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For the last month or so we’ve been completely off our normal routine. We went camping in the Shenandoah Mountains, spent weeks working on the blog while we transitioned to WordPress, and then went out of town for a week to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
I’m really looking forward to settling in for the next six weeks trying some new recipes and blogging on my regular schedule. Â But … before we get back to delicious recipes, I want to share some vacation photos from our OBX adventure.
If you’ve followed SRFD for a while you probably know we love to kayak. We took our boats on vacation and spent a couple of days paddling around with my husband’s sister-in-law Rita. We kayaked in the Currituck Sound and had a wonderful day on this canal in The Preserve at Kitty Hawk Woods.
The canal runs 8.5 miles through more than 1,800 acres of lush trees, wildlife, birds and fish. Â It was a relaxing, fascinating day with perfect weather and great company.
You may remember my sister-in-law Rita works at the Nashville Zoo and is our resident bird, bug and animal expert. Â We love traveling and vacationing with her and can’t wait to go again soon!
We felt lucky to visit the area in early fall because I am quite sure we dodged some pesky blood sucking mosquitoes and sun bathing snakes. Â I understand the area is also home to those enormous Nutria (giant swimming rats) – oh yuck!
 My husband fished a little but only caught a small crab.
 
The area seems to be holding on to many secrets and untold stories.
We paddled up to an abandoned covered bridge. Â Apparently it was part of a development that never got off the ground.
I was fascinated with the drift wood and fallen trees. Â They are creepy and beautiful at the same time.
 
 Along the canal we came across several docks and houses.
 We headed back to the south out of the woods and into the marsh.
Mother nature is very artistic.
 
 Kitty Hawk Bay – this way!
 
 I paddled out to see what was written on this sign – “Seasonal Bull Shark Nursery Area – May – Oct.”  Oh my – let’s go back!
 We didn’t hang around there very long – ha ha!
This giant (Banana) spider was nice enough to hold still while I took out the macro lens and got a close up. Â I didn’t need to get very close as she was more than 2 inches long. Â Eeewwwww – creepy and fascinating.
I hope you enjoyed our trip down the canal and Kitty Hawk Bay. Â I have a few more photos of the beach and will get those up later this week. Â Did you know there are about 150 wild horses that live on the island? Â Thanks so much for stopping by.
Tricia
eric says
we were at that canal on 8/25/2015 & saw a few snakes & a Nutria surfaced & almost jumped in our boat, scared the heck out of us!!
That covered bridge is in use cause a truck drove over it as we were going under the bridge…
Tricia Buice says
How cool Eric! I thought it was a great place to kayak and was so happy not to see the Nutria! We just finished a kayaking trip to Tarpon Bay on Sanibel Island. We say manatee, dolphins, tons of birds and fish. BEST way to see the area where you are visiting! Paddle on!
Susan says
More gorgeous scenery! The kayaking looks so peaceful skimming along the water like that.
Tricia Buice says
Very peaceful – it was a nice trip – can I go again now please?
[email protected]'s Recipes says
A beautiful and peaceful place, Tricia. Gorgeous marco shots of the spider and web.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Angie – hope you have a great weekend!
2 Sisters Recipes...by Anna and Liz says
Wow Tricia – what beautiful photos you posted and what a fun trip! Girlfriend, you are so brave to bring your camera with you. Yes in deed. But it was worth it, because you captured some of the most amazing drift woods and fallen trees, magnificent colors in the natural surroundings, and even captured a glimpse of that spider… well … just amazing! Thanks for the tour!
xoxo Anna and Liz
Tricia Buice says
Thank you ladies! I was nervous about the camera but got tired of my cell phone shots. Hope you have a great weekend!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I loved going on vacation with you! We have bull sharks in the canal out back (so neighbors say) but I’ve never seen one. I’ve seen a lot of rays but no sharks. I wouldn’t like that. Your spider was creepy. 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Maureen! I didn’t see any bull sharks and really didn’t want to! Have a great weekend 🙂
michael says
Very beautiful area Tricia for kayaking and taking pictures too! Love the covered bridge. Everyone in my family loves to kayak too. We are at Hilton Head this week and every morning we have kayak! 🙂
Beautiful pictures, Michael
Hilton Head beach link to my recent post;
http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/hilton-head-beach/
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Michael – so glad you are getting a vacation too! Heading over to check out your photos. Enjoy your kayaking and family time!
Becky Green says
Thanks for sharing with us Tricia! Your photo’s were FUN & FASCINATING! 😀
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Becky – have a great weekend!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
Tricia, these photos are amazing! And you are amazingly brave to take your camera in the kayak! You certainly caught some spectacular nature. The preserve looks so peaceful. It must have been hard to leave!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Chris. I stored my camera in a dry bag and kept a towel wrapped around it when not in use. As you can see, the wind was calm and I pulled over to shoot the photos. I was very worried about something happening to the camera – I would have been upset – but all’s well! It was hard to leave but it’s also great to be home. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
sue/the view from great island says
Tricia these photos are awesome, what camera are you using? And the trip sounds like such fun, although the nutria…not so much :/
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Sue. I shoot with a Canon 7D. I have a variety of lens but most all my outdoor photos are shot with a L-series zoom 17-40 mm lens. The trip was a great time to visit with family and enjoy outdoor adventures. Have a great week!
Daniela says
Congrats on your new virtual home, Tricia it looks wonderful!
Thanks for taking us along on such an amazing trip. This place is nature pure and so beautiful.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks so much Daniela! It was a lovely adventure and I always enjoy your peeks at far away places. Have a great week.