OBX ~ NC ~ 2

So that you can get an idea of the lay of the land, this is a view from

the third-story deck.  Pathways from houses up and down the strand

wended their way across the dune to the oceanfront.

my dh ~ trudging up the sandy path to enjoy time at the shore.

The area was strewn with these flowers ~ the second shot was taken by our dil.

our little grandson ~ chasing the gulls.

~ footprints of grandchildren ~

~ the view from the fourth-story loft ~

White-capped waves could be seen from here ~ our oldest grandson

slept in this area on the futon ~ he had the best view of all.

~ our grandchildren spent hours and hours in the pool ~

On the first full day there, our three sons and two oldest grandchildren

chartered this boat to take them fishing ~ (photo by our middle son).

This was their catch ~ over 30 Spanish mackerel and one blue.

While they were fishing, dh and I went to a wildlife refuge,

but only saw lots of turtles  ~ a little late in the season for many birds.

We did find this osprey nest outside a restaurant on the sound.

I was entranced and we spent quite a bit of time there.

~ bringing in another stick for the nest ~

We will return to this nest at a later date ~ we ate there on the way home.

There was also a family of Canada geese  on the premises.

This group of birdhouses was home to several swallows.

On the way back to the house,

we stopped at the Bodie Island lighthouse.

A white ibis  was feeding in the far field.

We walked to the marsh area and saw a tri-colored heron  in the distance.

He refused to come close enough for my camera ~

The morning was gorgeous and we really enjoyed seeing a bit more of the island.

We were soon anxious to get back to the seaside, though,

to rest and spend more time enjoying the crashing waves.

“. . . in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea,

and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: . . .”

Exodus 20:11
TGBTG

OBX ~ NC ~ 1

Driving toward the Outer Banks, we first crossed Roanoke Island.

We made a brief stop at the Elizabethan Gardens . . .

. . . because I wanted to get some photographs of the blue hydrangeas. 

The attendant graciously allowed us to enter the garden for free

to get these photographs ~ we could only be there about 15 minutes.

Someday, I would like to spend much more time there ~ it is a beautiful place.

Along the path to the hydrangeas, this statue graced the garden.

There were white oak-leaf hydrangeas  nearby . . .

. . . and pink hydrangeas  too.

But I was most enamored by the blue ones.

~ egret statue near the front entrance ~

We then crossed onto Hatteras Island, journeying toward the little town

of Salvo, where the house we were renting was located.

We stopped at the Salvo Day Use Area on Pamlico Sound

to see an old cemetery nearly hidden in the sand and sea vegetation,

surrounded by a weathered picket fence with a creaky old gate.

I wondered about the fate of these two little girls dying on the same day;

was it an epidemic?  an accident? 

Many of the stones had the last name of Midgett on them.

Do any of you know the story here?

Our family soon all arrived at the house and after unpacking,

we trudged over the sandy dune to the beach.  

For some of our grandchildren, it was their first glimpse of an ocean . . .

. . . and baby J's first experience with the ocean sand.

It was such a joy to watch their excitement and enjoyment of the waves.

A brisk, ocean wind blew that evening ~ but there was promise of warm,

balmy days for the week ahead.  Our 2-year-old grandson joined his grandpa

in feeding the gulls  ~ he was so delighted by it all.

We soon headed back to the house for the night, so excited to know

that we had a whole week to enjoy and explore God’s creation in this place.

I simply never tire of the ocean ~ and I look forward to someday dwelling

in a heavenly place that the Bible says has a sea of crystal.

“And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal”

Revelation 4:6

TGBTG

ON THE WAY,

FINALLY!

For over two years, our whole family had been talking about,

dreaming of, then finally planning a family vacation to the

Outer Banks of North Carolina.

At the beginning of June, the day of departure came at last!

We and our children all drove separate vehicles that were packed to the gills

with all the paraphernalia we thought it might take for 15 people to survive

for a week at the ocean.  Since dh was still recovering from his surgery,

he and I left a bit early, so we wouldn’t have such big driving days;

we moseyed through the mountains, wending our way

through the countryside for awhile, instead of staying on the interstate.

The rhododendrons  and lilies  at one of our motels

delayed our departure one morning.

The river was lined with cypress trees . . .

. . . and dotted with lily pads.

This dragonfly posed so patiently for me.

In a marsh near the path, a muskrat was finishing his supper.

It was after hours and we couldn’t go in, but in doing a little research,

I’ve learned that this sleepy little town was once a bustling port

for schooners, steamboats and barges traveling the river;

and the lighthouse gave them important protection during that time period.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”

Psalm 27:1

We’ll head on toward the coast next time ~

TGBTG

FROM  OUR  YARD
RECENTLY

Don't have much time for posting right now ~ so just some pics of
our flowers and stuff ~ I hope to have more time in a week or so.
And for those of you who have asked, dh is doing wonderfully.
Thank you so much for your prayers.


 

  
~ peonies ~

 
~ foxglove ~

 
~ blue columbine ~

 

 

 
~ baby squirrel ~


   

 
~ white clematis ~

 
~ blue delphinium ~


 
~ impatiens ~

     
~ baptisia ~

 
~ yellow columbine ~


 

"Thou art worthy, O Lord,
to receive glory and honor and power:
for Thou hast created all things,
and for Thy pleasure they are and were created."
Revelation 4:11
TGBTG

birthdays, etc.

part three

The last birthday we celebrated this spring was for a 5-year-old

granddaughter ~ she is beginning school this fall

and her mother used a kindergarten theme for her party.

Instead of birthday cake, we had a choice of birthday pies!

Her candles looked like Crayola crayons.

This was the highlight of her birthday gifts.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One day, a couple of weeks ago, a couple of my relatives and I

went to a friend’s for the day ~ to visit, play games and have lunch.

This friend and her husband live along a ravine and are hosts

to a wide variety of birds and wildlife which

entertain them and their guests ~ right outside their big picture window.

~ nuthatch ~

Of course, I took my camera ~ the birds distracted me all day long.

I was shooting through the window though, at a distance from a darkened room,

so the focus is not very sharp ~ hope you enjoy them anyway.

~ goldfinches ~

~ downy woodpecker ~

~ red-bellied woodpecker ~

~ cardinal ~

~ rose-breasted grosbeak ~

~ pileated woodpecker ~

These birds are sooooooo big!   They measure from 16-19 inches long!

I think they look like they are left over from the dinosaur age.

~ Baltimore oriole ~

But my favorites to see at her house are the orioles ~ they have so many!

These are females . . .

. . . and this is a male.

They love the grape jelly feeders  that our friend puts out for them.

My friend and I got beat 5 games out of 7; my camera wouldn’t focus on

the birds half the time ~ it wanted to focus on the trees instead,

but my, did we have a wonderful lunch and visit anyway.

Can’t wait till the next time ~ there is never enough time for friends and fun!

“A friend loveth at all times . . .”

Proverbs 17:17

TGBTG