leicaguy

Earlier this year Nilsa called me over to the computer to look at her newest find, a vacation house she thought we should rent for a week in the Outer Banks. With our busy lives I hadn’t given much thought to a vacation, but fortunately she was thinking about it! It turned out to be just the thing we both needed. Oh, and Tony enjoyed himself too.

Nilsa got us this great little beach house in Salvo, NC. that had a couple of bedrooms, large living room, pool and hot tub. We were only about a 300 or 400 yard walk to the beach. This was our first trip with an 8 month old infant, so it required extra planning, extra packing, and extra patience (on our part).

The house was very family friendly. We were very happy to find a high chair stored in a closet and childproof plugs on all the outlets. The one thing it lacked, and we forgot to bring, was his walker. Fortunately, we found a store in Nags Head that had one to rent for $10 a week. We hopped on that! And as it turned out that was the week that Tony really started to get the hang of using the walker. He was all over that house running into anything and everyone, and trying to open every cabinet and drawer in the house.

All in all, things went well. Nilsa drove down and I rode in the back with Tony so one of us could feed and entertain him. Much to our surprise, Tony was quiet and laid back for most of the trip. He finally reached the stage where he had had enough 15 miles from our destination. That amazed us. He is a good kid.

Vacationing with an eight month old was an eye opener for both Nilsa and me. We knew it would be challenging, but I don’t think we really appreciated how much effort it takes to go on vacation, try and relax, yet provide Tony the continuity and structure he needs and is use to. We learned a lot, but I have to say, that Tony was very adaptable, and he quickly got into his new routine and surroundings.

Personally, I found it fun to pack Tony up in his car seat and place his seat in the beach wheelbarrow and pull him to the beach most every morning. He seemed to really enjoy watching the waves come in and go out. Nilsa and I stood in the surf while holding him. You could almost see the gears turning as he would watch the waves lap at our legs. It was my observation, that our “walks” (one of us pulling him in the beach wheelbarrow) on the beach was a calming influence on him. I would love to know what he was thinking. Those walks on the beach with Tony are some memories that stick out the most for me.

Keep your Sunny Side Up.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

The front porch. Seeing this just makes you want to sit down and relax.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

Tony playing with his hat in the Sunroom. The house even included this nice high chair.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

A happy little man. This child is so good natured and naturally happy.

• Leica MP
• Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

The weather looked as if it was about to storm, but it didn’t. These houses were behind the dunes separating the Atlantic Ocean from the beach houses.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

A slightly different perspective of those beach front houses.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Taken on a cloudy morning at around 7:30am.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Looking south on the Salvo, NC beach.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Pea Island facing the ocean.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Pea Island Wildlife Refuge. This is the Oregon Inlet.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

This is the Highway 12 bridge, that connects Hatteras Island to Bodie Island.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

We will stay in one of these houses next year (if we hit the lottery). The location is Hatteras Inlet next to the Orcacoke Island ferry.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Departing Hatteras Inlet on the way to Orcacoke.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

We took Tony out of his car seat during the ferry ride. Here he’s learning what it’s like to be in the drivers seat.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 400H

Tony finds the horn, and is quite pleased with himself.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

Ferry back from Orcacoke.

• Leica MP
• Leica 24mm Elmarit ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

Nilsa and Tony of the beach at Salvo.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 400H

Tony enjoying time with his Mom on the beach.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 400H

What a smile!

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 400H

Tony and I in the surf. We found out he didn’t like his feet in the sand.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 400H

Watching the waves from the comfort of Dad’s leg.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 400H

My two favorite people!

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 400H

Tony with Lambie in his beach wheel barrow.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

Tony, Lambie, and the hat we would rarely wear on the beach.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

With the ocean breeze, you see a lot of people flying kites on the beach.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

Hatteras Lighthouse.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

This is the view from the top of the Hatteras Lighthouse looking southeast.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Looking northeast from the top of the Hatteras Lighthouse.

• Hasselblad XPan II
• Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
• Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

This is the Bodie Island Lighthouse, which is about 50 miles north of the Hatteras Lighthouse.

• Leica MP
• Leica 24mm Elmarit ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

I went to the Wright Brothers Museum in Kitty Hawk, NC. The Park Service does a great job of running and maintaining the museum and they put on a great demonstration. Truly worth going to. I plan on going back next time.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 400H

Looking out to the Atlantic from the pathway.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

Last photo of the beach and ocean, till next year.

• Leica MP
• Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
• Fuji Pro 160S

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