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 