THE OUTER BANKS

Without a doubt the Outer Banks of North Carolina is my favorite vacation spot. This may be because of early visits there in 1942 as a guest of Uncle Sam (see BOOT CAMP), although subsequent visits for family vacations put it in an even more favorable light.

The first time that dear son and his family were a part of our vacation group, there was just one grandchild in the family. I can still picture Kelly riding her tricycle on the motel pavement. Our favorite motel then, the Cavalier, is still in business, serving guests in the Kill Devil Hills area. For you history buffs, this is the location where the Wright brothers first flew off the sand dunes on December 10, 1912. Those same dunes are still there, and actively used by kite gliders.

The motel is located right on the beach, which means it is just a few steps to the gently rolling (most of the time) surf, making it easy to take "tiny tots" and all of the necessary equipment right onto the sand. Two of my favorite camera shots include one that I call "THE SISTERS," showing Kelly and Whitney posing on the motel steps. The other favorite shows Whitney sitting in the surf watching me surf-fish. Precious memories.

It seems that the grandchildren went to KDHs in birth order. First was Kelly, followed by Kelly and Whitney, followed by Kelly, Whitney and Christopher. I also have a sweet picture of Christopher getting a "tubby" in the motel washbasin.

More, later.