That’s what my 12-year-old is calling me. The rare, extremely rare, red raccoon. The result of sunburn and sunglasses. Aren’t 12-year-olds fun?
Ocracoke Island was FABULOUS! We loved it. Separated from the mainland by a two-hour ferry, it’s a secluded, family-oriented island with miles of undeveloped, pristine shore where you feel as if you are on your own private beach. There are no chain restaurants, no chain hotels, no fast food, limited cable, and I only found internet access one time at the back of a t-shirt shop where I paid six bucks to check my email for about 20 minutes. It feels like the edge of the planet, and it’s wonderful.
Ocracoke Island has a small village of several blocks around the harbor and the rest of the island is nothing but quiet beach. Definitely my idea of the perfect vacation. I hate crowds! We spent most of our time on the beach, starting out early in the mornings.
The lighthouse at Ocracoke Island–the kids didn’t think this was all that exciting, but I thought it was cool. There are lighthouses all up and down the Outer Banks. Now I want to see them all! The seafood was GREAT, by the way. Yum. Dinner will never be the same…..
Did I mention the toad? Yes, we were about two hours from home, on our way to Cedar Island where we took the ferry to Ocracoke, and suddenly a toad jumped out from under my seat and into the cup holder between the two front seats. No one ever took responsibility for Mr. Toad’s appearance. We left him at a rest area.
So, we’re back, we’re burned, we had a great time! The dogs were thrilled to see us when we picked them up at the vet’s and the cat hasn’t let me out of his sight. See all our Ocracoke Island vacation pics here on my photoblog!
P.S. And remember my piece about Barbies a while back? I did a reflection on my Barbie piece, including thoughts on the interesting comments you all made in my blog, in my latest column at DotMoms. Read my perspective on how Barbie play for girls is like watching soap operas for women here !
Michelle says:
Fabulous pictures! So glad you had such a great time. Welcome home!
On June 24, 2005 at 8:35 am
Trace says:
Great pics, Suzanne! But where are the pics of you?
On June 24, 2005 at 8:43 am
Suzanne says:
The rare, extremely rare, red raccoon is hard to spot, Trace. :rotfl: Honestly, I’m like most moms, I guess. I’m the one who TAKES all the pictures!
On June 24, 2005 at 8:48 am
Margery Scott says:
Welcome back, Suzanne. Sounds like you had a fabulous time.! Love the pics.
On June 24, 2005 at 8:48 am
BJ Deese says:
Oh Wow! The pics are gorgeous. I’m glad you had a great time. I need to go someplace like that. LOL
On June 24, 2005 at 8:57 am
Teresa H says:
Sounds like you had a great time! Love the pictures. Glad to see you back though…:yes:
On June 24, 2005 at 9:03 am
Jill says:
Loved the pics!!!
On June 24, 2005 at 9:34 am
Melissa says:
:wave: Glad you’re back Suz! And, I’m glad you all had a great time! Love the pictures. 😀 Put Aloe on that burn 😳
I love lighthouses!
On June 24, 2005 at 10:28 am
Amy K. says:
Welcome back! Looks like an awesome place to go! (Adding it to my list of Somedays…)
On June 24, 2005 at 10:34 am
Alyssa says:
Those pictures are incredible! Thanks for posting them. I hope your sunburn goes away fast.
:shocked:
On June 24, 2005 at 10:35 am
Tori says:
Welcome back! We missed you! Ocracoke sounds fabulous (except for that lack of Internet thing…)!
On June 24, 2005 at 11:00 am
Danica says:
Welcome back! We missed you. The pics are great, thanks for sharing.
Oh, and this is from the recovering sick girl on my lap. :bananadance:
On June 24, 2005 at 11:11 am
Kelly says:
Beautiful pics, Suzanne. Sounds like a fab vacation. Welcome back!:grin:
On June 24, 2005 at 11:11 am
Crystal* says:
Kids are a laugh riot, aren’t they? :fryingpan:
I’m so glad y’all had fun on your vacation. Sounds heavenly. And I hope the red fades FAST! :yes:
Grins*
On June 24, 2005 at 11:13 am
Robyn says:
Wow, sounds like a fabulous vacation spot!
Hope you are relaxed and rested after this.:smile:
On June 24, 2005 at 11:21 am
Sonja (from HCRW) says:
Oh my gosh! I want to go so bad! (I just finished looking at your One Day at a Time pictures and it looks like you had SUCH a great time!) I told my husband that I have decided that our next vacation WILL be to Ocracoke. 🙂
On June 24, 2005 at 12:05 pm
Kim Cresswell says:
Beautiful pictures, Suzanne. Ocracoke Island looks like my kind of place. :yes: I haven’t had a vacation in years. Hubby declares I’ve been on vacation since I started writing full-time. lol Men. :blahblah:
On June 24, 2005 at 1:04 pm
Mary says:
I’m so glad you’re back. I missed your blog. Glad your vacation went well.
On June 24, 2005 at 1:13 pm
Marcy says:
Welcome back, Suzanne! Or should we call you Rocky? Nah, he was a flying squirrel, not a racoon. *sigh*
I loved the pics of your vacation. Looks like you had a wonderful time.
On June 24, 2005 at 1:38 pm
Emily says:
Glad you had a fun trip. And I guess it’s good Mr. Toad got at least half a vacation. 😆
Off to look at your pictures now.
On June 24, 2005 at 2:38 pm
Lindsay says:
I’m having fun getting to know you and yours – you sound like a fun family! Love the vacation photos, but my fave is of your terrific house. Looks very conducive for the writer in you! And the poem about your dad is beautiful; loved the little girl gust line. Yep, a writer from the beginning. 😉
On June 24, 2005 at 3:58 pm
Mechele Armstrong says:
It looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing your photos. Brought back memories. :bananadance:
On June 24, 2005 at 4:10 pm
Carol says:
Great pictures! It sounds like you had a great time! Welcome back! 🙂
On June 24, 2005 at 4:30 pm
Lynn says:
Love the pictures, Suzanne! It looks like a wonderful vacation. I’m jealous.
On June 24, 2005 at 4:56 pm
Gina says:
Welcome home, Suzanne! I missed reading your blog this week.
On June 24, 2005 at 5:04 pm
Lis says:
What great pictures! Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time :bananadance:
Tip for the sunburn, try some lotion with shea butter in it. Helped my sunburn last month 🙂
On June 24, 2005 at 5:41 pm
Jaq says:
I’m abosolutely envious! Love the sum up, and the pictures. Welcome back Suzanne. 😀
On June 24, 2005 at 6:28 pm
Steph T. says:
Welcome home!! The pictures are great – I’m glad you all had such a wonderful time 🙂 Now I’m actually researching Oracoke for a vaction, since I hate crowds too!:wave:
On June 24, 2005 at 10:04 pm
Mary Stella says:
Welcome back, Suzanne. The pictures and description show me that this is a place I would like to visit!
On June 24, 2005 at 10:51 pm
Rene says:
It seems like when I turned 30 my ability to tan disappeared and I’m often a raccoon lady. Love the pictures, particularly the one of your daughter at the bottom of the post.
On June 25, 2005 at 9:31 am
Teresa says:
Welcome back! Sounds like a great time and I love the pictures!!
On June 25, 2005 at 8:03 pm
Kate says:
Welcome back and great pictures (yeah, I’m majorly envious though):yes:
On June 26, 2005 at 8:50 pm