question a lot of the time -- there's not really a pithy way to say that you ran around like a chicken with its head cut off and then sat and sorted miniature socks for two hours. Also, as I...
After our stint on Bodie Island last week, James had to go home to work, but Anouk and I headed south to Hatteras Island to meet up with family. We stayed in Buxton -- about midway down the island, a good middle point right smack dab between Pea Island and Hatteras Village. It was only a little over an hour away from where we'd...
