"Vacation, All [We] Ever Wanted."

This summer, I spent nearly every day counting down to our August 27th departure to Corolla, located in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I couldn't wait to make up for the lost time we endured last year when Hurricane Earl chased us away from our much-needed vacation. Surely, this year would be every bit the vacation we needed. Then . . . Hurricane Irene appeared in the days leading up to our much-anticipated trip. And this is where we found ourselves on August 27th: at home, facing the hurricane as it traveled up the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. 

Thankfully, Irene spared Washington, D.C., leaving only puddles in her wake (well, at least in our neighborhood).

And while our vacation destination was still officially evacuated (by the way, thank goodness for travel insurance!), we decided to hit the road on Monday, destination Williamsburg and the Kingsmill Resort, which would place us closer to the Outer Banks if and when the evacuation was lifted.

Then, we received word that Corolla would be open to visitors that Tuesday. Ever-so gratefully, we headed south to our vacation home, "The Poole House," where we would spend the next four nights. 

After that, sadly, it was time to return home - much too soon. But we were home to enjoy the Labor Day weekend and made the most of one evening by taking the water taxi from Old Town to the National Harbor, where we happened upon "Abbey Road on the River," a Beatles cover-band extravaganza.

Once we settle into our post-vacation routine and I find some free time, I plan on posting pictures and notes about each of our beloved, adventurous vacation days. For now, though, I've placed pictures of our trip here.