Leann and I had my dream trip planned for the first 2 weeks in July, a hiking trip around Mount Blanc taking us through France, Switzerland and Italy. Damn COVID. Since it was my trip to pick there was no doubt where I wanted to go. I asked the girls if they and their husbands/boy friends were interested in a family road trip. I told them I know a place with great beaches, no crowds where we can all escape COVIID for a week. They knew I was talking about Ocracoke Island and all said yes. On the agenda: beach, reading, relaxing, bike rides to the ferry, lots of great food and quality time with the family. It’s a long drive but all of your troubles are washed away when you get on the ferry to the island.
I decided to post a few pictures from each one of our 8 visits, I guess we do like this place
1995
On the road again

Kitty Hawk

Hatteras Light House that was actually moved


Daughters and Dad riding the ferry on our first visit to the island.

2001

Buried alive by my own daughters


2004
My girls

OK, I am a dork but I liked the view from our room, looked like we are on a boat.

Puzzle time when the weather goes bad



2007
Girls are growing up


All of the Whytes, not many pictures of all of us

2009
Leann relaxing on the beach


We usually head to the beach for at least one night to look for ghost crabs and satellites


2012
Jenny & Mike, we take turns cooking and it looks like their turn

This house came with Kayaks and there was water access in the backyard

Leann talking to the birds

My girls with Leann’s mom


2014
For some reason guys started coming on these trips, the girls picked well


This was a great little restaurant and we usually made a point of stopping for lunch. unfortunately it was closed on our last trip, another victim of COVID


2020
Why we love Ocracoke, most of the island is National Seashore

Parental selfie on one of our bike rides to the ferry

Completing at least one puzzle is on the agenda. I ordered a custom puzzle of previous vacations, task completed by the 3J’s with help from the boys

The boys bought me a nice bottle of Blue, all were happy when I shared.

This was not my dream trip to the Alps, this was better.
I got horrible news in late 2023. Ocracoke was named the best beach in the country. Crap.
HAPPY TRAILS, STEVE