I really miss the sand beneath my feet!

I really do miss the sand....

I recently had the most amazing opportunity of visiting with my former AC classmate: Vanessa Skinner. I never been to the eastern coast before and once I was invited to go see her and her family, I couldn't give up on this wonderful experience. Something was pulling me to go. At first I was hesitate because it required taking time off from work and it was close to two months before the feast. I thought maybe it would be expensive and I was trying real hard to save on money for the feast in England. However, God worked it out and I was able to fly out there for about 5 days. I was happy that Vanessa pushed and encouraged me come up because I would have given up on a wonderful time and adventure on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Everything worked in its place and even the flights were peaceful and worry free. I never flown on a plane by myself and so the anticipation of going from airport to airport was quite the experience. I can't help to full the adrenal rush through me as I am flying over. It was quite exhilarating because I knew I was going to see them in less than half a day!

My plane landed at the Dulles International airport right outside of Washington DC. Vanessa and her mom came and picked me up and then we drove on over their home in West Virginia, which was settled in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains.

They attend services in Maryland, which is about 1 hour and half drive from the Skinner home. You have people from Maryland, Virgina and West Virginia coming to services. The people are very funny and nice - very down to earth folk. They really make you feel welcomed and seem to care a lot for you and your interests. Its amazing where ever you go, God's people are there to take care of you - even if you may have met them for the very first time.

Early Sunday morning we took our trip OBX (Outer Banks) beach in North Carolina. The Outer Banks is a chain of barrier islands stretching along the Atlantic coast. Little more than strips of shifting sand, these islands are sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean on the east and large bodies of water called sounds on the west. The banks also consist of a blend of tourism and fishing. If you happen to visit a restaurant there your main food items on the menu would be: seafood (of course). Also, many of the restaurant joints consisted of pizza, ice cream stands, burgers and hotdogs. The ice cream out there has been the best I've ever had. And I can't complain at all about the pizza. Very good! :)

The lighthouses give a symbol to the Outer Banks. They help the sailors navigate along the hazardous coast. Many of the islands that make up the Outer banks: Currituck Beach, Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras, and Okracoke Island. Okcracoke Island is known for the famous pirate Edward Teach "Blackbeard." Time does move slowly on the Island- a short ferry rides across the Hatteras Intel. It is a blend of artist studios and galleries, cafes and fishing boats. Its such an amazing and beautiful Island to spend an entire day.

We ended up spending three days on the beach and Wednesday night, Aug the 10th, was when I flew back home. It was quite an memorable experience and I was sad to leave. I really do miss the east coast already, but it does give me a nice idea to what its like over there. The sand was nice and white and the beaches seemed fairly cleaned and well kept. I was impressed. The sense of walking barefooted in the sand was a nice because its something I don't do very often. It was great spending time with the Skinner family and getting to know them. I haven't seen Vanessa in awhile and it was great catching up on things and spending time together.

Overall, I had a wonderful time and now I am back to working and reality again, but soon the feast will be here and I am definitely looking forward to that! I can hardly wait!