Back in Buxton

I don't want to write this because it means i'm back from the incredible vacation that I was blessed with. But i've got so many memories internalized, and i'm really happy I can share.

As you've seen, the beginning was rough, to say the least. But throughout our vacation, we just decided that it didn't count, and that we were going to say it had nothing to do with our vacation.

Because it didn't. While humbling, and an important part of our trip, our VACATION didn't start until Sunday, where started off our road trip with a prayer.

Dyllon prayed for us to be safe, everything to go off without a hitch and for us to remain grateful to His mercy.

And that's exactly what happened.

Our road trip was smooth, full of alphabet game, 20 questions, and excited screams.

(sometimes a little too loudly from the back seat, like when we hit HWY 12, making me jump out of my skin)

Night one ended in sleep pretty quickly, but the next morning the blessings were abundant as I looked over our sundeck, and around me.

The air was slightly cool & heavy. I was so distracted by my view, I let my coffee get cold, sitting on the rail. We did so many things on our first day, it felt like the entire week had gone by.

We went to the lighthouse early in the morning, first thing.

It's all I wanted to see from the moment I woke up, and boy was it as completely breathtaking as I had hoped.

The first thing I wanted to do see & find first was the site of lighthouse before it was transported back in 1999. I remembered discovering it about 10 years ago, with my Dad. In addition to seeing such a historic site, we also figured out that MANY of the lighthouse keepers of Hatteras were relatives of ours. Fulchers.

So we hunted for a total of 2.2 miles worth of walking and followed every map and path I could find, and they were nowhere to be find. I felt like I completely lost my mind. I KNEW they were there. 

I made the boys walk a lot and their baby feet couldn't withstand the test of beach asphalt & sand spurs combined.

But Dyllons feet seemed to handle the pavement a little better than Jacob.

I turned around to see this laughable sight :)

We just gave up, after ending up hot & tired, and went over to the actual lighthouse, and dang it.

They were right there. REALLY! Come on guys, at least put out a memo that they're moved.

But I was so happy to see them I got over that pretty quickly. 

The lighthouse is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I have such an attachment to it, and the message behind a lighthouse. A light in the darkness, a beacon of hope when you don't know your path. I guess that's the connection. Not to mention Hatteras is where my husbands heart lives. I see it so clearly when we're there and it warms my heart. 

We spent the rest of our day making the most of everything. 

Eating delicious lunch at a local shop, The Buxton Munch, where I enjoyed the most incredible crab i've ever eaten.. Along with a comforting atmosphere where everyone's laughing and no one cares if you're barefoot. 

We went back later in the week, it was that good.

Later in the day once we were back at the house the boys tested the waters of the sound only to see the water was only about waist deep for a half mile out, along with discovering sharp clam shells, dead crabs & lack of substantial fish.

As if we weren't doing packing enough things into this one day, Jacob snapped a few photos of Dyllon and I on the beach, our first photoshoot together since around the time we got married.

It's obvious I was very happy about this. 

& Dyllon didn't seem to mind either, which was even better.

Everything about these photos make me happy.

Not to mention Jacobs incredible display of talent. 

On our drive home, the sky REALLY started showing off. 

And I've seen/chased many sunsets in my day. I was sure it would be over once we got back to the house.

I was wrong. 

The sun reflected off the water so brightly it was almost blinding. The water glowed such a bright color. It was so breathtaking all we could do was stare at it. 

Not to mention it was the perfect gift for us to end the first day.

Day 2 started with a beautiful breakfast, because pretty food is my husbands favorite thing to prepare in the morning.

It's definitely a blessing that I take for granted.

We spent half the day at the beach, taking full advantage of the beautiful sun, and beautiful beach.

With the lighthouse close by, like it would be all week.

Speaking of the lighthouse, we were fortunate enough to climb it that evening. 

Which definitely be proved to be more challenging than originally planned, but fully worth it, and a check off of the bucket list. 

Shaky legs are the only thing that made me question if it was worth it. The stairs were killer!

Sunburn showed up quickly when we all decided to take naps. 

Surprise surprise. 

Nothing a little after sun lotion can't fix.. or at least cool down. 

The third day was completely cloudy, but something I learned for this trip was to make the best of all situations. So we did. 

The guys dug a "sand couch".

One thing that really captured my mind while in the ocean on this day was the power of it. The waves so tall, they can take you without asking your permission. 

I started thinking about God. And how much I see Him in the ocean.

If you've got enough courage, you can be swept away. The loss of control can be beautiful. 

It really opened my eyes.

But then salt water got in them. 

So they burned a while, haha.

Day Four started early with trip to the Orange Blossom, where they sell these huge masses of dough smashed full with cinnamon apples. Apparently it's a thing, and Dyllon informed me as soon as I saw them that they're called "Apple Uglies".

Too sweet for me but the taste of nostalgia for the boys.

I've never seen someone so happy to see sweets. 

Next stop was the Dancing Turtle Coffee Shop, where I got to taste the best Almond Milk Latte, and experience such a cool environment, full of colorful decor and bright friendly people. 

 Thursday I felt like a local. It made me happy.

We spent the evening on the dock in front of the house, and got to see another incredible sunset. 

Day 5 and the day before we leave. 

We were all over the place. 

Kinda felt like we didn't sit still for a minute. 

We went swimming in the morning, and swam for almost 2 hours in the beautiful crystal clear ocean.

I have never felt so thankful.

The sun shining through the water, and on my face.

Everything about me wanted to stay there.

We captured the ocean in a jar for a friend.

We FINALLY went for a run and it felt amazing. 

Humid.

But amazing, that's for sure. All the junk food and napping, really had me feeling.

Fat, to put it plainly.

So after our run, I already felt better.

After running, we went hunting for Father's Day gifts for our awesome dads.

We were mildly successful, and my gift for my dad included another trip to the beach. 

So we hunted for shells and the wind was blowing the sand so much that it stung when it hit my legs.

And once we got back to our house,  we sat out on the dock, like we tended to do, and tried not to get bitten by mosquitos. We also snapped a few photos with the self timer and I ended up really liking them.

I was sure that there was not going to be a sunset for the books, and boy was I wrong.

Hatteras, you do not disappoint with your farewells. 

Our last day we rose early and stopped in the Dancing Turtle one last time before we hopped on two ferries. One from Hatteras to Ocracoke, and one from Ocracoke to Cedar Island.

3 hours of ferry rides total. 

We saw a one legged sea gull, and got to see some of the USCG in action, which was cool for me to see. Dyllon didn't mind either. 

The whole purpose of our two ferry rides was to visit my favorite place in the world.

Beaufort.

(even though, after this trip, I think my new favorite place in the world might be Buxton)

But Beaufort was beautiful as ever. We had lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe which is one of my favorite and most comforting atmospheres. Every waitress is always so friendly and helpful & you're basically right there on the dock. Everything about it feels like summer, and the food is fresh and delicious. 

If you're ever in Beaufort, I highly recommend. 

Another thing I recommend if you ever visit Beaufort is to just walk around. Look at everything, and smile at people. I don't know what it is about that place, but being there always makes me feel gratitude. I also feel like I need to take photos of everything, which isn't something new. 

I suppose this is where i'll end this. 

I know it's a lot, but I really wanted to keep these memories fresh. 

I learned so much on this trip and I wouldn't change anything, even the unfortunate first day.

The reason for that is because it taught me to be grateful, and humble, and to trust my husband.

And to trust God. He isn't going to let us down. 

And Dyllon won't let me down.

And even when things suck, Jacob never fails to be positive. 

Next time I crack under pressure, I hope I'm with those two guys. They're my best friends, and make me so happy even when it's 98 degrees and things really suck.

See you soon, Buxton.

<3