Our next camping trip actually happened because we signed up to do a half marathon in Nags Head. Instead of staying in hotel we decided we'd take the kids and camp instead. Our childcare plan didn't work out so we didn't do the race and just had a great weekend away weekend away on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. Getting to the camp ground is quite a trek. We booked the 4:30 pm Cedar Island to Ocracoke ferry
(Click here for the ferry reservation website) Suggested arrival time is 30 minutes before the ferry leaves. We got there just in time at 4:15!
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| On our way to the Cedar Island ferry |
The 2.5 hour ferry ride was surprisingly uneventful. I was completely expecting to have an urge to feed a kid (or three kids) to the seagulls but they loved it. We took plenty of coloring books, crayons, markers and games to keep them occupied. The cabin of the ferry was super comfy, roomy and air conditioned! This was definitely a new experience for us since back in the day when we'd go to the Outer Banks we took naps on the way there and back.
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| The wind was a little strong. |
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| The gift of a beautiful sunset....aaahhhhh |
When we got the Ocrocoke we had a short drive to get on another ferry but this time it was only 30 minutes. We got to Hattaras around 9:00 and still had another hour long drive to get to
Camp Hattaras which is actually in Rodanthe. We finally made it to the campground around 10:00 and had to set up our little home away from home. Thankfully, it doesn't take very long!
This was the first time we had been to the Outer Banks since Hurricane Irene. On Saturday morning my husband rode to the nearest store to grab milk for the kids' cereal. The lady working there told him that it was the first time they had opened their doors and he was their first customer since the hurricane had devastated their town. Later that day we drove down Hwy. 12 and saw water slides in pieces on the side of the road, stores without windows still, roof tops blown off. The coolest part was all the new wood where they have worked so hard to rebuild what was lost. New picnic tables at each camp site, new stairs leading down to the beach, new homes going up everywhere. It made me think about my own life and how at some times it would have just been easier to lose hope and move on but instead I (we) work hard to rebuild what was broken. If it's worth fixing then you stay and fix it and even make it better than before.
We spent a few hours on Saturday at
Jockey's Ridge State Park playing on the sand dunes. OH MY GOODNESS! That was an insane leg work-out but so much fun!! The kids had an absolute blast running up and down those dunes. The view from the top was pretty amazing too. I added hang gliding to my bucket list that day.
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| Jockey's Ridge |
Saturday when we got back to our humble little abode we all swam in the indoor pool (the outdoor pool was still under construction).
Camp Hattaras has a 9 hold mini golf course that the kids enjoyed too. The at fishing ponds weren't great so the boys gave up after about an hour of no bites. It think they may need to restock their ponds. I learned a few things on this trip. I like that with each trip we learn a little more about how to perfect this whole camping experience. OR maybe it's not be be perfected but the funness is that it's not perfect at all and we are all learning.
Here's what I learned:
- I (not my husband) will make the camp site reservation for two reasons:
- There is strategy involved that my husband doesn't consider. Mostly that being near the bath house is essential for us girls.
- Driving an extra hour to the campground is no fun for a mommy or kids who have been in a car for several hours already.
- Camping at the beach is WINDY! There will be sand in every crevice of the camper, car and your body.
- PLAN! PLAN! PLAN! I wasn't nearly as organized this time and it was evident. No towels were packed and the kids had no toothbrush.
- Take an earlier ferry from Cedar Island. 4:30 was too late!
- Apply sunblock to myself when applying it to the kids.
- Take bikes
- The pouring rain doesn't have anything on our little camper. Not a drop of water came in during the monsoon we experienced while we slept Saturday night.
We asked the kids what their favorite part was:
- Taylor said the surf shop and ferry ride.
- Landon said the ferry ride, ice cream shop and getting a treasure chest from the gift shop.
- Kenly said getting a new bathing suit and the pool.
Here are a few pictures from OBX, NC:
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| Grillin' and Chillin' |
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| Super cute little camper lights. The wind was too strong to leave them hanging. |
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| Our three little campers |
