Our time in North Carolina through the eye of Instagram. (I want to go back to the Outer Banks.) Love and Laughter, Jenn If you enjoyed this post you can…
Our time in North Carolina through the eye of Instagram.
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As a family on the road, I write a lot about our lives as “tourists” but what is it really like to be a family living in an RV? There…
As a family on the road, I write a lot about our lives as “tourists” but what is it really like to be a family living in an RV?
There is so much more to the fulltime RV lifestyle than National Parks and museums. A few people have referred to our trip as a vacation. I understand how it would seem that way.
But it’s not a vacation.
Just ask Brent about how many hours he works a week. And ask the boys how they feel about school. And just because our toilet is in the RV doesn’t make it any more fun to clean.
My point is this is our life and much of our life takes place at “home” and in our “backyard”. An ever changing backyard is the second best thing about being a family on the road. The first best thing is slowing down and just being together.
With this in mind, I’m starting a new series of posts called Our Backyard. Our Backyard is to remember the simple moments that happen in and around our RV, to capture what it’s really like to be a family on the road, and to share the campgrounds we call home.
Don’t worry. I won’t be taking any pictures of me cleaning the toilet.
Thing Two enjoying his quill and ink.
Thing One walking the dogs.
An after dinner walk to watch the sunset.
Sunsets make everything magical even a beach covered in trash.
An abandoned camper.
There were a lot of choices for camping in the Outer Banks. We stayed at Sands of Time campground because they gave us our Passport America discount (50% off) every night. It was the least expensive campground we could find in the Outer Banks.
While it wasn’t fancy it was clean, quiet, cute, and the staff were super nice. It is also near the middle of the Outer Banks making it an easy drive to many places.
Our backyard in the Outer Banks.
It’s good to be a family on the road.
Love and Laughter,
Jenn
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The Outer Banks in North Carolina is not only a place where you can watch sunrise and sunset from the beach but a place rich in beauty, history, and recreation….
The Outer Banks in North Carolina is not only a place where you can watch sunrise and sunset from the beach but a place rich in beauty, history, and recreation.
The drive to the Outer Banks was long. As we drove through the seemingly endless wetlands, we counted basking turtles on the logs to pass time.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
See the Jr. Rangers in the background?
We started at the Outer Banks Visitor Center and found out Fort Raleigh National Historic Site was just a few miles away. Fort Raleigh was the first English settlement in North America. (St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied city.) It is better known as The Lost Colony because the fate of the 116 settlers has never been determined.
In 1587, Sir Walter Raleigh appointed John White to lead a group of settlers to sail for Chesapeake Bay in hopes of starting a colony. However, they stopped on Roanoke Island and, for unknown reasons, they were forced to stay by the ship’s captain.
The colonists’ attempt to build relationships with the Indians failed due to conflicts with English explorers the previous year. After one of the colonist was killed by an Indian they persuaded John White to go back to England to ask for help. White departed leaving his family behind including his newborn granddaughter, Virginia Dare, the first English child born in North America. Due to circumstances beyond his control, he was unable to return to Roanoke for three years. When he made it back to Roanoke in 1590, he found the island deserted, hence, the name The Lost Colony.
I hope the boys always remember how much we love each other.
And our silliness.
You can watch the sunrise over the Atlantic and the sunset over the sound.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
A little over 300 years after The Lost Colony, the Outer Banks claimed another first.
The first flight was made by Wilbur and Orville Wright at Kitty Hawk. We spent the afternoon at the Wright Brothers National Memorial marveling how much world change hinged on that cold December morning in 1903.
See the white markers to the right of Thing Two? That’s how far the first three flights went – 120 feet, 175 feet, and 200 feet. The fourth marker is further out at 852 feet.
I found myself praying that our boys would share the same sort of camaraderie and friendship that the Wright brothers shared. I’m still waiting for that miracle.
We weren’t the only ones contemplating flight…so was Nigel.
Love and Laughter,
Jenn
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One of the best things about full time rving with kids are the little surprises. We had an overnight stop at a campground and we had fun making some new…
One of the best things about full time rving with kids are the little surprises.
We had an overnight stop at a campground and we had fun making some new little friends.
We already know how much I love miniature mules.
It may seem silly but waking up to find a corral of little donkeys are what makes living on the road so much fun.
Playing on jungle gyms before breakfast is fun too.
Even Meow Cow likes full time rving.
That is how he often sleeps on the center console when we are driving.
Love and Laughter,
Jenn
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It’s been a long time since a Thrifty Threads Thursday post. As I said before, I felt pretty silly posting my outfits. Plus it got cold and when it’s cold…
As I said before, I felt pretty silly posting my outfits. Plus it got cold and when it’s cold all I care about is staying warm not how I look.
But I’ve decided to bring Thrifty Threads back for four reasons.
1. Thrifting and bargain shopping is fun.
2. Wearing what find is fun.
3. Sharing what I find is fun.
4. I choosing not to care what people think.
So what if I’m almost 35 and like to post pictures of my clothing on the internet. Being a homeschooling mom doesn’t mean I have to stick with jean jumpers and Crocs. Not judging. 🙂
I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself through clothing but once I had kids that along with keeping up with music took a back seat.
Luckily Brent keeps my iPod filled good music but the clothes are up to me.
This skirt is my most recent happy find.
I found this skirt in a thrift shop in Williamsburg, VA. (That’s the Mayflower II in the background.)
Aren’t the dancing people on the skirt sweet. So happy! My nails not so much.
The belt was thrifted in Ventura, the shirt is from the Old Navy Sale rack, and the bracelet was from our trip to South Africa.
Love and Laughter,
Jenn
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What can be more fun than celebrating the Fourth of July in Boston? Celebrating the Fourth of July in Boston with another family on the road! Fourth of July fun with…
What can be more fun than celebrating the Fourth of July in Boston?
Celebrating the Fourth of July in Boston with another family on the road!
Fourth of July fun with friends!
The weather forecast the morning of the Fourth of July was sketchy with a 50% chance of rain. Large crowds give me slight anxiety. (Luckily, I’m good at disassociation that is how I brave lines at Disney World.) However, being in a large crowd in the rain is one xanax away from a nervous breakdown.
Still I was determined. Determined to have fun. We didn’t drive all the way from California to miss experiencing the Fourth of July in Boston. So we packed up and headed to the nearest subway station.
Things started getting fun in the parking garage at Quincy Adams. This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had fun in a parking garage.
In a parking garage with over 2000 spaces, we parked next to another fulltime rv family. I almost couldn’t believe it either.
When I noticed a sign on the back of their truck, I did what any normal person would do. In less than a minute, I found them on twitter, took a picture of my children next to their truck, and tweeted them the photo.
They actually tweeted me back and we ended up meeting them at the celebration. Crazy huh!!!
Not only that they came over for dinner two days later. Of course, I forgot to take a picture but it happened here is the proof. They were shocked to find out there were other families on the road. Welcome to the world of fulltime rving families!
Until the a policeman behind us told we might want to pack up. Huh?
There was a nearby storm and they were thinking about calling the show. We were told everyone could be evacuated into a tunnel to wait out the storm. Since we were near the exit he didn’t want us to get trampled.
Trampled.
Yes, his exact words.
Comforting.
We headed into the tunnel with thousands of others.
Luckily, I’m stubborn as hell and don’t mind ignoring authority, i.e. ,policemen on bikes who kept telling us to move down, we were near the “exit”. Amazingly, I didn’t even get anxiety despite the crazy thoughts bouncing in and out of my head.
It must have been because we were with friends. I bet we are the only families to have a group picture taken in this exact spot ever.
We were only in the tunnel about 25 minutes before we got to leave.
The show must go on rain or shine or evacuation.
And rain it did. A sudden downpour during the firework show.
And this is where the fun stopped.
After the celebration, we tromped through the puddles to the subway. As soon as I saw the mob waiting outside the station I considered walking the 45 miles back to the campground. (I also thought about kicking the park ranger who told us, “whatever you do don’t drive into Boston on the Fourth.” Apparently, she has never ridden the subway on the Fourth.)
Our friends who drove into the city, granted they parked in Boston early, got home over an hour before us. They were also spared being herded like cattle and witnessing a fight on the subway at 1 am.
At 2 a.m. we pulled into our campground exhausted but grateful. Grateful for friends, fun, and freedom.
Love and Laughter,
Jenn
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We have a camping membership called Thousand Trails. It’s sort of like a time share but less classy. Instead of a condo on a beach, we get a campsite in…
We have a camping membership called Thousand Trails. It’s sort of like a time share but less classy. Instead of a condo on a beach, we get a campsite in a network of campgrounds. Some of these campgrounds are wonderful. Most are really great. A couple have been “meh“. One or two have made me wonder if I’m up to date on my tetnus.
Forest Lake Campground in Advance, North Carolina, was wonderful. We only stayed here for four days. Four days that were full of simple pleasures like walking through the woods, fishing, and exploration.
We could see the lake from our campsite where Thing Two spent hours fishing.
One afternoon the boys and I decided to explore the nearby small town of Lexington, North Carolina.
Our first stop was The Candy Factory where I had to say no more than yes.
We found a great antique/vintage shop complete with a military room. Thing Two could have stayed in there all afternoon.
Another afternoon, the boys and I drove to Hiddenite Gems for some prospecting.
Sluicing.
We left the sluiceway for some “creeking”.
Thing Two was in his element. (Pun intended.)
He could have searched for gems all day.
Thing One put on a happy face and posed for some shots for me.
In reality, he thought creeking was about as exciting as trimming toenails. He prefers the finer things in like visiting mansions.
But after I told him to “at least act happy” I got this.
And this “Do I look Like I’m Having Fun Now?” smile.
“Is this happy enough for you, mom?”
We also made some little friends.
Pictures like this make me forget that “mom” is synonymous with “referee”.
Finally a real smile. On our way to the car.
Love and Laughter,
Jenn
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I started blogging as a way to keep a digital journal of my life. Never did I imagine that my cyber pathway would lead to new friends. I can’t recall…
I started blogging as a way to keep a digital journal of my life. Never did I imagine that my cyber pathway would lead to new friends.
I can’t recall how I actually met Jen but I know it was on a cyberpath. Over the last few years we have had many email conversations and discovered we had many things in common aside from our first name.
We even both have black cats.
After a few years of cyber friendship we finally got to meet in person when I spent the day with Jen in her town of Boone.
Our weekend in Lenoir (which is near Boone) was Easter Weekend. For years, we have spent Easter in Scottsdale, Arizona with my grandparents. This year, I admit it felt a little lonely without them but we did our best to have fun in our little hideaway in the mountains.
Our morning started with the campground church service.
After lunch we colored eggs. Coloring eggs in our house is an event especially when the only people we have to celebrate Easter with is ourselves.
Here we have a Harry Potter, a “Where We’ve Been” Map, Humpty Dumpty, a kettlebell, a Storm Trooper, and a cat.
Who do you think made this “I love Nico” egg?
Yep and boy does he ever love that little dog even with those crazy eyes of hers!
What about this “camouflage soldier” egg?
Of course!
While the boys and I went on a short hike Brent hid the eggs for an hunt.
Brent’s Humpty Dumpty was my favorite.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpy had a great fall jump.
This is so Thing Two, enjoying something simple like playing with his Easter eggs.
Someday, I’m going to look back at this picture with so much nostalgia it will hurt.
The rest of our Easter was spent hanging out together and being silly. Holidays at home away from home aren’t so bad.
Love and Laughter,
Jenn
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We have lovingly called Thing One “the youngest old man” since he was little. From as early as I can remember, he has liked “fancy things”. His early elementary drawings…
We have lovingly called Thing One “the youngest old man” since he was little. From as early as I can remember, he has liked “fancy things”. His early elementary drawings were of detailed Roman columns and thrones. In third grade, he was elected class treasurer. The next day he insisted on wearing a suit “to work”. Instead of collecting bugs, he collected toy limousines. One year I tried to make made him a limousine cake for his birthday. Today, even with our limited space, there is still room for his robe and suit.
Yes, as long as we don’t count his penchant for Taco Bell Beefy Fives, he is a man of fine taste.
I’m not sure Brent and I, or even he, understands his interest in finery. After all, we live in an RV more like gypsies than high flying executives. But he is who he is and we love every inch of him.
Knowing all this, it makes perfect sense that for his 12th birthday he wanted to visit largest house in the United States, the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, North Carolina.
I don’t have a lot to say about his visit to the Biltmore Mansion because I wasn’t allowed to go. It was a “daddy and me” trip only.
While Brent and Thing One visited the Biltmore Estate, Thing Two and I rode bikes along the river at Wilson’s Riverfront RV Park. (Such a great little park near Asheville and it’s 50% off with Passport America.)
We also watched James and the Giant Peach which I had never seen and am still trying to understand.
Love and Laughter,
Jenn
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While we were in Key West Thing Two tripped on a curb while carrying our camera and broke the lens. Uh-oh. Normally, I would have to try hard to hide…
While we were in Key West Thing Two tripped on a curb while carrying our camera and broke the lens.
Uh-oh.
Normally, I would have to try hard to hide my annoyance at such an accident. However, this time I had to try to hide my delight. I finally had an excuse to get rid of that terrible kit lens.
After much research (I research the heck out of anything that costs over $20) we decided on a new lens to purchase and where to have it shipped. Unfortunately, we had it shipped the most mosquito infested campground in all of South Carolina.
What would have been a quick stop over en route to Charleston, SC turned into seven long days of waiting in Yemassee. Our 32o square feet of space started to feel like 320 square inches.
One day, we explored nearby Beaufort visiting Kazoobie Kazoos, farmers markets, and having a picnic along the water. However kazoos can only entertain for so long and they don’t offer any defense against mosquitoes.
After three days of waiting in Yemassee, we decided we would skip camping near Charleston and just make the hour and a half drive over for the day.
Fort Moultrie is on nearby Sullivan’s Island, so we started there. I would go to the moon if it meant I could get my National Park Passport stamp. The boys completed their Junior Ranger booklets and thus fullfilling the requirements to earn the Junior Ranger Civil War Historian sesquicentennial patch. The Junior Ranger Civil War Historian is a special program for kids commemorating the Civil War’s 150th anniversary.
After Fort Moultrie, we headed back over the bridge to spend the rest of the day wandering the streets of Charleston. We walked through the city market, to Vendue Wharf Pier, and down small streets taking in the architecture. We bought a walking tour guide but the boys were history-ed out and I had PMS. Bad combo. Let’s just say the guide didn’t get much use unless you think of it as a flat 2 ounce shot put.
I hope southerners don’t hate me for saying this but Charleston is Savannah’s more sophisticated twin. Savannah is charming and quaint. Charleston, while charming, feels more urban and upscale. We spent nearly 30 minutes sitting on the steps of a building, faces buried in our phones, searching for shrimp and grits that weren’t going to cost us $30+ a person.
Finally, we decided to try Jestine’s Kitchen. Jestine’s was just a few blocks away, had good reviews, and was within our budget.
Apparently, we weren’t the only ones wanting southern cookin’. The line wrapped around the building and down the street.
Surprisingly the line moved fast. The service was friendly and the food fantastic.
After dinner we headed to Battery Park to look at the old mansions. Right away we realized we had made a mistake by waiting until after dark. I would have loved to see the beautiful mansions during the day but apparently blinds aren’t a priority so we got glimpse of the gorgeous interiors instead.
Love and Laughter,
Jenn
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