The Pre-Dawn Hours & My Premier This Friday

Vacation: Day 13

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

One last note about Tuesday ..... after Jen & I returned to Lightship, we all went out to dinner at the Shrimp Shack. Last year, the Shrimp Shack was our dining preference for lunch & dinner. Their fried shrimp was incredible, the pulled pork delicious .... well, everything was just very good! They did not disappoint us this year. Once again the food and service was excellent, although the shrimp seemed to be a bit smaller and a little crustier. I don't want to say that Alexa makes an impression on people, but ...... The owner came to our table and talked with us. She remembered Alexa from last year! Too funny!

We awakened Wednesday to another gloriously sunny day. The Weather Channel assured us that blue skies, a good wind and warm temps were in store for us until Thursday. Since Dawn was arriving in Hatteras today, I was glad to see she'd have good traveling weather.

Dawn & I had never met face to face, and had only spoken on the phone twice. I made her aquaintance via the Outer Banks Connection. I always enjoyed Dawn's posts & photos ..... she seemed very kind and very sweet. I had been helping her with her family tree - talk about an old Outer Banks heritage! She's a direct descendant of the Midyett, Pugh, Daniels, Etheridge families who settled in the Bodie Island and Chicamacomico area in the very early 1700's. If you've ever visited the Outer Banks, you are sure to have heard those names! (And, to think ..... she didn't have a clue about her roots!) Her family has always been involved in the fishing industry .... if not fishermen, oystermen or crabmen, then boat builders.

When I realized that there would be an empty bedroom the last 5 days in Hatteras, I invited Dawn to come for a visit. As the crow flies, she lives about 40 miles from Ocracoke. But, as the car drives, it's 200 miles to the same place. That's crazy. She planned on arriving later that afternoon.

Levi and Alexa wanted to return to the beach. The surf action had abated, so they were able to play in the water more. This pic of Alexa reminds me of some little pagan goddess offering up prayers to the ocean. You can tell, she loves the beach.

Alexa confided to Jeff that this day was the very best day of her life.

After some quality beach time, it was back to the cottage to prepare for Dawn's arrival.

To be continued .......

This weekend will be the tree lighting ceremony in Manteo. It is also the premier of the Christmas Greetings video that Melody shot this fall, starring yours truly, Dawn, Steph, Ish and Will. Can't wait to see that.