North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores 2/7/2014

FEBRUARY 7, 2014 (Friday)

Woke up to beautiful, glorious SUNSHINE! Couldn’t wait to get out into it. Also, Michael’s foot is feeling much better and he’s ready to get outside!

We did laze around until about 12:30 PM. We went to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. It’s less than five miles from our “home.” It was quite lovely, small, but lovely. We got to see sharks, turtles, alligators, all kinds of fish, and even got to pet a stingray. What fun. Very nice people working there, especially the ex-Marine selling the photographs. We all enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it.

Edie's eyes always spot the flower. — Edie’s eyes always spot the flower.

Edie almost wiping out while mounting the turtle.

Simulated waterfall, emphasizing how many waterfalls are in North Carolina.

Pretty woman and her daughter at a turtle crossing.

Touch a ray pool, hope that guy next to pretty woman isn't named Ray. — Touch a ray pool. Hope that guy next to pretty woman isn’t named Ray.

Lionfish, not native but from the Indian Ocean, they think freighters brought enough they are now breeding without predators. — Lionfish, not native, from the Indian Ocean. They think freighters brought enough they are now breeding without predators.

Interesting graphic on all the known shipwrecks.

We were getting hungry, so on the way home we stopped at Michelangelo’s Pizza. It’s really close to our home and in the same shopping center as Food Lion. Lexi and I got ravioli and Michael got a slice of cheese pizza and a salad. I know my food was good, and Lexi seemed to eat all of hers (so I suspect she liked it), and Michael said his was good.

Lex's ravioli with garlic knot. — Lex’s ravioli with garlic knot.

Lexi wanted to be dropped off at “home” so she could get ready for her date tonight. She met another guy on line (Plenty of Fish). A Marine from California, stationed near here. Hope he’s not a serial killer and is nice. This is the first one who is driving to meet her, normally she drives to see them. I like that he’s doing most of the work this time, and even wants to take her to dinner.

We dropped Lexi off and then continued on down the island to Fort Macon. It was much closer than I thought it would be (less than ten miles). On the way there we saw a cute little possum that looked lost. Hope it finds its mommy. We didn’t get to see the Fort, but we did get a good feel for the area with all the colorful houses. We just enjoyed the drive and the time with each other.

I am sure it is expensive. They seem to take it seriously.

Our building. — Looking back at our building.

Halfway to the beach a protected sitting area.

Also looking south/ — Also looking South.

Can't get used to cars on the beaches. — Can’t get used to cars on the beaches. Birds too.

Pelicans skimming the water looking for food. — Pelican skimming the water looking for food.

We are now home. Getting ready to pack up for the move tomorrow. That was our day. Hope yours was great!