Just like we did with Zahara, we went on a family road trip a few weeks after Asher was born. Some people think we are crazy to travel for more than a week with our three-week-old baby and three year old. But, our thought is that the baby will be eating, sleeping, and crying anywhere so why not be somewhere fun? For us, that was Outer Banks, North Carolina.
I've heard about Outer Banks for years, but have never been. This stretch of white, sandy beaches on the North Carolina shore is known for its laid-back attitude and has a cult-like following--you may have seen the OBX bumper stickers. The reason I haven't gone before is that it is kind of hard to get to. From our house it is a 5-10 hour drive depending on traffic.
We had a fantastic time! We rented a cottage by the beach which worked out perfectly. It was absolutely adorable and everything you think when you hear beach cottage. Wainscoting, seashell decor, a mermaid theme. The best parts were having our own kitchen and being steps from the beach. It was great to walk to the beach with our lunch and snacks. Unlike other east coast beaches (like Ocean City or Atlantic City), OBX beaches don't have boardwalks with restaurants and shops. There are a few restaurants scattered on the beach, but you're better off bringing your own food.
We stayed in Nags Head, but explored Carolla, Duck, and Kitty Hawk as well. Here are some of the highlights:
Beach Days
For sure this was the highlight. The beach by our house was lovely. Perfect sand, gorgeous, warm water. The only complaint is that the waves were pretty rough.
Sunrises:
Once again proving I hit the jackpot when I married Dan, every morning he would take Asher for a long walk while I got an hour or two of sleep. At least he was rewarded with great views.
Ice Cream:
We went full Rome Rules on this vacation and had ice cream every day. I regret nothing. My favorite places were Scoop's and Kill Devil's. Scoop's has tons of delicious homemade flavors like banana pudding and amaretto. Kill Devil's has a more limited selection of just three frozen custard flavors (chocolate, vanilla, and a flavor of the day), but the chocolate was out of this world.
The Sights
There isn't too much to see on the island, but we really enjoyed a couple of things in particular. Jockey's Ridge, the largest sand dunes on the east cost, was right near our house and well worth a visit. Following advice we read online, we went in the evening when the sand wasn't so hot. We had a great time running and rolling in the soft sand.
The town of Corolla was also great to see. The town is most well-known for its population of wild horses that is only accessible using a 4x4 to cross the unpaved beach. We weren't able to see the horses, but we saw the wetlands and the cute little shops. We really liked the Juice Jar's acai bowls. So fresh and delicious.
It was a great vacation and a fun way to start our life as a family of four. I can't wait for our next vacation!
I've heard about Outer Banks for years, but have never been. This stretch of white, sandy beaches on the North Carolina shore is known for its laid-back attitude and has a cult-like following--you may have seen the OBX bumper stickers. The reason I haven't gone before is that it is kind of hard to get to. From our house it is a 5-10 hour drive depending on traffic.
Beach Days
For sure this was the highlight. The beach by our house was lovely. Perfect sand, gorgeous, warm water. The only complaint is that the waves were pretty rough.
Sunrises:
Once again proving I hit the jackpot when I married Dan, every morning he would take Asher for a long walk while I got an hour or two of sleep. At least he was rewarded with great views.
Ice Cream:
There isn't too much to see on the island, but we really enjoyed a couple of things in particular. Jockey's Ridge, the largest sand dunes on the east cost, was right near our house and well worth a visit. Following advice we read online, we went in the evening when the sand wasn't so hot. We had a great time running and rolling in the soft sand.
The town of Corolla was also great to see. The town is most well-known for its population of wild horses that is only accessible using a 4x4 to cross the unpaved beach. We weren't able to see the horses, but we saw the wetlands and the cute little shops. We really liked the Juice Jar's acai bowls. So fresh and delicious.
It was a great vacation and a fun way to start our life as a family of four. I can't wait for our next vacation!
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