I received a fantastic and unexpected gift from a very special and generous niece. She, my daughter, and daughter-in-law, had planned a trip over a year ago. They do not live near one another, so they looked forward to a reunion and a photography retreat all year.
However, a couple of weeks before the retreat, my niece discovered that she couldn’t go, and she would love for me to go in her place.
I haven’t seen my daughter, and her fam, in a year and one half, or so. Of course, I wanted to go!
The trip began by driving from eastern Washington state with my daughter-in-law to western Washington state where she lives (she was visiting). She made it possible for me to fly to North Carolina with her.
Only, she couldn’t go.
She got Covid, and my son kept us apart. I tested negative right before he took me to the Seattle International airport.
My son-in-law picked me up at the airport in Norfolk, Virginia, and drove us to South Mills, North Carolina, where he and the fam live.
And so begins my first visit to the east coast!
*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!
I took over 1000 photos, and I have spent considerable time editing photos since I have come back home. I am not going to blog 1000 photos. I am not even going to blog only the sharpest photos.
I am going to blog enough of a representation of my trip to be able to have a personal journal of it kept on my blog.
And, perhaps, you might like what you see and want to go exploring.
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is the largest intact remnant of a vast swamp that once covered more than one million acres. The swamp was a refuge for fugitive slaves and Native Americans. George Washington, and many others have had a part in draining, building canals, and logging the swamp.
It is a magical place, and there are miles of trails to explore. I would love to go back and spend quality time there.
I have never seen a Common Eastern Velvet Ant before. Turns out that this critter isn’t even an ant; it is a wasp!
While on a drive to show me the area, my daughter also stopped at picturesque Treasure Point Park.
Those stormy clouds are coming from Hurricane Ian.
I had the great good fortune of having this visit to the east coast coincide with Hurricane Ian.
And, in fact, later on, I experienced my first (and hopefully last) tornado warning. I had a heart attack just from the warning suddenly screaming on everyone’s phones (we were at my daughter’s home).
Thankfully, nothing came of it! The grands are well trained…instantly they headed for the safest place in the house!
Meanwhile, back to the pleasant drive through the surrounding country:
I am sure glad this punishment isn’t used anymore!
The Pasquotank River in Elizabeth City (where the Coast Guard has stationed the fam):
The Pasquotank River
Was noted in 35 runaway slave ads between 1791 to 1840, indicating that slaves (”freedom seekers”) escaped on board boats (“vessels”) traveling north to free territory or south to the West Indies, confirming that Underground Railroad operations were active in the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County region of northeast North Carolina. These activities involved a network of free and enslaved African Americans, many being seamen themselves, working with Citizens of other races and occupations to arrange safe passage. The Pasquotank River is the first river in the country to receive an Underground Railroad Network designation.
Designated September 15, 2004
So much history, and so little time to explore!
It was very breezy, but I sure do appreciate my girl showing me around!
Stay healthy.
Stay safe.
Keep smiling.
See the world around you!
LC's Cottage 
What a fun trip for you, even with the tornado warning (a common thing around here)! Thanks for sharing the photos!
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So much fun, and I am so grateful to have gone! Learned lots of new things and enjoyed the fam! 4 phones suddenly ‘going off’ at the same time may not be something I would get used to. Ha, ha! 🙂
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Wow, what a great trip and visit with family, Laura! My daughter is going to college now in Black Mountain, NC, so I’m interested in seeing where places are in relation to there. Hmm, 6+ hours drive! NC is one spread out state!
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I was very happy to see where places are in relation to where my daughter lives, so I understand. I hope you can go back to Black Mountain for a visit while your daughter is there! It is a 6 hour drive for Hubby and I to visit our son, but we do it. It is a whole nuther ball game to visit our daughter! 🙂
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“Great good fortune” of visiting with hurricane Ian LOL! We didn’t want you to be bored… LOL! Can’t wait for you and Dad to come again! 🙂
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I could never be bored visiting you!!! When is the next hurricane? Ha, ha! 🙂
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Hi Laura! What a fabulous post. I can see that you enjoyed yourself and your time with your daughter and her family immensely. WOW! How cool about the Pasquotank River. My niece lives near Raleigh, and I plan to visit her and check out the surroundings. I know there is a ton of history throughout the whole east coast. I’m sure glad you had no issues from the hurricane or the tornado! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
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Hi Roseanne! I look forward to a post someday after you have visited your niece! There is nothing like a personal visit to make history become real! And nothing is more precious than being with family 🙂
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Wow! That was a treat of a trip! So many adventures and new things to see (and photograph!)! But most special of all: how lovely to be reunited with your daughter and her family.
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You are right, Allison…being with my daughter and fam was most special! 🙂
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What a wonderful trip Laura! And so happy that you did not get sick before leaving! Beautiful pictures and I bet those 1,000 are really something to see. I am happy for you to have been able to visit family! Retirement is great isn’t it! Hugs
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You and me both, Nanette! I do seem to have a strong constitution! Yes…so blessed and grateful for the opportunity to take this trip! 🙂
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Glad you got to go, even if it didn’t work out ad planned.
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It didn’t go as planned, but it worked out for me and it was fun! 🙂
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Pingback: What I Did on Vacation or Visit to North Carolina Part 2 | LC's Cottage
Thanks for sharing your ‘personal journal’ of your trip. Such an enriching experience.
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It is good to get out and explore! BTW…your music is also an enriching experience! 🙂
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Oh yeah – I love adventuring!
Thanks, Laura for enjoying my music…
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Pingback: What I Did on Vacation or Visit to North Carolina Part 3 | LC's Cottage
Oh, I am so sorry for your niece’s misfortune, but glad that you were able to take her place. Welcome to the East Coast. I am not sure I have seen a common eastern velvet ant. Of course, I can’t remember the last time I went bug hunting! I will take some time to look at these photos later. They are gorgeous. We have turned off that warning…I see plenty of notices but that is so darn loud!!
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I can’t say that I was bug hunting, Kathleen. Ha, ha! That critter just happened to be on the same path that my daughter and I were walking. Except for a very large spider, I thoroughly enjoyed the East Coast! I learned so much, and was so happy to see my fam! 🙂
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Now I am off to read #2 and #3. Love your travelogue!
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Thank you, Kathy! I am hoping to visit the Badlands someday…then I’ll see what your territory is like. 🙂
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When you do we must meet up!
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I would love that! 🙂
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It’s great reading your take on the east. I chuckled over the “ ant” ,they do however really look like one.😀 now off to read your other post.
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Thank you, Deb! It is funny the things that we don’t notice until an ‘outsider’ visits! 🙂
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