The following illustration can pretty much sum up my experience on our first family beach trip to Outer Banks, NC…
Ok, ok, it didn’t quite go like that, but it was an experience all its own. This past weekend, we gathered the kids for our first beach vacation as a family of four to the beautiful Outer Banks, NC! This was my first time going and I learned that my hubby had been once before during college for a bird watching class. (I swear, after 12 years with this man, I’m still always learning new things!) Anyway, our first instance of delusion was when we looked at the Mapquest directions which quoted a 9 hour drive and my hubby so innocently says, “I can get us there in 8!” How cute was that? Little did we know that we would stop at damn near every rest stop and it would actually take us a whopping 12 and a half hours!
Wrong!
She cried from the moment her toes hit the sand! We’d never actually taken her to a real beach before, just the man-made ones, not to mention it was the hottest day in the year, so I figured the sand was too hot for her. I picked up and walked her to the water where I was sure she would just have a blast right?
So, other than that initial not so pleasant beach experience, we really enjoyed the Outer Banks. I thought it was delightfully quirky and cool. Definitely some place I can see myself in my retirement years. We didn’t get to do as much sightseeing as I would’ve liked, but we did get a chance to visit is the largest natural sand dune on the east coast at Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head. On a side note, I thought I had to be the biggest idiot in the world when I realized that those OBX stickers I’d always seen on people’s cars actually stood for Outer Banks! So…guess what my # 1 souvenir was…
Here are some more shots of the quirkiness I loved and just had to share…
We haven’t been to the Outer Banks yet but really want to go! Traveling with kids definitely has it’s highs and lows!
oooh, a 12 hour car ride should take you somewhere magical! We have only been to Charlotte, NC and need to branch out. Thanks for sharing!
This was hilarious! And also cute…Sorry but I think anything Leila does is cute. Lol I’ve never heard of Outer Banks but I’m craving a real beach so maybe we’ll give that one a try.
Thank you for my laugh. I really appreciate it. That was truly hilarious. My husband wants to visit North Carolina but hasn’t decided on a beach. I am definitely going to suggest this one. Hopefully we can go soon.
The same thing happened to us when we brought our two-year-old nephew, Brad, to the beach few weeks back. No amount of talking can convince him to join us in the water. Anyway, we can always try again. I am sure Brad will eventually learn to love the beach as much as we do. 🙂
Funny!
Leila definitely has leadership skills. 🙂
This post is the equivalent of one of those photos. You know the kind that make you go: “Awww” 😉
It’s always an adventure when the kids are around, lol. We would always get crazy in the car for the smallest things. But it’s still worth it once you see them so happy with the place you went to.
Oh my goodness. I usually thought that our vacations with our kids were better later when I looked back at them rather in the moment of tired, frustrated, crying kids. Thanks for the laugh though.
Yes, we can definitely look back at that and laugh, though it sure wasn’t as funny at the time!
You survived it. Still laughing about this. Kids make a grocery trip adventurous. Glad you managed to have a good time. It’s the kind of thing kids remember forever!
It turned out to be a great trip! We’re planning on going back next year for our family reunion.
My brother and SIL took a family trip to the Outer Banks a few years ago and have been going back every year since. They love it there and one of these days I’ll get my family there too (so we can check out some of the quirkiness!) lol
Traveling with kids is crazy fun. Been there, done that. 🙂
I’m so glad you had fun trip! I’d also like to visit beach soon this summer.
Looks like you had an awesome day, I wanted to go in the beach this week and I’m so excited.
Such a funny illustration to start with that explains the reality of a trip that we make with our kids. You get to experience lots of fun & adventures when you have kids with you on a road trip & I think all you need is some patience to enjoy it.
Wonderful story! Took my two boys there a long time ago. Love the signs!
Such a fun little area. I can’t wait to go back!