'our' nights in Rodanthe {arrival day}

 Ian and I frequently wonder just how we'll look back at these Covid days.  There has been so much 'hard'. So much loss.  So many frustrations.

And yet, there has been a gift of extra time, especially with our older kids...one more year of family being the center of their world before their social lives kick into high gear.  And there's been the mixed blessing of virtual academy ~ often exasperating in limitations but granting a new level of flexibility to be...well...virtual.

we hadn't even started unpacking the van yet had to stop to admire the view...

For all the 'yuck' this season of life has provided, it also has given us freedom to take 'school-cations' during the off season.

checking out the hot tub commenced approximately 58 seconds after we had gotten all the bags in the house

Which somewhat translates to 'the nicest house we've stayed in yet for nickels on the dime'.

(photo taken about six feet from getting my feet wet in the atlantic)

Off-season on the OBX brings another perk in addition to the crazy low prices.

After they tested out the hot tub, Ian and I took a quick mile walk down the beach while the kids settled in to temporary school/office for the week.  

of course off season can come with 'not quite swimming temps' as noted by our coats
but still, we can hear the pounding of the surf and smell the salt air!

We passed exactly zero people.  

This entire beautiful sea-scape all to ourselves.

I could get used to putting my feet up to 'just be' for a few minutes before dinner prep each night

the island here is less than 1/2 mile wide providing views of both the atlantic and the pamlico from the upper floor kitchen.

And the fact that depending on which direction I look while preparing dinner, from the kitchen I can either view the wildness of the atlantic or the sunset over the sound.

We did find one decided disadvantage of offseason in Rodanthe... (and if you know my family and our 'beach = ice cream' motto, you'll likely have to chuckle along with us on plan C for dessert) most ice cream shops don't open back up until Easter.  After passing numerous shuttered shops, it was Food Lion's MVP pints of Ben & Jerry's or Talenti for the win!  

There's ice cream ~ and adventure ~ left for tomorrow!

And just in case you're curious like me, from the Outer Banks . com visitor's guide...

"How do you pronounce Rodanthe?

Rodanthe is pronounced as a three syllable word with a long “O” and “E” sound – “Row-Danth-ee.” "