First Day of School

The kids are back in school today. Clara started middle school, so they are both at the same school again for one year.

Clara seems to be thrilled/scared/excited/anxious, as appropriate. Molly seems to be over it (but probably a bit nervous on the inside?), also as appropriate.

They biked off for "zero period" which is the brutally early music class. Can't wait to hear how it goes!

Day 7 - Island Scenes

I'm sure we went to the beach on our last day, but I didn't take any pictures. Here are some shots from around the village including:
- The gravestone of our house's namesake
- Me and the kids in the back seat of the golf cart
- Clara wondering what it would be like to be a (voluptuous) mermaid
- Clara being sworn in as a Jr. Ranger
- Sunset off of Ann and Warren's deck
- Attempts to photograph the "silver hammock moon"

[posted 8/29/2018]

Day 6 - Exploring

In addition to beaching, on Day 6 we did some in-town exploring. Clara did her Park Service activity to make her eligible for a Jr. Ranger badge. (she also threw up during the activity, then promptly felt much better, making me wonder if she's been gorging herself on candy). In the evening, the kids and I biked out to the canals, ushered some crabs off the road, and I got a kick out of the Hyde County Transit bus.

[posted 8/29/2018]

Day 4 - Clara goes all in at the beach

This day, Clara went all in with beaching: she biked to the Lifeguard Beach all on her own*, then we picked her up and she joined us at a drive-on beach. I had fun with Molly's waterproof camera and took lots of pictures in the water. It was a bit gray, but actually super nice for hanging out at the beach. 

*One of the biggest changes on the island since I remember going is the actual reduction in traffic. Bikes are still as popular as always, but the addition of golf carts has made getting around the village much nicer, even though there are more people. Apparently, the golf cart thing was a grass-roots effort to deal with the boom in tourists and their accompanying cars. Where there's no option to expand, people sometimes figure it out. 

At the same time, another big addition is a bike path along the main highway out to the beaches. It only goes to the Lifeguard and Campground beaches, but it makes it absolutely possible to safely and comfortably bike to the beach from town! Clara put it to use, and paired with the lifeguards, had a solo trip to the beach. Lucky kid! 

[posted 8/28/2018]

Day 3 - Beach, Beach, Lighthouse, Storm

Our third day brought us the rented 4x4, which opened up more beaches to our group. After a quick orientation, we zipped out to South Point and were able to get a quick swim before ominous thunder, lightning, and driving rain sent us packing. Zach and I ventured out again in the afternoon and it was absolutely delightful.

We also took a spin in Ann and Warren's golf cart, touring the lighthouse area and meeting one of the many local cats.

I'm pretty sure this was the night of the big thunder storm. Molly had commented that the thunder and lightening thus far had been somewhat "unimpressive". That night, the storm ramped way up and tat one point there was a clap of thunder so loud that a magazine jumped off the coffee table!

[posted 8/28/2018]