Ocracoke, NC

The day after the Brew-A-Que, Kevin and I headed for the coast.  This time, Ocracoke.  The main reason for the trip was to see the Ocracoke Lighthouse...and not just see it.  They don't let anyone climb it anymore, but they do open it up one day a year for people to peek inside.  That day is the 4th of July and this trip was planned solely for that opportunity.  Our last NC lighthouse!

Ocracoke is tough to get to!  You must travel by ferry and there are basically three options: 1. Drive down through Nags Head to Hatteras and take the 60min. ferry over.  2. Drive to Cedar Island and take a 2hr. 15min. ferry.  3. Drive to Swan Quarter and take the 2hr. 40min. ferry over.  A little-known fact about Kevin, he HATES driving.  He'd rather take a train, ferry, boat, bus, plane, than drive...even if it takes longer.  In this situation, we drove to Swan Quarter and took the longest ferry ride of all to get to Ocracoke.  This made him happy as a clam!

And even that was tricky!  We purchased tickets on the way (fail...because you can't purchase same day tickets...they were for the next day- unbeknownst to us), so even though we arrived in time to get on the ferry, we had to wait in a holding line for everyone who had purchased the correct tickets to get on before us and only if they had room would we be allowed on.  This was stressful since we made it to Swan Quarter in time, but would have to wait 3 hours for the next ferry if we missed it.  And finally, we were allowed on, but just by the skin of our teeth...there was room for maybe a car or two.

When we arrived, we checked into our B&B- Crews Inn Bed & Breakfast and set off to explore. 

We walked to the lighthouse and made a loop on Lighthouse Road before getting ice cream and driving up to see the wild ponies.  We had dinner at Howard's Pub the first night.

Day two was all about Portsmouth Island.  Portsmouth is an abandoned island and tours take you to the old abandoned village before you get on dune buggie/4 wheelers to explore the coastline. 

This was NOT ideal for a pregnant lady and I really felt like we'd jostled the mess out of Baby B by the time we returned to Ocracoke.  Between the boat ride there and back and the crazy bumps we hit on the 4X4s, it was not an ideal situation.  But, our guide was awesome and it was pretty neat to see this ghost island!

We had walking tacos for lunch back on Ocracoke and then spent some time at a coffee shop working before exploring a bit in the artisan village and checking out the British Cemetery.

That evening was the town square dance which we followed up with ice cream and fireworks.

Ocracoke does the 4th of July right!  They have a whole list of events to be part of and we woke up the next morning eager to get going!  First was to see the newest colt of the wild ponies (Jobelle).

We left there to get breakfast back at the Inn and missed the boy scouts flag raising...but we were just in time to be near the front of the line for the viewing of the Ocracoke Lighthouse.  This is what we came for!

It was SOOO hot out, so after seeing the lighthouse, we walked over to Springer's Point and sat in the shade for a bit.  This is the spot Blackbeard is said to have had all of his pirate parties...and some say his head is down an old well on the path to the beach.

We went to get lunch and then found a great spot on the street for the annual 4th of July Parade.  Amazing!

That evening was storytelling outside of the bookstore and then we drove out to the beach to see the sandcastle competition entries.  We were going to stay for the bonfire, but it wasn't dark yet and we were hungry.

The next day we started at Springer's Point where I found ALL of the sea glass (some was from Blackbeard's boat, I just know it!).  Then we went to Teach's Hole to learn all things Blackbeard/Pirate.

We got ice cream that afternoon and went to the Ocracoke Preservation Society before dinner at the Flying Melon.

The next morning, it was time to trek back home.  We were up at 4:30am to get the Hatteras ferry.  We chose this way to go home because I really wanted an Apple Ugly from the Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe.  Priorities!

Vacations are always a great time to relax!  We've seen all of the NC lighthouses now...we'll just have to wait until Baby B is old enough and do them all over again!

The 1st Ever, 8th Annual American Brew-A-Que

How we made it to the 8th year, I'll never know!

This year's Brew-A-Que was a little different in that we didn't have a brewery portion like most years.  I tried, but there were no breweries open that 1-we hadn't already visited and 2-that could even accommodate us later in the weekend or an adjacent weekend.  Plus there were 4 pregnant chicks, so we just cancelled out that part.

We hung out.

Ate all the food.

Started up the annual cornhole tournament with the Golden Hole up for grabs.

Sand Baggin' won.  The first time a previous year's (year 4) winner has taken home the golden hole.

We LOVE the Brew-A-Que, but I don't know how it will look next year with a little one.  We may have to move locations or take a year off.  Suggestions?

Travel-Baltimore

The weekend after our Memorial Day mountain trip, Kevin and I drove up to Baltimore on a Thursday night to spend the weekend up there.  His dad was in Baltimore with a Vermont kid's baseball team and we were able to tag along on all of their adventures.  It was a jam-packed weekend, but we did some things I haven't done on previous visits which has encouraged me to write a travel post for Baltimore.  It's a pretty cool city and one you should check out if you haven't!

Things to do:
Edgar Allan Poe- Poe was born in Boston, but died in Baltimore.  His house and museum are in Baltimore as well as his grave.  For any "Raven" fans (not football), both of these sites are must sees.

Inner Harbor- The Inner Harbor is a great spot to visit.  You can dine and people watch, paddle boat, walk around, etc.  With our love of lighthouses, Kevin and I always make our way over to the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse.  The National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center hug the banks of the Inner Harbor as well, though I've never been to either.

Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum- My love of Babe Ruth started in 3rd grade when I researched him for a project and dressed up as him to present in class.  He was born in Baltimore and got his start in baseball here with the Orioles minor-league team in 1914 before going to the Red Sox.  If you're into baseball at all, you must stop by the Birthplace and Museum!

Fort McHenry- Best known for it's role in the War of 1812 when it defended the Baltimore Harbor from attack by the British Navy, it's also the spot where Francis Scott Key spotted the victorious garrison flag after a night of fighting and penned a poem now known as the Star Spangled Banner, our national anthem.  The fort is pretty awesome and the museum does a great job of depicting what that battle would have looked like.  This is an awesome spot to visit in Baltimore.

Baltimore Orioles- You can't go to Baltimore and not catch an Orioles game (unless they're not in season, I guess).  This is one of my favorite parks in part because of the awesome tour we got to go on this past visit.  There are so many elements here that pay tribute to other parks around the country.  You can't go wrong with baseball, popcorn and ice cream!  The Warehouse building that faces the park is the longest building on the east coast and adds to the charm of the park.  Thank goodness they didn't tear down this old railroad hub!

Baltimore Basilica- I never would have visited this if we weren't with a Catholic group.  Yes, we travel to ALL OF THE CHURCHES in Europe, but I don't even think to check out churches here in the states.  The Baltimore Basilica is America's First Cathedral and it is gorgeous!  Go for Mass or drop in just to admire it's beauty!

The Baltimore Museum of Art- If you're a fan of museums, this is a great stop!  My favorite parts were the outdoor sculptures and the modern art sections.  They do have some classics.

Other highlights: Federal Hill Park for great views of the Inner Harbor, Baltimore Phoenix Shot Tower,

Washington Monument (nope the one in DC is not the only one),

The Flag House and Star Spangled Banner Museum.

Where to stay:
Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel- now Radisson Hotel Baltimore- This is the spot Kevin and I stayed when we first visited Baltimore about 8 years ago.  It's a great central location for easy walking to the Inner Harbor and around downtown.  Not sure how it's doing as a Radisson, but the Sheraton was great.

Hayatt Place Baltimore/BWI Airport Hotel- Our most recent stay was here.  The rooms are great and even though it's a little drive from downtown Baltimore, I really enjoyed being here!

What to eat:
It's really difficult to remember where we ate 8 years ago, but most of our meals were down at the Inner Harbor.  There are some great seafood restaurants and then the usual chains like Cheesecake Factory.
Visit Little Italy just east of the Inner Harbor.  The restaurants are authentic and the food is delicious!
Baltimore is all about crab cakes, old bay seasoning, crab soup, and Chesapeake fries.  Indulge!

So, what are you waiting for?  Get on over to Charm City, explore and have a great time!