North Carolina Outer Banks and Lighthouse Tour

Hi, guys.

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to write about my trip to the beach and to see all the tall lighthouses. I’ve been quite busy with school, homework, birthday parties, and chasing frogs.

We were supposed to leave early Tuesday morning, but Mom delayed us with last-minute packing and she still forgot half of what we needed, like my puppy food, but I digress. Daddio loaded all of our things into the car and then he spread a blanket in the back seat for Dudley and me to curl up on while we road in the car. He’s really thoughtful, in case you didn’t know. Since I ride in the car with Mom and Daddio a lot, I knew how to sit politely on my blanket and watch the world through the window, but Dudley screamed his disdain at being relegated to the back seat instead of Mom’s lap, his preferred perch. Mom said riding in the front is dangerous, so Dudley was moved to his travel box where he eventually fell asleep, waking up periodically to howl his malcontent and then fall blissfully asleep again.

We arrived first in a place called Edenton to see a house built on tall poles right in the river. It was amazing. I’ve never seen that much water in one place, and I wondered how that house didn’t float away. On the way to see the house, Mom had to sit on a bench to interview for a job. She wasn’t expecting the phone call, so Daddio took care of Dudley and me while she talked. Dudley is so very naughty. He escaped from Daddio and Mom had to chase him while she was talking on the phone. Thankfully, Dudley’s little legs don’t go fast, so Mom was able to catch him without too much trouble. And she later bragged that the lady on the phone was none the wiser about her escapade while on the phone. Dudley had to go in his travel box again, but it works as a backpack, so Daddio carried him on his back while I got to see and smell everything. 

We got back in the car and headed to the next lighthouse on Mom’s list at a place called Nags Head, but first, we found our campground, a glorious spot with so much sand I thought I was back in Botswana. Wow! I hopped and jumped and dug while Daddio set up our tent. This was not my first time sleeping in a tent. Mom, Daddio, and I slept in tents a lot back in Botswana. After Daddio got us set up for the night, we walked over the dunes to see the ocean. 

Oh, my goodness! So much water. 

Mom explained to me that this ocean was the one I flew over in my magic box. I stared at the horizon thinking I might catch a glimpse of my African homeland, but I couldn’t see it. Mom said Africa is very far away, too far to see across the ocean, but I tried anyway. I miss my desert home with the goats, chickens, and monster donkeys. I mostly miss my doggy family and Mama Hanlie. But Mom says I will see my friends and family again. She promised, and Mom never breaks her promises.

The ocean water came crashing onto the sand like a stampeding herd of elephants and tickled my toes. I jumped and ran away. There was no way that ocean was going to eat me, no way! Mom tried to coax me back. Dudley wasn’t afraid at all. He chased Mom into the water, and he was delighted when it tickled his belly fur. Mom came and got me and carried me out to the water with her and it was okay; it didn’t bite me like I thought it would. I stood there to make her happy, but I wanted to run away again. That’s when it happened. All of sudden, Daddio plucked Dudley from the water and ran back onto the sand just before the big wave of water came crashing over my head and almost knocked Mom over. I thought we were going to drown and Mom laughed and laughed. Can you imagine? First, I’m a little put out that Daddio saved Dudley and not me, but mostly, I can’t believe Mom laughed. I might never trust her again. Mom was all wet, so we walked back over the sand dunes to our campsite and got in the car to see the Bodie Island lighthouse and then go the market for fresh fish to cook for our supper.

Dudley kept us awake all night, which none of us appreciated. I realize that he’s ancient and doesn’t see very well, but he makes up for poor eyesight with supernatural hearing. He heard every sound and barked to let us know all night long. Mom told him to hush. Daddio told him to be quiet. I growled at him and nipped him. Nothing worked. I think we should leave him at home next time, but I know Mom won’t do that. She thinks Dudley should be included in all of our adventures, even if I have to keep looking after him like the dutiful big brother I am.

The next morning, we headed to another island called Mom called Hatteras. The lighthouse there had a nice shop, so, of course, Mom had to look inside. She likes shopping too much. I waited politely outside and allowed strange humans to pet me, but I never took my eyes off the shop door so I wouldn’t miss Mom and Daddio when them came back outside. I wouldn’t want them to forget me. Also, I’m Mom’s protector; she can’t live without me, and I hope she knows that. 

Mom loves the camera, so Daddio and I obliged her by posing for lots of photos. Dudley can’t be trusted to behave in polite society, so he stayed in his travel box safely on Daddio’s back. He barked at humans a lot through the mesh window in his box. Humans laughed at him and some asked if Daddio would let them see him, so Daddio unzipped the box lid and Dudley’s head popped out to the humans’ delight. Dudley has no loyalty to Mom and Daddio, unlike me. Mom says that’s because he was already an old man by the time he came to live with our family. He loves all humans, especially women and will gladly go home with any willing lap.

Back in the car, we went, off to our next island, Mom called Ocracoke. We rode the ferry over the water. I’ve never ridden in a boat before and it was scary and thrilling. Mom took me up to the front to allow me to see over the edge. There was so much water! I strained against my tether to get as close as I could, but Mom pulled me back, worried I’d get dangerously close. She’s very protective of me, much like I am of her. We went back to the car and ate cheese and sausage on crackers for the rest of the journey. Dudley was allowed out of his travel box to sit on Mom’s lap. As usual, he slept, awoke at the slightest noise, howled, growled, and went back to sleep with a grumpy harrumph. 

When we arrived on Ocracoke Island, Daddio found us a very nice camping spot on the beach. Mom tied me to the picnic table while she and Daddio set up the campsite. Dudley remained in his travel box, because he pitches a fit when left alone. To be honest, he pitches fit in his box, too, when he’s not on Daddio’s back, but we get used to it. He’s very dramatic and high maintenance, but I love him. I think his mind is following his declining eyesight, but don’t tell Mom. She doesn’t approve of my teasing him. 

After we set up our tent and chairs, our little family of four walked over the dune to the beach. Mom was delighted and surprised to find it empty, no humans in sight anywhere. Since we didn’t have to worry about other humans, Mom and Daddio allowed Dudley and me to run free. Mom went to the water and tried to coax me to join her. No way I was falling for that again. I took off running, kicking up sand. All I needed was a few goats, chickens, and donkeys and I would have felt right at home. Dudley decided to run off on his own. Mom called to him, but he doesn’t listen as well as I do, so I had to rescue him yet again. When I realized he wasn’t coming back, I ran off to block his path and turn him around. He yelled at me, which was fine; I don’t mind when he yells because he also chases me, which I enjoy. I manipulated him into chasing me all the way back to Mom and Daddio. He was smiling so big. He loves me a lot, but he’s so grumpy that he refuses to admit it. When no one is around, he even snuggles with me. But he smells so bad that I sort of wish he wouldn’t get too close, but I don’t have the heart to nudge him away. Mom says he smells bad because he has something wrong with the tube that connects his mouth to his belly, so he regurgitates food into his mouth, which gives him bad breath, a smell he transfers to his body through obsessive licking. We all love him anyway and among his nicknames, like Doodle Bug, Mom also calls him Stinky, which makes me giggle on the inside. My nickname is Jack-a-roo, which I answer to just fine.

After frolicking in the sand, we went back to the car so we could visit the Ocracoke Lighthouse and then buy food for supper. Daddio grilled pork chops and mushrooms. I approved of the pork chops, but I don’t understand how humans can consume mushrooms. Gross! While Daddio was cooking, I spotted a creature I’ve never before seen. I froze, staring with unflinching eyes. Mom and Daddio saw me and discovered I was staring at a crab. That evil looking creature was the color of the sand and had pinching claws that it snapped menacingly at me. I ran to confront this thing from Hell. Mom warned me not to get too close or else I would get my snout pinched. I didn’t listen. I chased that creature back into its hole and stuck my snout as far into its hole as it could go. Then I discovered crab holes all around our campsite. We were surrounded. The danger was palpable. I ran from hole to hole, much as I did with meerkat holes back in Botswana. I never caught one of those pinching crabs, just like I never caught a meerkat, but I tried really hard, and I believe my presence kept them from attacking our tent in the night. I think this bravery makes me a hero.

We left for home the next morning. Mom needed to prepare for Daddio’s birthday. I think he might be even older than Dudley. Is that possible?

Bye for now.