Greetings from Wanchese

Despite rain in the forecast, we had another pretty much perfect day in the Outer Banks! We went to the beach right after breakfast so Cheryl could swim before she had to check out, then we packed lunch to bring with us and went to Wanchese Marina to go out with Paradise Dolphin Tours, with whom we had good luck last year. This year we had even better luck -- we saw more than a dozen dolphins as well as various shore birds that surround Bodie Lighthouse.

After we got off the boat, we decided to drive to the lighthouse itself and walk to the wetlands behind it, which are full of crabs and egrets. Then we went to Jennette's Pier, which has a small aquarium and a long elevated walkway from which one can see right through the clear water to the rays and skates as well as the fish people were trying to catch. Cheryl had to drive home after dinner, so we went out for Thai food, said goodbye to her, and took a walk on the beach!


My family cruising to see dolphins...


...of which we got to see many!


We went out with the same tour company last year and had good luck then too.


Annual pic of my kids at Bodie Lighthouse...


...and all of us on the walkway to the wetlands overlook.


I know it's hard to tell from my photo, but this is the first ray I have ever seen in the wild!