Saturday, June 9, 2018

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2005. This was Mattie's third trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He was three years old and by that point had learned to appreciate the ocean and sand. Mattie had a very cautious side to him, so I really never had to worry that he was going to touch the stove, get into cleaning products, or jump into water. Peter took this photo of us around July 4th! Mattie had his red on in celebration of the occasion. 



Quote of the day: Take a long walk alone in the woods - leave the cellphone and music player at home. Your whole being will appreciate it. ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie

This was our view this morning from our Residence Inn balcony in Raleigh. There was a lot to watch from my perch as there were many graduations taking place and we could see graduates and families hustling about. This is a photo of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts and there was a lot of activity around it today. Including flower stands selling bouquets for graduates. 

Raleigh is actually very flat. You can see clouds and trees for as far as the eye can see. 

We got on the road at 11am to head for Kiawah Island in South Carolina. It was about a five hour drive from Raleigh, NC. As we were getting close to the South Carolina border, I kept seeing all sorts of advertisements for "South of the Border" things. I was thoroughly confused because the only thing south of the border that I am used to hearing about is Mexico. But South of the Border here, was referring to South of North Carolina..... which puts you into South Carolina. Do you just love the South of the Border sign with the sombrero water tower when we reached South Carolina? I thought it was adorable and they have a whole theme park geared for kids at this turn off.  

Meanwhile, I took this photo because I can't get over this..... this is what I-95 South looks like. I am used to I-95 North, which looks NOTHING like this. I-95 North is congested, filled with bumper to bumper traffic, unstable drivers, and lots of advertisements and signs. But I-95 is beautiful and what surrounds you is nature. It prepares you for the fact that you are leaving the stress and aggressiveness of the northeast. 

I would say we had a very rainy drive to South Carolina. But as we approached Kiawah Island, you could see all the inlets and tidal marshes. 

Then we entered Kiawah Island. Peter and I have heard about this Island for years from our friends. We finally decided to venture further than North Carolina and check it out. You have to be a resident or renter to get onto Kiawah Island. There is a guard gate that prevents visiting traffic from getting in. So it already sets up a dynamic of calmness, as we are not surrounded by a lot of people and my friends tell me it is such a safe and friendly island. 

I can't tell you what a wonderful sight this was to see... our living room with a view! After two days of traveling, it was worth it. Last year's Outer Banks experience was a nightmare. Our condo was a disaster and I spent more time cleaning and complaining to management about it. This year, it is a completely different. Right now as I am writing the blog on our balcony, this is what I am seeing......

A wonderful buck!















This is our view of the Atlantic from our living room. More photos tomorrow. Right now I am going to try to learn to unwind and relax. Neither of which I do well anymore since Mattie died.