Salvo NC - A Simpler Vacation

Ocean from top of dunes

Salvo shipwreck just off shore

Last week was our family vacation with the Simpson family to Outer Banks, NC.  This year we stayed on Hatteras Island in the small town of Salvo, NC.  We visited this area 5 years ago in Waves, NC (Waves is 1 mile from Salvo, and if you blink you will miss them both).  The island is a remote, simple area less than 1/2 mile wide.  From our beach house we had fantastic views of both the sound and the ocean.  There is one grocery store on the island in Avon, about 20 minutes from Salvo.  There is one road in and one road out.  Beaches are sparse of people.  Dunes are high and a considerable hike to cross (with beach garb hanging off 2 arms and your back).  Salvo is a quiet, peaceful, non-commercial seaside town. 

 

Ocean's Gate Beach House

We have vacationed 3 different years with the Simpsons, planning our vacation down to fine details of separating grocery lists, who's bringing the Wii, Costco meat trip, suntan lotion supplies, etc.  For the 2nd year in a row we have booked our vacation home exactly 8 days ahead of departure.  This year we saved a total of 1500 dollars for a roomy and fun 6 bdrm, 5 1/2 bath, oceanview house with pool, hot tub and it's very own elevator (the latter 3 enjoyed 110% by the kids)!  The exterior wasn't very eye appealing, but inside the house boasted all the fun we needed. 

 

Pre-Day 1 (Friday) - The Simpsons came to the river to spend the night.  The riverhouse was full of  energy and anticipation from both kids and parents.

Day 1 (Saturday) - We left promptly at 3 am (per Ryan's persistance).  We pull into Salvo, NC at 9 am after an uneventful and safe trip.  The weather was partly sunny and windy upon arrival.  We went to see our house, parked and headed to the beach.  In 15 minutes, we were welted by sandblasts that felt like needles, had sand in our ears and eyes, had 2 youngins' crying hysterically, and high tailed it back over the dunes and off the beach.  Luckily, our realty office had a large pool for families waiting to check in to their houses.  The kids happily played in the pool, and I went for a very hot/humid 4 mile run.  We went to lunch at Ocean's Bistro in Avon, NC (near the lone Food Lion), then back to our house for check in.  That evening the clouds and rain started moving in, but that didn't stop us from playing at the beach for a few hours!

 

Day 1 evening

See the shipwreck in the background?

Day 2 - Rainy

Day 2 (Sunday) - Wash out rain day.  Aside from a grocery trip, we stayed indoors playing games, teaching the kids to play pool, and attempted to hit the beach between breaks in the rain.  Each time our behinds hit the beach chairs, the flood gates opened and the rain poured.  I did manage to get a quick and rainy 3 mile run on the beach.  Running on the beach is not easy people.  It hurts.  We had marinated chicken for dinner.

Day 2 (Monday) - Another wash out day.  The Clatterbucks (our neighbors from the river) drove in to join our crew and fun before lunch.  Us gals went shopping for a few hours, had some good laughs and found a few treasures.  We had small breaks of rain in the evening, and managed to get some more play time on the beach.  Dinner was rib eye steaks and potatoes!



Day 3 Evening - hint of sunset in the clouds

Day 4 (Tuesday) - Beautiful beach day!  After a 6 mile run (on paved road) for me, all 3 of our families enjoyed an entire day at the beach.  We sunbathed too much, wrote in the sand, surfed the waves, slept in the shade, caught sand crabs, made sand sculptures, and loved every minute of it.  We had an incredible edible seafood dinner:  seared tuna steaks, scallops, crab legs, salad, and corn on the cob.  All were fresh from the local fish market just a mile down the road.  After filling our tummies, we all settled in for Pirates of the Carribean movie night. 

Day 5 (Wednesday) - Early in the morning we said goodbye to the Clatterbucks as they headed out of town.  Within a few hours we said hello to the Frenches who were staying in Avon.  They spent a beautiful day with us at the beach.  We repeated the day before, just this time I took a few pictures and Ryan got a nice treat from a seagull.  For dinner Ryan cooked up delicious b-b-b-baby back ribs.  We wrapped up the evening with a pool tournament between the dads and the boys.

Seagull poo on shoulder

Sand crab missing legs (we found him this way)

Naps in the shade



Our kite we flew daily

RF + CF

Day 6 (Thursday) - Happy July 4th USA!  Ryan and I kicked off the Holiday with a run...Ryan ran 2 of my 4 miles, and I was happy he joined me.  Then we did a repeat of days 4 and 5 - HIT THE BEACH!  By Thursday the little kids were boogy boarding like the professional big kids.  To celebrate the 4th, we had our one and only dinner out in Avon at the Froggy Dog (this was more of a local joint and had a one man band playing outside).  After dinner, we met the Frenches and their crew of 25 on the beach for a bonfire and watched the July 4th Fireworks display off the Avon Pier.  Fireworks + Bonfire + Beach = Red White and Blue FUN!

Hang loose!

Family at the beach

Tug boat!

Day 7 (Friday) - Our minds were on a permanent vacation, and the only worry in the world was if the tide was gonna reach our chairs.  After a good 8 hours of soaking up the sun, we packed up our beach and headed to the house.  All good things must come to an end.  Ours ended with pizza, a last swim in the pool, and another movie night. 

Day 8 (Saturday) - My alarm sounded at 4:50 am and I quickly ran around the house waking up all who were sleeping.  I grabbed my coffee and our crew ran to the beach for one last time in hopes of seeing an amazing sunrise.  We saw lots of crabs, a crescent moon, and a beautifully colored sky, but the hazy clouds in the horizon kept us from seeing the sun actually 'pop'.  After the sunrise, we kicked it into high gear of packing/cleaning, and hauled it out of the beach house driveway at 7 am. 

Sunrise there's a fire in the sky

Beach bums

By 6 pm, we were back at the river, partially unpacked, and enjoying a 4th of July cookout/fireworks with our neighbors.  When Ryan asked Nick if he preferred the river or the ocean more, Nick replied "the river because it is easier to swim in."  I guess no matter how much fun we have on vacation, it is always nice to come home.  I am thankful to God for the blessings of our safe vacation and the memories we made.

Note:  On the drive home from the beach I felt a tad guilty for not taking the kids places and doing more activities such as a lighthouse.  Now that I've thought about it for a few more days, I'm happy we were easy going, lazy, and had no where to go.  Because our lives are full of appointments, activities, and places to be, so what better place than the beach to ignore such things and enjoy family and friends.