Passing Time, May 6 - 20, 2022

 The trip to the Outer Banks did happen, and my aunt also passed away. I'm still away at my mom's place and longing for home. 

First, the Outer Banks. We arrived just hours ahead of what would be called "an unnamed coastal storm." From Sunday to Thursday the coast was lashed with gale force winds, rain, and coastal flooding from super high tides. That was the first time I realized that there are times you really can't walk on the beach. At high tide, the beach completely disappeared and the waves battered the dunes and washed some of them away along with stairs and fencing and even a couple of beach houses.  The wind was bearable a few streets in, so I averaged walking 7-9 miles per day down the road into a small forest reserve and along the Sound. Then a stop at a bakery for coffee and a treat, followed by a soak in the hot tub. We did get out for some delicious seafood dinners, an aquarium, and an art shop that had a great rock display. We played games, read books, and laughed about the absolute worst weather any of us had ever experienced on a vacation.

The day we arrived and noted the beach was much narrower than normal. If we only knew...

Sunday morning and the surf was rough and the beach a bit smaller.

Panorama shot of the unrelenting surf.

At the aquarium.

I loved the colors of this lobster.

The invasive and destructive lionfish.

Mesmerizing jellyfish.

I  can't remember what lighthouse this was. 

The boardwalk at the nature reserve - our daily destination. The winds did not penetrate the trees.

Echo, the golden retriever, ran to me and showered me with doggy affection.

The winds battered the coast for 5 straight days. The result was eroded dunes and ruined stairs. The house we rented was one of the few with no damage to the stairs. Most were unusable.

Our daily happy hour in the hot tub despite the weather. What's a little sand in your drink?

Lyne and me at the forest reserve. This is how we dressed most days as it rarely got warmer than 60 degrees. Meanwhile, back in NY the weather was in the 80's and sunny.

Live oaks at the town park.

The lovely WhaleHead Club.

A water snake that did not fare well in some kind of encounter. It was alive, but its head seemed damaged. Hopefully one of the many osprey dispatched the poor thing rather soon after we left.

Just about the only shot of color the whole week.

I spent 15 minutes watching this crab excavate a home while I drank an appropriate White Claw.

Our last day was fine enough for a bike ride down to the horse beach. We were not disappointed. The "Unnamed Storm" was still visible off the coast. We named her Ursula, the sea witch from The Little Mermaid. I actually made 3 seven mile rides to this beach. The 1st was interrupted by a thunderstorm (of course!), the second by needing to return the key as Susan was locked out, and the final successful horse sighting.

Meanwhile, back in my hometown, my siblings took care of all the arrangements for my Aunt's funeral. I had spent most of April driving back and forth, dealing with medical appts, hospital and nursing home arrangements, and I desperately needed a break. So they all handled things as Auntie laid out in her plan. 

As expected with any passing, emotions are high and family drama is inevitable. Luckily there are enough of us that have learned not to engage in the drama, and get things done. I just try to accomplish tasks assigned to me, and be the optimist and peacemaker that is the usual role of the middle child. I'll head back there later this week to help with clearing out her house, and spending time with my mom. Mom continues to delight in beating me regularly at Scrabble and Dominoes.