My Trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina (2002) [photos]
by John Johnson
Sunday September 29, 2002
I made it.
What should I say? The ocean breeze is so soothing. The sky is mostly clear and all the threats of rain seem to be gone. It should be a nice day to be at the beach -- which is, of course where I am.
I am sitting in my room, propped up on my bed (with this cool blue dolphin comforter) watching the waves roll in off the Atlantic Ocean maybe a hundred yards from this house my sister rented on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The curtains in my room blow in the breeze, and a calm washes over me. I realize that for the next week I won't have to worry about work, or schedules or broken cars. I am stuck in this house with five other people and I can't fly home on my cheap plane ticket until next Saturday.
I'm the first one up, as usual. Maybe it's the caffeine-ephedra supplements I'm taking to lose weight. Or, it could be that I'm a light sleeper and I just can't sleep on such a beautiful day. Let me get to the beach -- I can sleep there.
I wonder when everyone else will get up? Kathy and Chad are still sound asleep upstairs. Mitchell is sleeping quietly in his bunk bed. I saw his little toes sticking out. Kathy's friend Todd has his door shut. I'd guess Jarrett is sleeping. First off, I am afraid to wander by his room, because if he did wake up he'd yell at me. But, I can be assured that he is sleeping because he is a teenager, and it's like a full-time job for him to sleep in and lay around. He's very good at it.
My Xena-Less is kicking in, and my head is clearing. I just had a fresh peach that Kathy bought at a fruit stand on the way here, and some grapes. I have to stop typing and get out to the b each, or at least the pool. I'm committing some kind of cardinal sin by sitting on my bed. But, then again, this will be a week without expectations, judgments or schedules. I'll do what I can, when I want and stay mellow.
The trip out from Iowa was fairly mellow. Kathy and Chad drove from Northern Michigan and had car problems. But, Jarrett and I merely had to catch a six o'clock flight from the local airport in Moline, IL and we arrived in Norfolk by eleven last night. The trip was too uneventful. Jarrett is still treating me poorly. I'm not his real dad, and I think he tries to make me sound bad to his friends and he acts like he doesn't like me or want to be around me. Just my ATM card, is all he needs. I didn't get a smile out of him on the way out. I know he won't offer a thank you when this is over either. I shouldn't be cynical. He's an eighteen year old and we get on each other's nerves. He was glad to see Kathy though. He broke into a big smile and laughed as she drove us up the beach in the Range Rover at 2 AM last night. Maybe he'll loosen up on this trip. I miss the old Jarrett.
The ocean beckons. I'm just going to slip into my bathing suit and grab a towel and take a walk. Looks like it will be a pretty good day after all.
Later…
I walked along the beach and picked up shells while I was waiting for the others to wake up. People drive their 4x4s along the beach, so it's difficult to find decent shells that aren't broken. I found a few, nothing much. By then everyone else was getting up. Mitchell was glad to see his Uncle John. He was more excited about the pool, and seeing his cousin -- so he and Jarrett headed to the pool, while Chad and I made Bloody Marys. They weren't spicy enough, but a good start. Later, while I was lying out at the pool, I enjoyed two Pina Coladas. It was a relaxing time, and I got a good burn started. Jarrett played, and seemed to be loosening up. He didn't enjoy his Colada, but he made an effort and spent a lot of time with Mitchell.
Kathy and Mitchell and I walked up the beach to the Virginia state line, which is blocked off with a fence. This prevents illegal traffic from one state to the other I guess. It was nice to walk and talk with my sister.
While Jarrett was grilling up dinner, I got talked into looking for Mitchell's lost kite. It flew into a dense bunch of trees and shrubs and I had to spend half an hour getting to it and another getting back out. All of this for a $3 kite. I guess I enjoy having a "quest". Maybe in another life I would have been a knight. Anyhow, it was pretty silly of me to stubbornly trudge through briars and get scratched up in my shorts for a kite. But, I eventually found it and returned as everyone else had finished dinner. I didn't want much, being on a new diet and all, but I felt bad at missing dinner after everyone worked hard at preparing it. I think they understood.
We finished off the last couple hours with a puzzle. We found a 500-piece puzzle in the closet and we are sure it is missing a few key pieces. We'll finish that tomorrow. For now, it's midnight and I am exhausted. Tomorrow I'll swim, get some more sun and maybe drive into town to look around. I don't really care. My cell phone is off and I am out of the office and out of reach
Monday September 30, 2002
I started off the morning by working on a section of the Harry Potter puzzle. After half an hour my eyes were tired and Chad brought me a Bloody Mary. I figure my backup, Mike, was just getting into his first salvo of email at the office by now. It didn't take me long to finish off my breakfast drink, and I then grabbed a Michelob Ultra and went to sit in the hot tub. Jarrett already had the hot tub going when he woke up at eleven. This was the hot tub built by Jack Kervorkian. When you went to climb into the tub, you got a mild shock. We figured it was just a floating ground problem, and dutifully ignored it.
Half an hour in the hot tub lead to an hour or so in the pool on the floating raft. Tough life! Jarrett got the second kite going (not the one I rescued, but another that was left here with dual strings for controlling it.) Kathy, Todd and Chad worked on their tans and I finished the puzzle. (Ok, I got down to the last dozen pieces and Jarrett finished it, but I did the hard part.) Jarrett also grilled us Linner (since we didn't really have lunch, this 4:30 meal was Lunch-Dinner.) He really has been great on this trip, and I hope that continues.
After a long walk up the beach and into Virginia, looking for shells, we relaxed with some card games (led again by Jarrett) and television (that was my idea.) I took a long hot bath before bed, with another Michelob Ultra in hand. (It turns out the Jacuzzi in my room was really a large tub without jets.) It was all very relaxing, and as day two came to a close, I can now settle down to sleep listening only to the roar of the ocean as the breeze blows through my room.
I continue to try consciously to avoid thinking about work, and I push the thoughts of bills out of mind. There is nothing critical to worry about this week. Everything can be done when I get home. I can take care of my business then. I can clean up after the dogs. I can catch up at the office. Nothing needs to take my mind off of important things like tanning and swimming and sleeping and getting along with family for a week. If I even call the office this week, it will only be to rub in the fact that I am here and not there.
Tuesday October 1, 2002
Tuesday was a long day. Another lazy day. Everyone is doing their own thing. I started off the day with a long walk on the beach, followed by coffee and a hot tub. Then the pool. First I laid on my back on the raft and floated around, then I got out of the pool and laid on my front. Then I went upstairs and sat out on the balcony and read. From one spot to another in worship of the sun. This went on for several hours. Everyone else did pretty much the same thing, in their own way, in their own time.
Around three o'clock we gathered up and trekked into Corolla. It is a twenty-minute drive, and we were all pretty squished together in the Land Rover. We did some shopping and then drove down to Kitty Hawk for dinner at Dirty Dick's. The meal was decent, at least I thought so. Chad enjoyed his King Crab. I enjoyed my shrimp. Jarrett and Mitchell enjoyed their meals. Kathy was fussy. We bought T-shirts that said "I got my crabs at Dirty Dick's" and headed home, with a stop at the Food Lion for groceries.
You might think the day was over, but it was still only about ten, so we started snacking, drinking and played Euchre until three in the morning. Everyone had a good time.
Wednesday October 2, 2002
Three days down and three more whole days of relaxing left.
They had a virus scare at work yesterday. I'm glad I wasn't there. I bought Mike a t-shirt to thank him for dealing with it instead of me. We'll see how his wife likes the Dirty Dick's t-shirt.
It was a little slower getting going this morning. I feel awfully full after the big meal and all the snacks yesterday. I will have to get in some exercise before I plant myself in a lawn chair. [This is where I leave and do something and come back later and tell you what I did.]
Well, I hunted for shells again. I found two sand dollars. I was thinking that I could sift sand and find some more interesting shells, but all that got me was wet since the ocean kept sneaking up behind me and soaking me.
I tanned and read and watched Jarrett master his new kite. The kite was a two-handed acrobatic kite, and he got pretty good at it. I think I'd need to spend an hour playing with it to get the hang of it. He let me try it and after a couple seconds I was able to ground the kite. Not too impressive.
We all finished up the day with jumping in the pool. Then Jarrett and I cooked up the steaks I bought the night before. Todd joined us for some television, and then went to bed. He has to catch a 3 AM shuttle back to the airport. I am really glad to have two more whole days before I have to pack up and leave.
I called and asked about the dogs. The boy who is watching them tried to be nice and let them stay on the porch while he was in school. Ellie was tied up, but Tanner got loose and one of our neighbors called Animal Control. So the kid had to pay $40 to keep Tanner out of doggie prison. The dogs are otherwise just fine, and both at home now. I'll gladly pay the fine since it beats the alternative!
I also heard about the 7 minute dating situation. My flight gets back at 7:30 on Saturday, which is when the dating starts. This would be a good opportunity for me to meet some women… potentially, but I am afraid that I couldn't get from the airport to the Library Café with my luggage any earlier than 8 o'clock. I guess I'll call the Yenta and tell her to book me on another dating night. I'm already starting to worry about stuff that I can't do anything about until I return. So, I'd better stop thinking and get back to relaxing. Now that I know the dogs are alright, I'll try to drink more and work on my sunburn.
Thursday October 2, 2002
I'm feeling a little sad this morning. I slept in until after nine, and played Solitaire and walked the beach looking for stones. All the time, I have an aching inside because I know that this week will be over soon. I have today and tomorrow to enjoy this borrowed lifestyle. I feel pressured… rushed to do nothing. Like I have to pack as much "doing nothing" into the time I have left. I guess the fact that Todd had to leave last night brought home the fact that this week will eventually end.
The sun is high and strong. Kathy, Chad and Mitchell have gone for a walk on the beach. Jarrett is up now and moving about. I've played a couple games of Solitaire, and read a chapter in my book. I've already changed clothes once, after my first walk on the beach. There seems to be no way to avoid the surf when you are walking along the shore picking shells.
I called my friend Mike at work. Probably a mistake. They are having more virus problems, and I feel a little bit guilty for not being there. But, I know I have work ahead of me next week, and I should enjoy myself and this vacation now. And I am. The rest of the world can wait a few days. I can deal with problems on Monday. For now, there's no shortage of liquor or sunshine.
I walked the beach as Jarrett flew his kite. Kathy took a long walk on the beach. Everyone just took it easy, basically. We played in the pool around 5 o'clock, and as the sun set, we realized that we needed to drive into town if we were cooking burgers. The drive in and back was an hour, so by the time Chad cooked up burgers and brats it was 9 PM. We played Euchre into the night again.
Friday October 3, 2002
Every day since Todd left I still brewed up a pot of coffee. The first two cups were hot, then I did my best to help get rid of food by adding ice cream and rum. You can tell that if this was how I started out the morning, that I wasn't concerned about getting much done during the day. And I wasn't.
As usual (it's kind of cool that I'd been there long enough to think of things as 'usual') I walked on the beach and picked up shells. Everyone else was out on the beach and I walked over to take a look at the jellyfish that washed up on shore. I gradually walked out further and further into the ocean until I was over my head. No sharks. That was good. I noticed that I was starting to get pulled on by the riptide, so I swam back into shore. After lunch we all played in the pool and hot tub. Kathy shot video and Mitchell was jumping into the pool all on his own. He was "doing cannonballs" like he saw the rest of us doing.
We drove into town around 6 o'clock for dinner, and settled on a nice restaurant that served up lobster. Kathy ordered two. She really wanted lobster! I had one lobster and a very nice steak. After dinner we drove go-karts and then we drove home.
The ride back was another shaky one 10.3 miles up the beach. I was starting to get brain damage from all the rocking back and forth! At least I could drink and relax when we got back, since the only thing left to do was play a few hands of Euchre.
I understand that Jarrett stayed up past midnight and helped Kathy pack up the kitchen. Sometimes when you think you have someone figured out, they go and surprise you.
Saturday October 4, 2002
We all were up around 7 AM. Today we had to pack up, do last minute laundry, snap some pictures and take out the trash. We checked out around 10 AM and after a couple short stops Chad drove to Norfolk, where Jarrett and I caught our flight back to Moline a couple hours later.
On a personal note, Jarrett was quiet and sullen again and didn't want to really talk to me. I understood, I guess he was sort of between two worlds -- the relaxed vacation where he could let down his guard a bit and cut his dad some slack, and the busy world of friends, dates and work that he was returning to. I think I had been vacationed quite enough, and I was looking forward to getting home, to see the dogs and to spend a day sleeping. It's amazing how tired one can get after a week of doing nothing.
We got home around 8 o'clock, and the dogs were extremely happy to see Daddy. I cleaned up the floor and house after the dogs week alone. They had been walked regularly, and did remarkably well this time. Nothing was destroyed, and there were only a couple pee stains. Jarrett claimed he was too tired to eat dinner, but quickly overcame that and drove off to socialize with friends. He had me order him pizza at 10 PM. Good thing I was still on my "vacation diet" so I could partake. I usually avoid good tasting things. I decided I could stretch my vacation one more day, and get back to reality on Monday. Right?
Epilogue
It's been two weeks since we got back from the trip. The leaves are falling in a serious way in Iowa now. The cold has come and it gets close to freezing at night. I have organized my projects and I am trying to get 'caught up'. Of course, that's a never-ending battle. I think if I learned anything from my trip, it's that we are always catching up. We always have something to do. If we didn't, we'd just sit and stare off into space all day or something. We have responsibilities… obligations… some good, some bad… and that's the way it's supposed to be. But, I can now set aside a little time to make room for myself and push the concerns of the world to the side. Maybe for 20 minutes, or maybe I can open the shades and have a cup of coffee like I am doing now, and write and gather my thoughts. Rather than feeling stressed all the time, I can indulge myself and deal with the world and everyone else's needs after my coffee is gone.
This was the first trip I took in a long time where I didn't feel rushed to get things in. I wasn't trying to visit historical sites. I wasn't expected to do anything, and I liked that. As opposed to a weekend or a 20-minute vacation (or 7-minute date), taking a full week off was enough time for my body to recharge. From my very cells to my state of mind, I gained a renewed vigor and refreshed perspective on my life. I enjoyed spending time with family, and I enjoyed spending time alone -- just reading or watching the seagulls and listening to the surf. So, it was a good trip and just the right length. (Any longer and I might never have come back. I might have just checked into that sanitarium lifestyle permanently.) Thanks again, Sis! You've taught me what a vacation should be like, and I'm going to have to make this a habit.
fin.
[click here for the photos]
©John D. Johnson, PPSA Online Magazine