OBX is a loooong way from Alabama!

For the past month or so, our family has been looking forward to spending some time on the river. My husband and I both grew up camping and swimming there, and now our kids love it, too. Unfortunately, when vacation time rolled around, the river was out of its banks - flooded - and no good for fun.

So we started considering other options for fun family time.

• Atlanta - Stone Mountain, Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo, Museum of Natural History, White Water . . . . tons of things to do!
• Chattanooga - Aquarium, Zoo, Ruby Falls, Rock City, Incline Railway, Caverns . . . also lots to do.
• Jellystone Campground - Water play for the kids, relaxation for the parents.

Those were our leading contenders. They were all good options, but they all had the same big drawback - the forecast! Rain, rain, and more rain - all with a chance of storms. =(  Close to home was just not going to be an option. We asked the kids what they wanted to do, and both wanted to go camping or go to the beach. So with the clock ticking down the hours to departure time, we decided on our destination . . . .

I honestly thought we were out of our minds, setting off on an overnight drive with the hope that we would find a campsite in the Outer Banks on Memorial Day weekend. Let me tell you, it was a LOOOONG drive, but my sweetie was up to the task. I mostly just talked to him (something I'm very good at!) to keep him awake.

We arrived mid-morning Friday and began the campsite hunt with a stop at the NPS office (I think that's what it is?) to talk with a ranger. He advised me that the Oregon Inlet campground was most centrally located, so we headed that way . . . and found a CAMPGROUND FULL sign on the door. I went in anyway, and found that some campers had just checked out - they had the perfect place for us!

Our oceanfront property at Oregon Inlet 

The wind put a whoopin' on our tent!

We had an amazing time! There is so much to see and do in this area.

Ready for our Jeep tour!

The beach was absolutely beautiful out past the end of the road. I would've never guessed that there was an entire community miles beyond where the road ends - they have to drive on the beach to get to their houses!

wild horse

The lighthouses are soooo pretty! 

We didn't get to see Bodie - it was undergoing some maintenance.

Ready to climb the lighthouse!

Logan loved the Wright Brothers memorial! He studied about them in school this year.

On our way back home, we took the ferry to Ocracoke Island, and then on to Cedar Island to get back to the mainland. The 30-minute ride to Ocracoke was fun, but the 2.5 hour ride to Cedar Island was a bit much!

The beaches on the Outer Banks were absolutely beautiful! 

No high-rise condos & hotels like we have on the Gulf.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

We didn't have much time in Ocracoke, but it was so pretty!

We had such a good time on this trip - and the kids got both camping and the beach! =) 

I am so incredibly thankful for this little family that God has blessed us with, and for this time away together. What a way to start the summer!