“When I’m old, and you and Edwin want to surprise me for my birthday, where should you take me?” I asked, as Maxine and I sat in the hot tub, looking at the ocean and sipping on our ginger seltzers.
“Is this a quiz?” asked Maxine.
“Sure.”
“The beach?”
Good girl.
We arrived in Avon, NC yesterday evening for a four-night stay. I picked out a pet-friendly house so we could bring Sasha, and at the last minute, we decided to bring the cats, as well. I didn’t clear this with the owner, feeling pretty confident the answer would be no. I’m not proud of myself, but they’re being such good kitties. Besides, anyone who is allergic to cats would probably stay away from a pet-friendly rental anyway, right?
The drive wasn’t so bad once we got past Fredericksburg. When we were 15 minutes away from Kitty Hawk, we called in an order for oyster po’ boys for Chris and me and Beyond Burgers for the kids. We devoured them in the car; I think it was the best oyster po’ boy I’ve ever had: the bread was light and had the perfect subtle crunch on the outside (they call it an amoroso roll?), the oysters were golden fried, as advertised, and very fresh, and the remoulade had the perfect tang. If you’re ever in Kitty Hawk, look up Two Roads Tavern.
Our bellies full, we could now endure the last hour of the dark drive to Avon. I could feel my excitement rising as the car map indicated the ocean was just over the dunes on the left. I kept rolling down the window, trying to catch a scent of it, but the kids were cold and Chris was trying to listen to the Bills game, so I relented.
Finally, we pulled up to the house, smuggled in the cats, and unpacked. Well, I unpacked. I can’t relax until I put sheets on the bed, put my clothes in the drawers, and put all the food away. Then, it was time to see what I came for.
All we had to do was walk through the backyard and across the Avon Pier parking lot, and there we were: stars, sand, ocean. Sasha was beyond delighted to dig her paws in the sand, and I was finally back where I feel part of me always remains. After chasing Sasha and letting her chase me, gazing at stars, seeing how close I could get to the water without getting wet, and taking lots of pictures, Chris finally suggested we go back to the house. As we walked through the empty parking lot, I told him, “I don’t think I’ve ever left the beach thinking, ‘Well, I’ve had enough of that for the day.'” I guess that’s part of what makes it magical.
My Corner of the Village 