Williamsburg, Virginia to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 11/15/2013

NOVEMBER 15, 2013 (Friday)

Moving day. Another cold and grey day. We’re moving to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina – about a two and half hour drive (approximately 100 miles) from Williamsburg, Virginia. The drive to Virginia Beach was very interesting as we had to drive under water in a long tunnel. I felt like I was in the chunnel in England. What fun, and scary at the same time.

On the way to Virginia Beach, thought what a strange bridge, so low to the water.

Then it became obvious that we were headed under the water. — Then it became obvious we were headed under the water.

Down, down, we went. This was a first for all us Californians.

It is always nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Nice to break out into the surface again.

And we still had a ways to go on the water. We had quite a conversation about over the water verses under the water for boat traffic, expense, catastrophic failure.... — And we still had a ways to go on the water. We had quite a conversation about over the water verses under the water for boat traffic, expense, catastrophic failure….

Months ago we had contacted a man (Digital Dan) who was trying to decide if traveling around the country should he use resorts or an RV, which would best suit him and be less expensive. Michael contacted him and he lives in Virginia Beach. We had made arrangements to meet in person for lunch before we head to North Carolina. Edie has a life goal of eating in every Cheesecake Factory in the world. Success is not likely, but we asked Dan to meet us at the one in Virginia Beach. We meet, ordered our food and after a time his lovely wife, Celsa, joined us from her work for her lunch hour. We had a really good visit. Dan has theoretically traveled for a year looking at real costs on RCI for last calls and specials. He traveled in the greater Virginia Beach area for under $15,000, lodging and transportation only. Anyway, he is trying to talk his wife into doing full time timesharing after she retires. We encouraged them to do it now while they can, and before grandkids come. We got some really good suggestions from Digital Dan as he’s been in this area for many years. We got in an excellent visit and agreed to another meal when we are back in the area next February.

Virginia Beach Cheesecake Factory just getting ready to open. We had an hour to drive and walk around.

We drove for a half hour, parked and walked for a half hour. Nice fountain in the downtown area.

We waited inside the Factory, used the restrooms and then ogled the desserts.

I had the BBQ Chicken Salad, lunch portion. It was huge. — I had the BBQ chicken salad, lunch portion. It was huge.

Because Celsa' time was limited Dan ordered her a Cesar salad with grilled shrimp. — Because Celsa’s time was limited, Dan ordered her a Cesar salad with grilled shrimp.

Edie tried but could not climb out of her rut called, “shepherd’s pie.”

Lex opted for a mushroom burger, well done, with a green salad. Her burger was medium rare. She tried, but just could not eat it. So she sent it back and the manager came and apologized profusely. The second one was well done. We collectively hope no one got in too big of trouble.

Dan and Celsa were a lot of fun. They to have two kids, about the same age as ours. We had a good time. — Dan and Celsa were a lot of fun. They have two kids, about the same age as ours. We had a good time.

Lex only ate half her hamburger so she could get a dessert. Turns out she got a dessert for 3.

Around 2:00 PM, we said our goodbyes. The drive to Kitty Hawk was lovely. You really feel like you’re on the outer banks with water everywhere.

We went pass Senator Kaine's office to and from the parking garage. It was our footpath marker. — We went pass Senator Kaine’s office to and from the parking garage. It was our footpath marker.

Getting close to our barrier island home for a week.

Our new “home” is quite lovely. We have a screened in porch on the front, a hallway with washer and dryer, two bathrooms, and in the bedroom there is a large jacuzzi tub. This has been the first “home” we’ve had that there were extra cabinets for the food. Nice that we don’t have to remove or move things to make room for food items we brought.

Getting here, you feel like you a pulling into the back side of a Walmart, but you round a corner, get to manicured lawns and a pretty lake and you know you are at a resort..

Check in was a breeze. They are well practiced at welcoming folks.

Master with a huge jacuizzi in the corner, flat screen on the dresser.

There are some activities here – water aerobics and such, and some other activities. We’ll check them out and let you know. Checking in was easy and quick. We found our room easily and it is nice. Michael was checking out the hallway and noticed the lock off unit next door was open. He went in just to see it as it was obvious there was no personal property in it. We decided to call the front desk to see if we could upgrade so Lex could have a real bed. Long story short, we called the front desk and they said we would have to go through RCI. The frontdesk also confirmed there was no one in it for the week. Two calls later to RCI we got Everett. What a great guy. He booked us into the lock off and there was no charge due to the lateness of the booking. So nice. Lex is delighted to have her own space. Thank you so much RCI and Everett!

Lex's new living room. — Lex’s new living room.

Lex's new bathroom. — Lex’s new bathroom.

Lex's new bedroom. She is very glad not to be on the couch. — Lex’s new bedroom. She is very glad not to be on the couch.

Lex and Edie celebrated by going out for a dinner of sushi. They went to Sanya Asian Bistro. They each had a martini and some sushi. They are full and happy.

Edie's vegetable rolls. — Edie’s vegetable rolls.

Anyway, we’re tired. That was our day. Hope yours was great!