Kings of the Road

Larry and I attempted to boogie board in the ocean today (and if anyone can teach us how to boogie board, or at least give us some pointers, I would appreciate it, because we’re clueless.) Our “boogie boarding” consists mostly of just jumping around in the waves, interspersed with getting pummelled by the waves as we attempt to “ride them”. We were about 1/2 mile out (ok, maybe more like 15 yards), and there happens to be a sand bar there, so I was standing about, looking like I knew how to boogie board, when all of a sudden something started biting me! Something big! Well, it was more like it was gumming me, because I didn’t feel any teeth, but if there would have been teeth it would have taken out my entire calf, it was that big. So naturally, I FREAKED out, as can only be expected when you are being attacked by a giant sea monster. I screamed bloody murder and started charging my way to the beach. I just barely made it back to safety. I think the entire beach heard me.
About two minutes after I nearly escaped mutilation by sea monster, we saw dolphins swimming the same distance out from the beach as we had been boogie boarding. We saw these same dolphins swimming and splashing farther out earlier this morning. As I recounted the story to my mother, she told me tales about dolphins who like to bite humans. I had no idea that these cute, jumping, playing dolphins were actually evil biting dolphins intent on seeking out innocent boogieboarding humans. Who knew that dolphins like to BITE people?

It looks like the last couple days of our vacation may be spent indoors. We’ve been really lucky this week to have such beautiful weather, so I suppose it’s ok. I’ve been working on my tan and Larry has been working on his freckles. But this afternoon, it’s become very cloudy, grey and windy. The waves are out of control. So we may pass the day tomorrow playing games, reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. We already have plans to eat lunch at Five Guys–a delicious burger joint that is everywhere in the Metro DC area. There’s one a few miles down the road, and we are going to introduce mom and dad to the goodness that is Five Guys. You can practically feel your arteries clogging as you eat the burgers, but they are soooo good.
I’ve been taking some pictures with my new camera, but unfortunately I lost the cable on Monday, so I have not been able to transfer the pictures to the computer. Check back soon though, because when I get home one of the first things I do will be to buy a new cable.

We are having a wonderful time in the Outer Banks. Our condo is on the third floor, and it looks out over the ocean. I can hear the waves crashing as I type. Grandpa and Grandma are staying right down the street in an awesome beach house.
On Sunday we went swimming in the ocean, took a walk on the beach, and spent the afternoon at Slammin’ Sammys in Nags Head watching the Colts game. I was able to tolerate about 2 quarters of the game before I had to leave (mom and I went shopping and made it back to the bar in time for the last few minutes of the game.) I just hate football. But I do have to admit it, that last play was pretty crazy. The guys were happy that the Colts won.

Today we went to the Bodie Island Lighthouse, and then had lunch and shopped on Roanoke Island. We just got back from eating some delicious oysters, crabs, clams and shrimp at Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar–yum! It has been a very relaxing vacation so far…except for the birds. The birds do not like me here.

Yesterday morning, I thought I would feed the birds the extra piece of toast we had from breakfast. I took it outside to the balcony, and as I was standing there, about 20 birds appeared from out of nowhere and started diving towards me. One bird in particular came very close, and I could see the evil in his little beedy bird eyes–he wanted the toast, and he wanted to kill me. So I panicked. I grabbed the piece of toast, ran into the condo and slammed the door behind me. As I shut the door, I flung the toast across the room, just in case any evil birds had followed me in. I pictured them covering my arms and head, pecking my skin, my nose and my mouth. I ran through the condo as fast as I could to get away from the evil birds, fearing for my life.

Then later on the beach, I was minding my own business and relaxing in a beach chair, when suddenly an army of about 30 birds surrounded me, each one strategically spaced on the beach. So what could I do? I threw a shell to scare them away, and I accidentally hit one of the little buggers in the leg. I never have such good aim. I am sure that the birds are truly out to get me.

Larry and I are going to the Outer Banks, North Carolina tomorrow for a week. My parents rented a condo and graciously invited us to join them on vacation. How could we possibly pass that up? After a couple of crazy weeks at work, I’m really looking forward laying on the beach and playing with jellyfish in the ocean.

We just bought a new camera and video camera, so stay tuned for lots of movies and pictures, coming at you straight from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Woot!

We made it back to Bethesda. Everything is just how we left it, except for one thing–I looked out the window, and I saw all these giant trees that I don’t remember being on the street. They are all over the place, on all the streets we can see from our balcony. I swear, I am not going crazy, there were no trees when we left. How did these huge trees get here? Some of them are three and four stories tall! We’ve either returned to a different version of Bethesda in some other parallel universe, or traveled through time, or the city planted giant trees while we were gone.

Although the vacation is over, Larry will still be posting the funny little video clips, so keep checking back! I’d like to keep blogging, but my life isn’t really that interesting. But if we do anything interesting, or take any more trips, I will definitely update the blog. In fact, we are going to Ohio in a couple of weeks. So the blog will continue
adios.