so much can happen in a day and before you know it three weeks have passed…
I am eager to catch up with everyone and hope that you are well…
our beach getaway was full of the unexpected…
most of it wonderful and some of it a bit challenging…
certainly a memorable time…
midway I broke my pinkie toe by banging it on the wood frame of a bed…
OH! it hurt like crazy (if only I’d put those shoes there from the beginning…house slippers are my favorite shoes just now)…
even with being on ice and my foot elevated for three days I did not miss much because it rained and rained and rained some more (dubbed “Ocrasoak” by the local newspaper)…
out of our thirteen day vacation we had three glorious sunny days that we were most grateful for…
we were cozy and comfortable in our rental home away from home with windows on three sides situated beautifully on Silver Lake Harbor with boats and nature coming and going…
and the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse captivated us from every view and angle again this year…
in past years we enjoyed the brilliant sunsets from our screened in porch and we did manage to see a couple this year in spite of the very wet weather…
I have some traveling tea cup adventures to share with you next week…
Hurricane Joaquin sent us packing a day early with a state of emergency and mandatory evacuation for all visitors from the island…
I woke up at 4am on our last day wondering how our stormy 2.5 hour ferry crossing would go…
reminding myself that it is never the things you worry about that usually happen…
we waited in line for hours to secure a place on the Swan Quarter ferry watching the water rise all around us as we were entertained by a large flock of American White Ibis…
it was a memorable vacation and we really have no complaints except perhaps about the design of that ding dang protruding wooden bed frame…
after a really long day of travel we arrived home safe and sound finding a good five inches of much needed rain had fallen here in Virginia while we were away (Ocrocoke Island remained closed for another week but is now open to visitors again)…
here’s wishing you a very happy T day along with everyone over at Elizabeth’s Altered Book Lover…
Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz 
I worried about you while you were gone, and my worries were not in vain. I kept watching the weather and seeing all that rain plummet your area, as well as where I thought you were. Both places were pummeled with rain, winds, and warnings.
I am really glad you are home safe (relatively so at least). I hope that toe heals well and straight. I wouldn’t want your pinkie to look like one of my toes, which are as deformed as my hands.
As always, your photos are wonderful and so indicative of the atmosphere around you. I am always impressed with the tea you seem to have every day you are on vacation. The images of your trip make me believe I was there with you, at least vicariously.
Thanks for sharing SOME of your wonderful trip and your tea with us for T this week. So glad you are back.
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Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing, and glad you enjoyed your holiday. Sorry about your toe, I know how bad that hurts! Happy T Day, Hugs, Valerie
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Your documentation of little holidays always make me wish I was there…..rain or not. You choose the most magical places to visit. Sorry about the toe. Hope it’s not too long before it feels OK again.
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What a wonderful place you have been to! For me, rain never truly ruined a vacation – weather is what happens, we must abide. A hurricane coming would have been a bit scary, though! Happy T-Day and glad you are home, safe!
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Beautiful photographs. Felt I almost came with you. You have some wonderful travel stories xx
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it is nice to have you back – and you always bring plenty of gorgeous photos for pleasing us.
as having Family Connections to munich you maybe have heard of karl Valentin, Humorist, who had always some laconic Statements, like this one (which i like as well as your last photo!): “i´m happy when it rains, because if i´m not happy, it rains anyway.”
all the best for your toe!! i´m virtually puffing at it for healing:)
xox
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Beautiful photos and story from your vacation. Too bad for all the rain, but talk about forcing you to lay back and relax! Do you go to Ocracoke every year?
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Your photos are breath taking ♥ I love Light House’s too and the last time I climbed to the top of one I had to set up there for a good half hour before I could breathe regularly and actually enjoy the view. I was out of shape then and even more so now 🙂
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I thought of you and actually believed you may have missed much of that rain-only to see that alas, you didn’t. But it was still a magical time, and R and R is what it’s all about. With views like this house has I wouldn’t have been so bothered by the rain either. How I love reading the names of the boats too-some are just so clever! Still loving that little glass top table:):) Sorry to hear about the broken toe-ouch-but your slippers look so pretty and comfy. Happy you only had to cut your time short by one day. Looking forward to seeing more in an upcoming post. And finally, what a great little quote for this post!
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As long as you enjoyed your time and had great views, that’s what counts. I’ve never broken a toe but from those who have, it seems to be very painful. When I sprained my ankle in Sri Lanka I hobbled around everywhere which probably was not a very good idea. May explain why it took 5 months to heal. Perhaps the rain was a blessing (so that you didn’t hobble around all over the place) — except, of course, the state of emergency part. Glad you were able to make it safely home. Hope the toe is much better now.
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The photo’s are beautiful. Too bad about the toe and all the rain but it sounds like you rose to the occasion and enjoyed the trip anyway. Hope that ferry tro[ wasn’t to rocky
Darla
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Such beautiful images. Glad that you were able your time away despite some of these challenges. Hope you are your toes are all better.
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Gorgeous photos, you are a talented photographer. Hugs, xx
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I must say I have missed you!! So you went to my home state for your vacation. What a time to go when the South East was being pummeled with rain. Or did you miss most of it. From the mountains of North Carolina (that’s where I lived) to the Outer Banks – I have traveled back and forth many times!
You pictures are wonderful – looking forward to seeing your tea cup pictures.
I am sorry bout your little toe – better that than you nose!
Welcome back – wonderful pictures Patty – I enjoyed every single one!!
Sandy xx
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Wonderful post full of fantastic photos – thanks so much for sharing.
Hope your toe is getting better……… Gill x
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Oh, how I love Ocracoke! It’s been ages since we were there, and your photos brought back so many fond memories. Thanks!
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I’m so glad you got some sun before the rain and that you were able to get off the island safely and back home. It looks idyllic, Patty. What a gorgeous place! The photos just sing of joy! I feel you pain with the toe — I did the same thing once and it was really awful. I hope it heals up soon and you’re back to wearing shoes again — though there is much to be said for slippers!
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Oh my, what a vacation that was! Glad to hear you made it home safely. Hope your toe is on the mend, those little rascals can sure hurt!
Love the names of the boats, and is that you with the umbrella??
As always, beautiful photos that capture the spirit of your surroundings, and welcome the rest of us to join in.
Happy T-day
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you always shared the most amazing photos..hope your toe is a bit better now and the rain has cleared
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I’m glad you had a wonderful, relaxing time!! I’m sorry about your toe…. perhaps that’s why I had such a sense of worry about you….. you broke your toe! I hope you got a coffee cup from there…. so many great ones it appears! Next year go before or after hurricane season. Glad you are home.
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Well, I suppose if you had to be kept indoors because of rain and your poor little toe, you certainly had a beautiful place with lots of windows and outside activity to keep you entertained. I hope your toe is on the mend. Thank you for sharing all of your terrific photos.
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Ouch! Hope your toe is better Patty! Thank you for sharing your lovely holiday snaps, I especially love the birds. Glad you made it home ok!
Alison xxx
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P.S. I managed to walk into the edge of a brick wall at the weekend…got a huge and painful bruise on my forearm! Teach me to look where I’m going! 🙂
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What a beautiful place! I went on Google to find out more. But a bit of a bummer that it rained so much. And then you manage to break your toe! Ouch! That must have been so painful!
I would have been really worried by the hurricane warning. Let alone having to go on a ferry! But you survived and luckily it happened at the end of your holiday and not at the beginning.
Thanks for sharing all those beautiful photos.
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I didn’t realize we were on vacation at the same time or I would have been frantic thinking of you as the news of this weather did reach us in Sweden.
Oh, your poor little toe–not much to be done, and I hope it is much better. We were expecting rain when we went & were pleasantly surprised with just the opposite. Mother nature has a mind of her own for sure. You still managed to get some really fantastic photos! I’m looking forward to hearing more.
Thank you for your very sweet words on my post–I guess you could tell I was more than a little excited!
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WOW! This place really looks beautiful and peaceful -even in the rain! Sorry to hear about your toe – hope it gets better soon! Happy T day! Chrisx
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I’m sorry to hear that your vacation got cut short and that you broke your toe. Still, I can tell from the photos that you did have good times, too. Thanks for sharing this travelogue. Happy T Day!
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Patty, I have no words to describe the beauty of your nature photos. I think you should consider creating Calendars out of these gorgeous pictures. That sky picture is amazing.
Happy T day
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Now that’s a lot of rain! Despite your broken toe and the gloomy weather it sounds like you enjoyed your vacation time. Glad you made it home safe and sound. Happy T-Day!
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oww…so sorry to hear about your toe, I do hope you are doing better now…I thought I spotted a flooded roadway in the photo collage, and then reading on, well…guess you gotta take things as they come, including rainy vacations. Wonderful photos as always! heal quickly my friend!
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Well first of all OUCH, toes are the worst. Even stubbing is so painful. What wonderful photos of all the bits and details. xox
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Well my goodness Patty i have been reminded how much i have missed seeing you but so glad to hear you’ve had a wonderful time.. sans the broken toe… I did not break my toe but hubby dropped a board on it during this construction and oh man! did it hurt… I’m so sorry for the late fly by for tea but construction rules the roost right now… Hugs! deb
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Oh gosh Patty…I knew about the storm via facebook but sorry about your toe!! It looks like an incredible place to vacation though. And, that quote in your last picture is perfect!
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Oh dear, a toe boo boo is rough, I know, all about them. Lovely tea time with you and so glad you made it home safe and sound. Lovely to look at everything thru your eyes!! xoxo
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Gorgeous photos, Patty. I really enjoyed reading your post! So due to your little toe, you will have to dance on one foot 😃?
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I am happy to hear that you enjoyed your holiday liebe Patty! AMAZING Photos are this all! Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing !
Sorry about your toe.. this must be painful ♥♥♥
Happy T-Day !
oxo
Susi
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So much lovely photos dear Patty, but to read about your damaged pinky toe sounds no good to me. I hope you feel better now. Storm and rain at the holidays are also no good news. No one needs this! But I think you made the best of it all. Nice for you that you could watch the Ibis. We only can watch in a Zoo.
Dearest Greetings
Sabine
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Each of these photos could have a blogpost of its own.
What a journey – this is my third visit here, to gaze in wonder at your outstanding photographs which tell so many stories.
I love the photo of you on the sand island, wondering if you would get home safely (love it because you did) and the quote at the end is so true and amusing and practical advice all at the same time.
And the picture of the pelican in the rain and the birdy bird house and all your descriptions and words, all just fascinating.
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Oh dear – I’m so sorry you bent yourself, but I suppose if you were to look on the bright side it forces you to slow down and take more note of your surroundings. It certainly looks like a lovely spot to sit and relax though.
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Patty! Such beautiful photos and notes and thoughts of your visit you shared!
I am so sorry about your pinkie toe- I bet there were some colorful phrases in the room when that happened! Darn ding dang bed frame! Hope it heals soon! xoxo
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Your photos are always so beautiful and your adventures sound like fun. Sorry about your little tootsie. )-:
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Love this post Patty…..what an amazing time you had (despite the traumas 😉 ) Your photos are beautiful …I especially love ‘breathe’ ……and that last quote is quite classic! 🙂 xx
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Hello my dear Patty, this has been such a wonderful vacation, even rain and rain, because what a stunning place that island is, and all the experiences of nature you have had .
So sorry to read you broke your tiny toe, -how is it feeling now ? Not what one wants in middle of vacation, poor you. Oh the Ibises are stunning birds, and such a sunset, Patty, when living there, it dosen`t matter rayning.
Good you got home in time, without problems from the hurricane, I`m happy for that.
Hugs from Dorthe
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oh ouch! Now some of those comments from this week are making sense since I am a week behind in visiting. 🙂 I haven’t broke the pinkie toe but I have broken my big toe on my right foot twice!! It’s amazing how something so small can hurt so much. 🙂
Loved the photos from you trip. I get a kick out of boat names.
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