Beautiful Beach Vacation in the OBX!
Sometimes the best vacations are the ones you don’t plan for. You just let it happen! When my daughter, Ireland’s dance team made nationals, we knew we were headed back to Virginia Beach. We were here for nationals last year too. They don’t release the schedule of when the girls actually dance until about a week and a half before the competition starts. Guess what, turned out we had a few extra days to do anything we wanted to do. So we did! We hopped in the car and left Green Bay last week, just the two of us. Girl’s monster road trip out east. What fun!
First stop was Cleveland, OH where we visited family and I cooked up some recipes in a jar on TV. You can watch the video here.
Then, we were off on an adventure. Next stop the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I’ve never been, and it’s on my bucket list of places I wanted to visit. At the last minute we were able to find a little beach house to rent for a few days. It was so cute and just perfect for the two of us! We settled in, bought a couple beach towels and we each got a boogie board. We were all set for a few days of R & R on the beach! Mornings were lazy and wonderful! The locals told us that we just had to have Duck’s Donuts! People line up for warm, made to order donuts every morning. Trust me, it’s worth the wait! Ireland insisted we get a half dozen. Who am I to argue!
Then, we’d walk to quiet beaches. Ireland loves to collect shells whenever we go to the beach. She was in “seashell heaven” here!
I loved looking at all the charming beach cottages. From the old historic cottages to the new bright colored ones. All gorgeous! After a day of boogie boarding. We worked up quite an appetite! “It’s shrimp time!” That’s what we would say every day at about 5pm. Several beach bars served 10 cent shrimp, nightly. Seriously! Piles of warm shrimp served with cocktail sauce and warm melted butter. Lot’s of napkins too!
It was 4 days I’ll never forget! We hated to pack up and leave our little cottage and this magical place! But, it was time. Off to Virginia Beach for Ireland’s dance competition. Stay tuned! Hope to find some more fun and delicious seafood there too! Have you been to the Outer Banks? If so, what are your favorite spots? We are dreaming of coming back! Maybe with the boys next time, or maybe not! Sure was fun to have this girl time!
Hi Amy!
The Outer Banks of North Carolina are just are absolutely wonderful place to visit. We have been going there since 1987; our adventures started as a college roommate reunion with families.
I know that you did not have a lot of time to explore, but the Outer Banks have so much to offer. Your son, Riley, is interested in history. You can explore the Wright Brothers Museum, lighthouses, the Elizabeth I sailing ship in Manteo and the Lost Colony play in Manteo. Manteo was the home of Andy Griffith. The first time that we went to OBX there was a filming of the TV show Matlock.
I was so happy to read that you rented a boogie board. I loved that activity, but I am certain that my doctor would not approve after I had a hip replacement. One of our favorite stores was Kitty Hawk Kites. My husband and son loved flying kites on the beach. You also want to go to the beach past Corolla where there are wild horses. We have gone on a commercial tour, but this past May our friends have a jeep. We were able to drive on the beach, have a picnic , and view the horses. It was an unbelievable experience!
A few of the great places to eat are the Blue Point in Duck, the Black Pelican in Kitty Hawk, and the Colington Café west of Kill Devil Hills. We also purchased chocolates at the Forbes Candy and Gift Shoppe. The caramels were unbelievable.
We had donuts at Duck Donuts in the village of Duck. We walked there , and there is a fantastic boardwalk that is there for exercising and shopping. It offers a great opportunity to walk off those calories from the donuts.
Our friends own a beautiful home in Duck. If you are interested in renting for a family get-together. Please contact me, and I will give you the info about the house. My friend loves to cook, so I know that you would enjoy the house. The whole house is just a gem!
Gloria
Please let us know where you got those shrimp!
Hi Gloria,
Great ten cent shrimp at Nags Head Fishing Pier! We can’t wait to go back! May have to call you friend about a rental next time! Thanks for the scoop! -Amy