A Little Tequila, A Little Princess, and a Big Ocean (OBX 7/21 - 7/25/2010) - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
Wow, that was a long trip to the dialysis clinic. (I know, I know... all in a day's work for you---but you're on vacation!) It's so great though, that now there are dialysis clinics most everywhere. Just a few years ago that wasn't the case and travel was very restricted for patients. Glad you were able to end the day right--with good food and the wild, wonderful beach.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Love, the update, The Beach at night sounds so cool, I just love the beach of any kind. How is the sand there is it really soft or harder? Sounds like an awesome trip, I too could do with some scallops! One of my favorite foods, yum.
Wow, fascinating about the crabs. I would've loved to have seen them - and that double dose of scallops sounded
The crabs are pretty amazing, and according to Brenda, so are the scallops!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Great pictures Kenny! Sounds like another great say!
Thanks, Marnie, it was another good day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Mmmmm, ice cream and double order of scallops! I could deal with that!
Yeah, it was nice, ahhhh Good!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Wow, that was a long trip to the dialysis clinic. (I know, I know... all in a day's work for you---but you're on vacation!) It's so great though, that now there are dialysis clinics most everywhere. Just a few years ago that wasn't the case and travel was very restricted for patients. Glad you were able to end the day right--with good food and the wild, wonderful beach.
I know all medicine has made long strides in just the last few years! I think in this day of computers and on-line devices, they should be able to co-ordinate between the insurance agencies, doctors, and hospitals and clinics so your records and all that could follow you on almost any trip... it's working to that end, I think, it's just not quite there yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinkyt177
Love, the update, The Beach at night sounds so cool, I just love the beach of any kind. How is the sand there is it really soft or harder? Sounds like an awesome trip, I too could do with some scallops! One of my favorite foods, yum.
I loved the beach at night! I wish the pictures would have turned out because the moon was just gorgeous. The sand was soft, in fact it was kind of difficult to walk in till you got close to the water. I liked the scallops... DW LOVED the scallops!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
A long but good day. The scenery looked nice on the way to the clinic.
It was a long drive, but beautiful! That was the good thing about it! We really did make the most of it.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
A Little Tequila, A Little Princess, and a Big Ocean (OBX 7/21 - 7/25/2010) Updated 10/07/10
Homeward Bound - or – Are the mountains ablaze... or is the sky on fire?
Well, it had to happen! The last day of vacation, and the day we had to leave the beach and go back to reality. The good news was it was a long drive, so the vacation would go on till late night. The bad news was it was a long drive, and I was on VACATION!!
First things first, though, we had to wake up!
Coffee, Coffee, Coffee!!!... and Janet is awake!
It took me a little longer to get woke up, but after a good walk with the dogs, I was ready for breakfast! We tried to eat up the cereal and fruit that we had left.
I'm trying to wake up and fix the camera... Now if those blueberries and strawberries don't look good... there's somethin' wrong with ya!
I think Princess wanted to stay...
We got packed and loaded up the car for the trip home, and said “goodbye” to the Cape Pines Motel.
Cars loaded... Goodbye Cape Pines!
Back we went on the familiar road up to Nag's Head and Kill Devil Hills.
Granny was wide awake, though.
As we got into Nag's Head we, of course, stopped by the Dunkin' Donuts to finish breakfast and get some coffee to go. Then we wanted to shop for T-shirts and other souvenirs. We found a place called “Wings” in Kill Devil Hills and stopped there and found shirts and salt water taffy and all kinds of things!
Finally, it was time to head away from the Outer Banks and head back towards Norfolk.
Driving through the tunnel under Chesapeake Bay
Then we were seeing the last of ocean waters till the next time.
The last of the ocean.....
I'm sure we did fast food for dinner somewhere between Norfolk and Richmond, VA. It was about 6:45 when we were climbing the Blue Ridge again and it was a beautiful evening with plenty of daylight left to get some photos. The only problem... there were no turnouts on the westbound side of the highway. So, we took the exit at the top of the mountain and started back down on the old road and found a turnout.
The view was breathtaking...
Janet and I had both gotten out for pictures at the turnout and after about 10 minutes we started back to the highway. It still was not dark, so Janet and Brenda continued taking pictures as we drove along.
The clouds were looking pretty interesting
A Virginia “Mooey Mooey”, as some would say...
We were near the VA/WV state line as the sun began to set. I'm not sure exactly where, but we could not decide if the mountains were ablaze, or the sky was on fire:
The rest of the ride home was uneventful, and after dropping Janet and Granny off at their respective homes, we finally got to our waiting sheets sometime after midnight.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Oh, my--those photos of the Blue Ridge sunset are amazing! That's a part of the world I've never seen and I really should rectify that.
I'll have some of the cereal with fresh fruit, please!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Wow, those photos of the mountains are awesome. They really do look like they're on fire.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous scenery!!!
I love those mountains. We caught the sunset pretty good. I didn't think the pictures would come out as good as they did, but Brenda and Janet just kept snapping pictures, and when I looked back through them, I was impressed with how much it looked like the horizon was just on fire!
Wow you definitely have some amazing pics, I love the tunnel pics, the perspective is really cool. the mountain pics are just incredibly beautiful as well. You've got some amazing photogs in your group. What a fun trip I can't wait to hear the wrap up.
A Little Tequila, A Little Princess, and a Big Ocean (OBX 7/21 - 7/25/2010) Complete
Recap and Final Thoughts
The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a beautiful, ocean getaway. It is so big, the beach can be just as crowded or uncrowded as you want. Most of the beaches have pet access with some restrictions, like you must have a 6' leash, or something. There are, at least 4 lighthouses that are easily accessible without a boat ride. Of these, the Bodie Light is currently getting remodeled, I imagine you will be able to climb it once the maintenance is complete. Ocracoke Island, accessible by a free ferry, has many interesting things to see, including another lighthouse, also being repaired, and inaccessible, at this time, but a beautiful lighthouse, just the same.
Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, and Kitty Hawk have all the stores and services you may need, as well as many restaurants, from fast food, to fine dining.
OBX is a wonderful vacation opportunity, with many vacation houses and hotel rooms available for rent to accommodate any size party at all. We just fell in love with the place for several reasons, I think.
1. The drive, for us, anyway, is a long day's drive, but a beautiful one that can be made in a day, if needed.
2. Uncrowded, pet friendly, beaches, accessible 24/7.
3. It is rich in history, from pirates to the first flight.
4. It's a great place to "get away from it all".
I hope you have the opportunity to see OBX first hand someday... maybe you will fall in love, too!
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Cassie
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Great last day! 
PassPorter Guide Author
They really do look like they're on fire. 
Linear Mode
