Outer Banks, North Carolina 11/17/2013

NOVEMBER 17, 2013 (Sunday)

 

Happy birthday Pepper!

Thought it was going to be a lazy day today. We slept in a little and when we woke up, the weather looked decent. At this resort we have to share internet. It costs us about $45.00 for the week for one connection (that’s why we share). When Michael got on his computer, he had received an email from Beth. (Beth had contacted us when we were in Montana and recommended an ice cream place we loved.) This morning she recommended a donut place. 

We know from experience that Beth knows her stuff but the place she recommended was closed until Thanksgiving. We discovered, however, that there are other Duck Donuts and one is very close to our “home” resort here in Kitty Hawk. Michael and Lexi went on the mission to get Duck Donuts. They looked for the bacon ones but they didn’t have them. Maybe they’re seasonal. What they did bring home were the most delicious (and still warm from the oven) donuts. Lex and I had peanut frosting with drizzled chocolate and Michael had a maple frosting with chocolate drizzle. Right again Beth. Thank you. 

Just like the sign says, and so good.  Thank you Beth!
Just like the sign says, and so good. Thank you Beth!
Those are the donuts under the heat lamp.  They are so moist, they have to have extra butter in them.  You order the topping you want and it is all there on the left.  The doughnut chef comes out and puts your order together.
Those are the donuts under the heat lamp. They are so moist, they have to have extra butter in them. You order the topping you want and it is all there on the left. The doughnut chef comes out and puts your order together.
Drizzling chocolate on the peanut butter frosting ones.  It looked so good I asked him to drizzle some on my maple one as well.  It was too good, really, we are here for 6 more days.  That means 6 days of fighting the desire.  Edie has already declared she will be a repeat customer.
Drizzling chocolate on the peanut butter frosting ones. It looked so good I asked him to drizzle some on my maple one as well. It was too good, really.  We are here for 6 more days. That means 6 days of fighting the desire. Edie has already declared she will be a repeat customer.
They sell clothing as well.
They sell clothing as well.

After that we went for a drive. The fog was clearing up and it looked like it was going to be a nice day. We decided to go North to Corolla. It’s about a 25 mile drive. I was reading where you can only go so far and then you need a four wheel drive and permits to go further. If you do happen to get the permits and the four wheel drive, you probably get to see the wild horses that roam those areas. That would have been fun but we only got to where we had to turn around at the end of the actual road. (Was tempted but the Prius doesn’t do sand very well. I’ve tried.)

 The Duck city water tank.
The Duck city water tank.
There are so many huge homes on the Outer Banks Island.  It is very noticeable as you drive along the homes.
There are so many huge empty homes on the Outer Banks Island. It is very noticeable..
End of the road, four wheel drive only after this point.
End of the road, four wheel drive only after this point.

It was a lovely drive to Corolla. We went by quaint little towns and lots and lots of vacation homes that are vacant and look lonely. There are statues of differently decorated horses along the route and are fun to look at. I especially loved the copper horse, but also loved the mermaid horse, oh and the horse with butterflies. OK, I loved them all. All very unique and fun.

We saw a lighthouse and a sign for the Wild Horse Museum. We took that road but the Museum was closed. We ended up going into a lovely park with a beautiful yellow building. I told Lexi that was where I wanted her wedding to be. Just a gorgeous setting. The lighthouse was nearby so we parked and Michael and I got out to check it out. 

It cost us $7.00 each to walk to almost the top of the lighthouse, but it was worth it. I did, however, feel that I should have been much higher up than just 160 or so feet. Felt like I had climbed up at least 800 feet. So beautiful on top. Water everywhere on all sides. While we were up there we could see a heavy fog rolling in across the barrier island. 

I would like to meet the horse statue sales person that worked this island.  Up and down at almost every retail establishment the statues pay homage to the wild horses.
I would like to meet the horse statue sales person that worked this island. Up and down at almost every retail establishment the statues pay homage to the wild horses.
Nice manicured grounds.
Nice manicured grounds.
I was fascinated by the trusses of this structure.
I was fascinated by the trusses of this structure.
Currituck Beach Light Station.
Currituck Beach Light Station.
Felt like a cross between working at San Quentin and a WPA project.
Felt like a cross between working at San Quentin and a WPA project.
Grumpy old man climbing the stairs.
Grumpy old man climbing the stairs.
Great custom stairs.  Iron, with I'd guess about a hundred coats of paint.  Nice style and nice and solid.
Great custom stairs. Iron, with I’d guess about a hundred coats of paint. Nice style and nice and solid.
Views are excellent from the parapet.  On the right is the wild animal education center.  There is a ramp for launching small boats and kayaks.  Nice park and grounds.
Views are excellent from the parapet. On the right is the wild animal education center. There is a ramp for launching small boats and kayaks. Nice park and grounds.
Light keeper's house.  It was a prestigious job in its day.  Nice house added to the attraction of the isolated job.
Light keeper’s house. It was a prestigious job in its day. Nice house added to the attraction of the isolated job.
Still a few fall colors to enjoy.
Still a few fall colors to enjoy.
French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel came up with a glass structure that forced almost all the light to shine straight out like a spot light.  Really improved safety for ships.  It is called a fresnel lens to this day.
French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel came up with a glass structure that forced almost all the light to shine straight out like a spot light. Really improved safety for ships. It is called a fresnel lens to this day.
Grumpy old man and pretty woman.
Grumpy old man and pretty woman.
A copper colored horse caught Edie's eye pretty easily.
A copper colored horse caught Edie’s eye pretty easily.

Once we got back down from the heavens, we drove back to Kitty Hawk and went dinner shopping at Walmart. Lexi cooked and decided to make a chicken taco salad for dinner. It was delicious. Since she cooked, I’ll clean the kitchen.

Edie sat down first and discovered the steep incline to the seat.  I opted not to struggle to get me ample ass out of such a pit.
Edie sat down first and discovered the steep incline to the seat. I opted not to struggle to get my ample ass out of such a pit.
Edie climbed out and we took a picture on the edge, much to my preference.
Edie climbed out and we took a picture on the edge, much to my preference.
Horse statue.....
Horse statue…..
Horse.....
Horse…..
Big chair at Walmart.
Big chair at Walmart.
Dinner shopping.
Dinner shopping.
Lex's finished product.  It was delicious.  She just didn't make enough!
Lex’s finished product. It was delicious. She just didn’t make enough!

Michael and I are hoping to get our “date” tonight and watch “The Paradise” on PBS but we’re not sure if it’s showing here. We’ll see. That was our day. Hope yours was wonderful!