As we drove up through the Eastern Shores (both Virginia's and Maryland's) on Sunday afternoon, we were struck by the cyclical nature of this gallavanting around the country thing. We left Maryland - via the same route - this exact time last year, maybe a day or two later. And here we were, riding through the bare corn fields, the irrigation systems stretching down the rows, with those classic Eastern Shore farm houses scattered along the way. We approached this return route like the tourists we have been since we left a year ago - seeing things through fresh eyes. And you know what? It was simply beautiful. Some of the most beautiful country we've seen. Of course it doesn't go on for hundreds of miles - there's patches of beauty and other patches of not-so-beauty, usually involving a strip mall and some cookie-cutter houses where soybeans used to wave. But the Land of Pleasant Living ranks right up there, I assure you. It remains a Special Place.
As does the Outer Banks of North Carolina. That was a really good way to end the trip. I've been spending time on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore for going on (ready for this Gwyn?) 37 years, when I was invited by my cousin to babysit her kids while the entire family spent their vacation in Hatteras at the Durant Motor Court. I was hooked, and barely a year has gone by since then when I have not returned at least once. Since 1997 (except of course this past year) Kevin and I have religiously booked a room at the Blue Heron Motel on Virginia Dare Road in Nags Head for Labor Day Week in September and spent our vacation like hundreds of thousands of others - at the Beach. (and BTW, we stopped at the Blue Heron the other day and booked our September room with them for this year) I just don't think the Atlantic looks better than it does on the North Carolina coast.
Our last few nights on the road we spent "motel camping". It was nice, I must confess. In Wilmington, of course, we planned it that way. But we really were going to camp at Cedar Island, and then take the ferry from there to Ocracoke Island the next morning. But, when we arrived at the Cedar Island campground, it was so dreary, and since it was just ten minutes 'til the next Ferry left, we said, "WeGo!!", and arrived in Ocracoke at 6:15PM. Of course there were no campgrounds open in Ocracoke. And of course the only Dog Friendly motel was also closed for the season. But the Blackbeard's Lodge manager took pity on us and let us crate Ruby in the Game Room and we had a place to sleep. We actually ended up crating the Rube in the Van, where we figured she was much more comfortable, and we could see it from our window, so we felt okay with that. She was fine. And we had all the comforts of a Motel.
And then of course in Nags Head there are still no campgrounds open, so, oh my, we have to stay at the Pet Friendly Travelodge. What can I say? By the time we got to Chincoteague we were afraid we wouldn't remember how to put the top up!! ha ha! But honestly, it was kind of nice to do a little motel camping there at the end, sort of like a little vacation...from vacation.
And so we arrived home - after a wonderful weekend camping with "the neighbors" on Chincoteague Island - and life continues. It is good to be home. We have had a most wonderful adventure and the memories will keep popping up - probably at inopportune moments - to remind us that once we were travelers. We are so lucky to have had this opportunity. And we are so lucky that we are still married!! ha ha again!
Anyway, I'll try to do a few pictures here from the Kitchen Counter. But there will be one more Blog following this one that will include the Top Ten List as well as the WeGo Best and Worst and Most Whatever list. So pay attention. And then this Blog - WeGo - shall float around the atmosphere forever I guess. And the next Blog will begin.
Thanks for listening. WeWent.
