Pandemic Week 17: Social Distance at OBX

Ellie, Anna & Storm at the beach
After much debate, it was determined that a vacation was needed.  While we had to cancel our original plans (like everyone else), social distancing someplace else seemed like a good option.  We opted to head for the Outer Banks and rent a place for the week.  We took all of our food in and decided to do what we do at home - limit trips out and go places where we can keep a distance.  Anna's friend Ellie was able to join us, and so we headed south in hopes of enjoying some quality ocean time.

It should be noted that a vacation at the beach with your family (or any vacation) will not truly be a vacation right now - largely because you have already been locked up together for over 4 months.  "Vacation" just means your are locked up together in a different spot. We were happy that Ellie could join us.  At least we had one new person in the mix!

NC Shrimp Night
As expected, we arrived to find we were surrounded by a lot of other people from the DC metro area.  Clearly large family gatherings were still going on and social distancing on the beach required some effort (sitting far back or going in the morning or evening).  While we did get some quality time on the beach (Anna & Ellie did extensive boogie boarding....and got a good sunburn to show for it), we quickly realized that you cannot escape COVID.  On the rare occasion we did go out, masks were essential (most people were abiding by the requirement). 

On the plus side, we did enjoy some great seafood (Joe did go out to the local fish market one day).  We took bikes along (Theresa enjoyed a few morning rides up to the lighthouse).  Joe managed to throw a fishing line in a few times.  Theresa decided part of her vacation was to NOT read the news (Joe kept his daily newspaper reading to himself so as not to break her news-free vacation....but there really wasn't anything new to report anyway).

Alas, we are back home and have returned to our normal social distancing routines.  At least we now have a tan..........


Anna & Ellie finishing paddle boarding on the sound
 


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