Just Another Day At the Beach

I've lived in Rocky Mount 6 weeks, but I still haven't been able to grasp the fact that I live only 2 HOURS from the ocean!!!  For people who have been known to take 2 DAYS to drive to the beach, that's pretty astounding.

 We've had the opportunity twice now to drive over to the ocean for a day trip.  

First we went to Nags Head two weeks ago, when Dad and Mom came to see our new home...

Mom and Anna looking for seashells.

Enjoying ourselves on the newly-constructed pier at Nags Head.
It's made of concrete, so it doesn't creek when you walk on it like regular piers do.
And it's so new it doesn't even smell like fish yet!

And today we visited Atlantic Beach...

See that "No Swimming" flag in the background?  There was a wicked rip current there, and a section of the beach was cut-off from swimming.  Nonetheless, some folks didn't heed the warning.  We witnessed 4 water rescues during the hours we were on the beach.

After leaving the beach, we visited the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. 

It was a truly beautiful aquarium, inside and out... 

My home!

The kids were looking at the largest aquarium tank in North Carolina.

That's a giant sandcastle.  Pretty amazing!


"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea."  
-Isak Dinesen

"The sea hath no king but God alone."  
-Dante Gabriel Rosetti, The White Ship

The 4th

"Saturday in the Park, I Think It Was the 4th of July..."

-Chicago

Well, maybe it isn't Saturday.  

But it is the 4th of July.  And we were in the park.

Took a stroll through Battle Park in Rocky Mount on this hot and sunny Independence Day.  Very pretty park.  

And gloriously Southern.

The Tar River, which was WAY up today after several days of rain.
In fact, the pier was underwater.  We'll have to see that next time.

 In my continued fascination of old cemeteries (I'm a history buff: I'm not creepy), we took a look at those in Battle Park.  We found several that started some good conversations with the kids.

(above) I asked a question that I've never really thought about before:  "If a baby doesn't live long enough to be given a name by his parents, does he get a name in Heaven?  And if so, who gives it to him?"  Anyway...although it's sad to see things like this, it's also quite comforting to know that my God is a God who brings babies to Heaven to live with Him.  In a perfect paradise. :)

(below) We remarked on how many gravestones had been vandalized or destroyed by time in Battle Park.  Ironically, several of them said "Gone but not forgotten."  I reminded my children (and myself) that no matter how hard we work to leave a legacy here on Earth, nothing we do will be remembered in history.  Not our name. Not our good works.  The only thing that counts is what is recorded in Heaven.

And I'm thankful for that.  

Medoc Mountain

 Now that the unpacking is all done and we're settled in, it's time to get out and start exploring our new area.  So on Tim's day off today we headed about 30 miles north of Rocky Mount to Medoc Mountain State Park.

Had a great time! 

Here's what we learned from our first hike since moving to Eastern Carolina:

1.  IT'S BEAUTIFUL to walk through the pine needle-covered paths, which wind aimlessly through the woods here.  There are no steep hills to climb, or treacherous terrain to navigate.  It's just an awesome walk.  And it's cool out in that state park, even on a hot June day like this one was.

 2.  We learned that the woods here are covered with pretty white QUARTZ rocks.  John brought one home as a souvenier.
* Our family sincerely apologizes to the fine officials in the State of North Carolina.  Little did we know that it is ILLEGAL to take a rock out of a state park!  We assure those of you who are powers-that-be in the Parks and Recreation Department that on our next family excursion to Medoc Mountain, we will replace that beautiful Quartz rock EXACTLY where we found it.  Until then, it will make a great keepsake in John's room.  :D

  3.  We learned that you can make lots of NEW FRIENDS hiking in the woods of Medoc Mountain.
Well.... maybe they aren't the kind of friends that you'd want to take home with you.  But they'll sure stick with you faithfully!

 We apparently aren't the only ones struggling with these little "buddies...."  

We saw the sign below at the beginning of a trail.

The best way to show someone you love them is to check them for ticks.  Ha!  

 4.  And finally, we learned that a great way to top-off a good day of hiking in Eastern Carolina is over the really yummy enchiladas at EL TAPATIO on North Wesleyan Avenue.  Oh, wait.  I don't guess enchiladas have anything to do with hiking, do they???

Oh, The Lawns That You'll Mow

Today was a big day in the life of my little men:
They learned to mow the grass with a lawnmower!!!

Grass Cutting Procedures:

Step #1: Take off your shirt, so as to "impress the ladies" in the neighborhood who might be watching.
Step #2: Pick up all the pinecones in the yard that come from living beside 100 acres of pine forest.
Step #3: Attempt to prime the pump.
Step #4: Get Dad to prime the pump because it's too hard.
Step #5:  Mow the grass.

Tim is a happy camper this Father's Day weekend...
His days of mowing the grass are numbered.  :)