We Love the Outer Banks - Part 2 - Where "Carrico's Theory of Relativity" is Explained

We Love the Outer Banks – Part 2

     You don’t have to be Einstein to realize that clocks move faster and time slips by at greater speed when you are on vacation.  Call it the "Carrico Theory of Relativity".  One day it’s Sunday and you are unpacking the car and you turn around twice and its Thursday.

     We have had a great weather week despite some low temperatures at night. It has been sunny enough that we have been able to spend “quality time” daily on the beach with our two year old Australian Shepherd (Meeko) who is having the time of his young life.  He likes the surf  - alternately barking at and then jumping in the waves.  He has learned to catch a Frisbee (this still needs some work, but he’s trying) and is intrigued by the surf fishermen.  He still has a problem trying to eat random objects like skate egg casings, but we’re working on that as well.

     On Monday we got out our bicycles and started exploring Duck, N.C. on very wel- constructed bike paths.  We made the obligatory grocery run to Harris-Teeter (remembering fondly when we had a decent grocery store in Lynchburg) and bought some fresh Mahi-Mahi to grill at a local store called "Tommy's Gourmet Market and Wine Emporium".  We liked the name.  We also bought a half pound of shrimp, so I hope Dr. Dan Carey, my cardiologist, doesn’t read this.    It was shorts weather on Monday and we took full advantage with lots of beach time in addition to bikes and dog training.

     We did find one store just for Meeko - The Outer Barks in Duck.  They have every dog accessory imaginable.  Meeko got a new pirate kerchief.  We are returning Friday at 5 for "Yappy Hour" where they serve doggie beverages and doggie treat hors d'oeuvres.

     On Tuesday we met up with Gary Smith, an old friend from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington who has lived in Corolla since 1996 and owns and runs the Corolla Surf Shop.  Gary spent a good bit of the day showing us the sights and different neighborhoods in Corolla.  There are multiple year-round homes for sale, and this may very well suit for a retirement destination.  We haven’t been bold enough to contact a realtor yet.  We even took Ellen’s Xterra Pro-4X on its maiden off road adventure!  We rode the beach North towards Carova looking for wild horses but, alas, didn’t see any.   Gary is very entrenched in the local community and was an invaluable source of information for us.  Thanks, Gary!  Gary also has a surfing school he runs out of the Surf Shop and he says most of his students are rank amateurs, so if you’re vacationing down here and want to learn to surf, I’d recommend connecting with Gary. They even take internet reservations prior to your arrival! We had some amazing fish tacos for lunch at a restaurant whose name I can’t remember.  I’m sorry there isn’t much photographic evidence of this day as we were having too much fun catching up and chatting to stop and take pictures.

                                             Gary, from his Facebook page:

     On Wednesday we drove down to our old stomping grounds in Manteo and Nags Head.  It was sad seeing the decaying remains of The Weeping Radish, one of our favorite restaurants and micr-breweries of all time.  It was exciting seeing a nice new bookstore, “Duck’s Cottage Downtown,” which has replaced an old favorite, Manteo Booksellers on Sir Walter Raleigh Street.  We puttered around the Outlet Mall and finally landed at Sam and Omie’s, a fantastic local restaurant on Virginia Dare Trail in Nags Head.  Sam and Omie’s remains one of the few constants on the ever-changing Outer Banks, having been there seemingly forever.  The employees are great and the food is even better.

Potato Skins ("Bippity-Boppity-BACON!")

                                                            Grilled Tuna

                                                    Flounder Special:

     So, following Carrico’s Theory of Relativity, it’s now Thursday when it feels like it should be like Tuesday at the latest.  We have kids and relatives coming in for the weekend, so we look forward to that.  We have enjoyed our quiet time but relish the thought of a houseful of folks!  The grill is ready, beer is in the fridge and, who knows?  Maybe somebody else will walk the dog!!