Day 24 - Confessions of a Traveler
Well, it’s here. The last day of our trip. I thought it
would never come but here it is. And I have a few confessions to make.
I have worn the same pajamas every night for 24 days. And never washed them.
I lost my toothbrush in Puerto Rico (7 days ago). I’ve been using Jeff’s. I know, sick. I keep forgetting to buy one for myself. I figure we kiss so what’s the big difference?
Sometimes I’ve made myself have fun doing some of the activities I planned even though if I were being totally honest, I wished I were at home, just so the kids would try to enjoy it. It’s mostly worked.
I love an outdoor shower. Just sayin’.
I’m still addicted to gum.
I’ve eaten a ton of sugar.
I still have a few regrets: I wish I would have gone hang gliding in Kitty Hawk. I wish we would have enjoyed Williamsburg. I wish we would have done better on our Sundays away from home.
I loved going to church in the different areas we've been.
I haven’t exercised in 24 days.
I’ve loved spending 24/7 with my husband and kids. Honestly!
Today is our last day on our trip. We spent the morning and evening at the beach and took a trip to Roanoke Island in the middle of the day to learn about The Lost Colony.
After our late afternoon at the beach everyone showered in the outdoor shower and the kids got ready for their big Disney movie premier of "Teen Beach Movie." We thought that was a perfect opportunity to get away on a little date. Kind of a second anniversary date. We ended up at a little hole-in-the-wall seafood joint in a strip mall called "Armstrong Seafood." It had a 5 star rating on yelp so we had to check it out. It was nothing much to look at. It looked like some college guys had decorated the place. But we had an authentic North Carolina experience with some hush puppies, fried clams, crab balls with "yum yum sauce," steamed shrimp and bay butter potatoes. It was seriously delicious! And the owner was awesome. His name was "Stephen Earl Bateman" but he introduced himself as "Dirt." "That's what everyone calls me," he said. He was probably in his mid to late thirties and had spent years as a commercial fisherman. He had some colorful language but he was awfully entertaining to talk to and he definitely made the place lively. He was a die hard Tar Heels fan and couldn't believe we had 5 kids. It was definitely a meal to remember. We loved it!
I have loved this time with our family. I am so grateful we’ve had this opportunity. I know we’ve missed a lot at home: soccer, friends, callings, work, etc. We’ve maybe shirked some responsibilities to do this trip. I hope we haven’t shirked too much. But I still wouldn’t trade it for anything! We have had so much fun. We have learned so much and had so many amazing adventures.
I am excited to go home. I think another thing you learn from travelling is how much your love and appreciate your “home” and all of the little things that go along with that. But I am not looking forward to the 10 hours it will take to get there tomorrow. ;)
Here’s hoping for many more adventures to come!
I have worn the same pajamas every night for 24 days. And never washed them.
I lost my toothbrush in Puerto Rico (7 days ago). I’ve been using Jeff’s. I know, sick. I keep forgetting to buy one for myself. I figure we kiss so what’s the big difference?
Sometimes I’ve made myself have fun doing some of the activities I planned even though if I were being totally honest, I wished I were at home, just so the kids would try to enjoy it. It’s mostly worked.
I love an outdoor shower. Just sayin’.
I’m still addicted to gum.
I’ve eaten a ton of sugar.
I still have a few regrets: I wish I would have gone hang gliding in Kitty Hawk. I wish we would have enjoyed Williamsburg. I wish we would have done better on our Sundays away from home.
I loved going to church in the different areas we've been.
I haven’t exercised in 24 days.
I’ve loved spending 24/7 with my husband and kids. Honestly!
Today is our last day on our trip. We spent the morning and evening at the beach and took a trip to Roanoke Island in the middle of the day to learn about The Lost Colony.
After our late afternoon at the beach everyone showered in the outdoor shower and the kids got ready for their big Disney movie premier of "Teen Beach Movie." We thought that was a perfect opportunity to get away on a little date. Kind of a second anniversary date. We ended up at a little hole-in-the-wall seafood joint in a strip mall called "Armstrong Seafood." It had a 5 star rating on yelp so we had to check it out. It was nothing much to look at. It looked like some college guys had decorated the place. But we had an authentic North Carolina experience with some hush puppies, fried clams, crab balls with "yum yum sauce," steamed shrimp and bay butter potatoes. It was seriously delicious! And the owner was awesome. His name was "Stephen Earl Bateman" but he introduced himself as "Dirt." "That's what everyone calls me," he said. He was probably in his mid to late thirties and had spent years as a commercial fisherman. He had some colorful language but he was awfully entertaining to talk to and he definitely made the place lively. He was a die hard Tar Heels fan and couldn't believe we had 5 kids. It was definitely a meal to remember. We loved it!
I have loved this time with our family. I am so grateful we’ve had this opportunity. I know we’ve missed a lot at home: soccer, friends, callings, work, etc. We’ve maybe shirked some responsibilities to do this trip. I hope we haven’t shirked too much. But I still wouldn’t trade it for anything! We have had so much fun. We have learned so much and had so many amazing adventures.
I am excited to go home. I think another thing you learn from travelling is how much your love and appreciate your “home” and all of the little things that go along with that. But I am not looking forward to the 10 hours it will take to get there tomorrow. ;)
Here’s hoping for many more adventures to come!
Calvin's getting pretty good at paddle ball.
I love watching Isaac play. Today we did the worst part of any trip: letting the kids pick a souvenir. It's the worst. But we always tell them that they can pick something on the "last day of the trip." That holds them off for the rest of the trip but then we always have to really let them pick something on the last day. It's always something small but it takes them FOREVER to pick it out. We were stuck in "Wings" (the Walmart of souvenir shops in the Outer Banks) for a good half an hour. Jeff finally gave the final call and told everyone to meet at the register. Isaac protested and said in all honesty, "No Dad! This is the time when I change my mind!" It was hilarious! He ended up picking a cheap, plastic ninja set. Nothing to do with North Carolina or the Outer Banks but it was under the $10 budget so what can we say? He played with the num chucks for over an hour in the waves. He's such an awesome kid!
I love it when Kate plays with Mikey. She's so "motherly." Cute!
OBX is how they abbreviate "Outer Banks." It's all over everywhere here. So we joined in!
Our attempt at people-spelling. NC.
The set of The Lost Colony at Roanoke Island. After seeing the set, I kinda wished we would've gone.
I love the trees here!
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