For my 30th birthday, (and for John's birthday and our anniversary and Christmas presents) we went to Avon, NC in the Outer Banks. There were several "incidents" on our trip, but we had a good time anyway. As we were about to cross the bridge to the OBX we heard on the radio that hwy 12 was closed in Rodanthe due to flooding from the ocean waves. That was the only road to Avon. We quickly tried to find another route and were told that the only other way to get there was by ferry. The ferry only ran twice a day...10am and 5pm. It was about 10am when we learned this, and the ferry dock was 1.5 hours away. The 5pm ferry was a little late (and quite rocky by the end of the trip) so we missed the next ferry to Hatteras and had to wait about an hour for it. Instead of getting to the house at about 10:30am, we got there at 10:15pm...what a day. At least we got to see the sunset on the ferry.
The second night we were there we tried to turn on the gas fireplace. I found a remote with a fire symbol and thought that might turn it on. It didn't...it set off the fire alarm. After 10 minutes we found the code, but the firetruck was already heading down the street. That was the least fun part of the trip.
The waves at the beach were incredible. They were huge and continuous and there were rows of them far out into the ocean. We sat and watched them for a long time.
Here are a few photos from the trip. There are a lot more photos in the photo album on the right column. The first one is John's favorite picture.
sunset at the beginning of the 1st ferry ride
walking onto the beach
fun with shadows
a lot of fun with shadows
We took so many pictures, but couldn't get the perfect wave
Oops, I forgot to tell him the water was coming
Some big waves
Hatteras lighthouse
Back of the beachouse overlooking the Sound (John is on the top deck)
On the deck enjoying the sunset over the Sound
A & C on Christmas day
A & C meeting their new cousin "smiling" Meredith
All of the cousins
Caleb loved his fireman suit from Tia Tricia and Uncle Doug
Caleb is excited about his "big boy" carseat
Daddy brought home some flowers for Annelise
Showing off some more Christmas presents--Dr. coat and cute animals made by my grandmother
FINALLY, it snowed and John took the kids sledding
A & C sleeping in the closet at the beach in July. They had such a great time.
My favorite part of the trip!
The four cousins...before Meredith.
Playing withDoodad
Piling on top of Tia Tricia
Picking Blackberries and Raspberries near our house
Annelise's 5th birthday
Caleb LOVES mowing with Daddy
And by himself
sunset at the beginning of the 1st ferry ride
walking onto the beach
fun with shadows
a lot of fun with shadows
We took so many pictures, but couldn't get the perfect wave
Oops, I forgot to tell him the water was coming
Some big waves
Hatteras lighthouse
Back of the beachouse overlooking the Sound (John is on the top deck)
On the deck enjoying the sunset over the Sound
Cave of the Winds- walking around the base of the falls, lots of spray and cold water running over our feet. 
Caleb is smiling because he is no longer in the spray from the waterfall (river going away from falls)
Observation Tower
View from Observation Tower
View from the Maid of the Mist
On the Maid of the Mist boat ride
First time seeing the falls
Camping the night before we reached Niagara Falls, NY
This is the house that my dad grew up in
street vendor
dusk at park across from apt
daytime looking other direction
sea lions at Pucusana
lady at a restaurant cooking chicharrones (pork)
sand dune mountains
"friar" preparing to jump into water as suicide reinactment
ceviche, ocopa, papa a la huancaina
yucca, empanadas, lots of other yummy stuff
These cacti were all over the city. They were beautiful.
view across cove from the apartment
