And then there were 6...

Since I started the week with a pic of the front of the house, here's the back to mark the end.


A rare picture of Pat, a friend of Johnny's who lives with and helps his parents.


Buster is ready to hit the road...


The kitchen is packed up; the chefs are leaving!


Cocoa, the resident canine at the Dognutz store.


Craig with his purchase...



This week's blogging happened right here!


The last sunset to post. See you back in Maryland!

This week we have had as many of 10 of us here; now we are down to 6. Both Beth and Scott had to return to their homes yesterday. So more goodbye's were said and the rest of us had a relaxing day winding down from our week full of activities. Craig and I went shopping at some of the local boutiques - you'll see his purchase in one of the pictures. The family calls it his sombrero! And we got to visit the Dognutz store - so cute!

We are trying to cater our meals around the last of our provisions. This morning we are loading up and heading home so I will sign off in a minute, eat breakfast and go pack. Hope you have enjoyed following us this week. Safe travel to all today!

Our time is winding down...

Another yummy homemade country breakfast!


John, Doris, Frank and Lois (looks like they coordinated their outfits!)


Our water-front table at Fisherman's Wharf


We would have loved this store but it was closed :(


Our street; somewhere down that road Beth and Buster are talking a walk...


Sun sets on another perfect day!

After such an incredible adventure on Wednesday, we needed a slower pace day. One more country breakfast (Lois' homemade biscuits are out of this world; and Frank's sausage gravy? - yummo!) and goodbye's were said to Frank and Lois who headed back to Black Mountain, NC. Everyone had the morning to do their own thing, and then after lunch we headed south to Wancheese (yes that's spelled right!) and Roanoke Island to go to the family's favorite restaurant to visit on any trip to the Outer Banks - the Fisherman's Wharf. It's an hour's drive but well worth it; the freshest seafood around. Can't get much closer to the water as you'll see in the picture. The only problem with our plan is that we also wanted to do some major shopping but we found all our favorite stores closed by the time we finished dinner (guess we should have reversed our order and eaten at the end). So we came home and enjoyed some homemade cobbler and strawberry ice cream.

One more full day of vacation; all good things must come to an end... At least we have had beautiful weather for the second half of our week.

Where the wild things are...

Our drive onto the beach begins; that's Craig's SUV in front...


Buster enjoys the ride from the back of Frank's truck


We think this beach house is a little too close to the water!


Our first stop where we found the first groups of wild horses...


Uncle Frank being his usual self!


There they are!


The second group of them we found right at the water's edge


Amazing!


This black stallion runs right in front of Craig's SUV!


Currituck Lighthouse


Aunt Lois was one of the fearless to climb and has her sticker to prove it!


I know someone who loves lighthouses; (Mom, this picture is just for you!)


Back to the house and time to catch some rays by the pool...


A wonderful sunset to end a wonderful day!

Wednesday brought us the sun and a wonderful day of adventure. After another incredible country breakfast (we have got to stop eating like this!) we headed out in Frank's truck and Craig's SUV, both all wheel drive vehicles which were needed for where we were heading...) What a memory...

Being this far north on the Outer Banks we were very near the entrance to the wild horse sanctuary, an area only reachable by 4 wheel drive vehicles, a 12 mile stretch of sand and surf where only the brave dare to tread. So we were determined to go! We hoped to see the wild horses and we were not disappointed.

We spent time afterward at the Currituck Lighthouse where some continued the day's adventure by climbing to the top (214 stairs I hear; wouldn't know for sure since I was not one of the ones to venture up!)

I will let the pictures tell the story. It was incredible and an adventure we'll not soon forget...

"After all, tomorrow is another day..."

Uncle Frank, Beth and Buster check out our new neighbors...


The dogs get acquainted


Gone with the Wind...


The turkey before it goes in for its deep fryer bath!

Tuesday was another dismal kind of beach day so we decided it was the perfect opportunity to take the afternoon and watch "Gone With the Wind." So we watched the classic and recited all the memorable lines as we went along. We discovered the family staying in the house behind us also have a dog so Buster made a new friend.

For dinner we enjoyed turkey fried in Uncle Frank's cooker. It was delicious. And we had s'mores via the stove's gas burners (no way to do a campfire!) And then to top the night off most of us played cards, Phase 10 to be exact. I won :)

So, a fun day even though it was cool and rainy and overcast. But, just wait for tomorrow's post about today's adventures - worth tuning in for!

Enjoy the photo diary of our day...

Rain, rain go away...

LOTS of rain!


The threatening skies


We have our own internet cafe!


Buster returns!


Craig returns from his business trip and says "cheers" with Mother


Pat and Scott play internet Monopoly


Daddy listens while Lois & Mother recall childhood memories...

Well, the nemesis of every beach vacation is the unexpected and unwelcomed...RAIN. It rained all of Saturday night and most of Sunday morning. We got a few hours of sun and clear skies that afternoon but that was it. Yesterday and today it is non-stop rain; coming down in bucket fulls at times. So our activities have been limited to indoors...

Yesterday was an eventful day; Craig traveled to New York for the day for work; his uncle and aunt arrived from Black Mountain, NC and they brought Buster, Beth's dog back from a 6 week visit there. Several of us went shopping at some of the local boutiques. And of course, we eat - the cooking has been fantastic. Just this morning we enjoyed a true southern homemade breakfast - buttermilk biscuits with gravy; country cured ham, fresh fruit, eggs from the farm. Ummm we are eatin' good! Tonight Uncle Frank is heading up dinner - well be having a turkey on the fryer.

Aunt Lois and Doris (sisters) have been spending time together recalling memories from their childhood and writing them down in a book for the family. During the day everyone does their own thing. At night we play games or watch movies. Today seems like a good day for "Gone with the Wind."

Here are some pictures of what we've been up to...

Outer Banks (Corolla), NC

The mansion!


See all the decks? Amazing!


The back decks and the pool...


Mother and Daddy...


The sun worshippers catching some rays after morning storms


Even Tino finds a place to relax


Craig walking on the beach


A cactus flower

For the next week we are here at the beach as a Harvey family. Craig's parents, sister, brother, an aunt, an uncle, two dogs and other family friends have come to be together and we are having a great time so far. The weather has not been ideal but we have found plenty to do to keep ourselves entertained. Mainly our to-do list has consisted of relaxing!
This house is HUGE! 9 bedrooms and about 11 bathrooms. Three levels, an elevator and decks on every floor, for every bedroom I think. We even have a game room with fooz ball table and pool table, media room, outdoor pool, hot tub and volleyball court. Every bedroom has its own TV. The kitchen is gigantic which it would need to be to fit all the chefs. Actually we have things organized so that each night someone else takes the lead for dinner and one night we will go out. We are eating like kings (and queens) and enjoying ourselves as the pictures will show.
Craig and I walked down to the beach yesterday (about a block away) and it was fairly deserted. Not the real busy season here yet. So, enjoy the pictures of our first day...