22 Jul Our Outer Banks Trip Part I

Hello friends!

Back from the beach and we had a blast!

I’ll be sharing a Part 1 and Part 2 of our trip this week to the Outer Banks, in North Carolina.

Well, we got back midweek last week from our trip, my body felt a bit broken from all of the travel, but I had the rest of the week and PT to recuperate. I don’t like to perseverate on things, but traveling is tough with EDS. I do my best, though and look forward to the change of scenery,  spending time at the beach and at our Bed and Breakfast.

The day we left,   we got there earlier in the evening, as it takes us about 5.5 hours plus stops to our location, The Island House of Wanchese. It is pronounced ( Wan-Cheese) not Wan( chasay) like we first pronounced it and was corrected. I remember it now, as my mom told me to think ” I want cheese or “wine and cheese”. That”s easy!

Island House of Wanchese- Bed and Breakfast

We checked in with the puppies and to say The Island House is dog-friendly is an understatement. Jean, the very hospitable owner, is also a breeder of Bichons, Havaschons, ( Bichons and Havanese) and Westies. That’s the business that makes the Island House possible.

We had the suite, which included the jacuzzi tub, and privacy, as we brought our dogs, as we weren’t close to the other rooms. I am a happy camper when there is a tub involved!

I would recommend this lovely place to anyone visiting the Outer Banks. I love her outdoor garden, hospitality and the rooms are lovely as well.

Jean and Bernie, her assistant there at the house where very welcoming and we enjoyed both the conversation with our guests, many of whom were teachers and the alternating breakfasts of eggs and sweet fare.

Jean knew how much I love dogs and brought out the sweetest little Havaschon pups the day before we left. One little girl, already claimed was 2 pounds, white and black and just the sweetest little face. ,I was in my element.

Manteo- Dinner

We drove into Manteo, a quick drive into a town with history and charm.

” The area is home to one of the world’s greatest mysteries, the birthplace of English colonization in American, (literally), and a collection of Outer Banks attractions that have wowed vacationers for generations.” This is the area of The Lost Colony. We enjoyed just walking around the small shops and exploring the area.

We ate at the Avenue Waterfront Grill, and it was wonderful. A salt and pepper singer, more salt than pepper, was playing guitar and singing along with a keyboard player outside for our enjoyment. We chatted during the break about our musical background and that my boy, Gibson was named after my guitar. Great music and excellent seafood! Did I mention I could eat seafood every day of the week? I had Tile Fish blackened tacos which were a bit spicy, but oh so good, complete with my white wine of choice lately, a glass of Savignon Blanc. Hubby ate a dish of Tilefish, a flaky thick white fish, ( that has a delicate, sweet flavor) potatoes and roasted green beans completed his meal and beer. He’s the beer guy.. Ill stick to my wine!

My Amazing TileFish Tacos

Nags Head Beach

The next day, we were off to Nags Heads, about a 15 min drive from our BnB. The ocean was beautiful and not crowded, we took our dome-shaped canopy which would protect us from the hot sun. We fit our two beach chairs under the shelter and I enjoyed reading “Then She Was Gone, ” finishing the book this week on the beach. Great story! We alternated between walking on the beach, reading, and using my board in the ocean. Woowee, the water was cold! I have always been a fan of water. We also put our chairs as the tide came in and would get washed by the salty waves. We had a great time.

I love our set up!

The motorized parasail on the left would fly back and forth and change height. Looked like fun!

Elizabethan Gardens

According to their site- “We are dedicated to preserving the beauty and tranquility of The Elizabethan Gardens as a tribute to the first English colonists in the New World at the site of the original settlement. We seek to create inspirational garden displays and provide educational opportunities that encourage an appreciation of the art of gardening. We are committed to sharing our unique history, continually improving The Gardens, enhancing the quality of the visitors’ experience, and being good stewards of The Gardens.”

We wanted to see the acres of gardens and get inspired as I am working on building my mini garden at home. It was a casual walk through and funny, as we paid for the tickets, we were told it would be $3 a dog.

I have never been charged for my pups before, but I thought perhaps it was that if a doggy peed on a plant and they had to replace it, they were recouping their losses?  Well, that kinda made sense.

The Gardens were beautiful, I loved the style of the Elizabethan Gardens with squares of bushes and flowers, statues and a Butterfly garden at the end of the walk. It was a great way to spend part of the day.

Stop by tomorrow when I talk about PART II of our trip and TURNING HEADS TUESDAY!

Have a great day!

Jess xx