Cool story today in the Norfolk Va.-Pilot about the Bodie Island Lighthouse being in a contest for free repairs.

(Photo from the Virginian-Pilot)

A busy summer on the Outer Banks

The Norfolk Va.-Pilot had a good article this week on tourism on the Outer Banks this summer.

Basically, it said that folks are still coming to the beach in droves despite the downturn in the economy and high gas prices.

Welcome to the beach

My family and I just got back from our first summer week in our new Outer Banks beach house, Carolina Cottage at Milepost 3.5 on the ocean side of Rt. 158, aka "the bypass."

The ocean was as clear and warm as you would ever want it, with just one thunderstorm in Kitty Hawk all week.

We put the house through its paces: I grilled on the pool deck at least three times and wore out the stairs running supper up and down. After swimming in the ocean all day, the pool was a treat at night. We played Marco Polo and listened to Green Day on my MP3 player.

The best place to nap

 

The best place to nap that I have found is on the chaise lounge on the second floor deck near the hot tub. It's the first spot to cool off during the day, and there is a sweet ocean breeze even on a hot July afternoon.