Zoom-Zoom-Zoom to Terra Mar

After beating a hasty retreat from the toxic waste dump also known as the Days Inn, I set the cruise control at 75 mph and sat back to enjoy the ride. Today would be the most scenic, as well as the most difficult portion of the drive. I'd be going through the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah mountains with their winding roads and steep inclines and descents. The leaves were just beginning to display their fall colors - hopefully, on the return trip, the trees would be in their full autumn glory.



Now, many of you have commented on my "bravery" to drive so far all alone. In my mind, it's like going to the grocery store ..... for me, it's about a 30 minute round-trip to the Hy-Vee and back home. I figure if I drive 8-9 hours/day, it is just like driving back and forth to the market 16-18 in one day. No biggy.



I hoped to arrive at Terra Mar around 7:30 or 8:00. The cottage would be available by 3 o'clock or earlier, depending on when it was cleaned. Since Buck & Kathy had only a few hours to drive from their home in Virginia, it was decided that they would pick up the keys and I would go directly to the cottage on arrival. Dawn had worked the night before, so would take a nap before she started her drive of a couple of hours. Dawn was also bringing dinner ..... steamed crabs! (Her hubby, Michael, is a commercial crabman on the Pamlico River/Sound.)



I have some questions about crabs ...... I hope someone can answer them. Okay, we were having steamed crabs for dinner. The only real edible part were the legs/claws, as there is very little meat in the main body. Another night for dinner, we'd be having soft shell blue crabs. The best part of those are the body. Are these different types of crabs or the same species, but in various states of undress? What is the difference between lump crab meat and backfin meat? I assume the backfin meat comes from the area of the ..... ummmm .... backfin. Does the lump crab meat come from the crab's lumps? Why is she-crab bisque better than he-crab bisque?



Kathy & Buck were in the cottage by late afternoon, Dawn arriving around 7 o'clock. We learned later that Tim-The-Realtor had the cottage cleaned first thing, and it was available at 10:30 that morning. Drats! An entire day at the beach wasted!



By the time I reached North Carolina, the sun had set and my usual landmarks were lost in the darkness. It's a straight shot down 168/158 to the Wright Bridge, but I enjoy passing through all of the little towns along the peninsula, seeing how've they changed since my last visit. I whizzed through Barco, Coinjock, Grandy, Jarvisburg, Powell's Point and Point Harbor. Sadly, it was too late to stock up on fresh produce at the Grandy Market - one of the best places to shop in the Outer Banks area. Every time the road curved to the left, I expected to see the bridge, but alak and alas, I learned that there are numerous left bearing curves along the route. Finally, I saw the Mermaid Strip & Gentleman's Club off to my right ..... HOORAY! I rounded that last curve and, even in the darkness, I could see the Currituck Sound before me, and off in the distance the lights of Kitty Hawk, sparkling like a strand of diamonds on the horizon.



I called the cottage to advise Dawn, Kathy & Buck of my imminent arrival. Honoring the promise that I had made to myself to avoid the 158 bypass as much as possible, I zipped across the intersection and onto the beach road. In a few minutes I spied Wink's Market and then Terra Mar, lit up like a Christmas tree. I could see faces in the window and hear excited voices exclaiming, "She's here!" and suddenly the front door opened with my friends spilling out onto the porch. Gingerly, I unfolded myself from the truck's seat, every bone creaking and every muscle aching. Hmmmmm ...... guess I'd need to take more frequent stops on the way home.

As a cold bottle of Miller Lite was pressed into my hand, hugs were exchanged, friendships were renewed and friendships begun in those first few moments.


To be continued .........