We just got back from our family vacation to Ocracoke Island, NC. It was wonderful. It started off with a 10 hr train ride from Boston to Richmond, VA. Sebastien did very well and made friends with many strangers. Both on the way there and on the way back, he was being held and played with by many strangers who had him laughing and squealing. People liked to see him do his military crawl down the aisle. 
After meeting Brian, Crisin, Mom & Dad Szakaly in Richmond, we set out for NC the next day. Once in Cape Hatteras, we had to take a ferry to NC, which is the picture below.
After meeting Brian, Crisin, Mom & Dad Szakaly in Richmond, we set out for NC the next day. Once in Cape Hatteras, we had to take a ferry to NC, which is the picture below. 
We rented a beach house on the island for the week. It was beautiful, aside from the salty taste to the water. Here is a shot of the inside. 
In pure Marty Szakaly fashion, we went to see some historical things, including the Cape Hatteras lighthouse and museum. Below is a picture of us (minus Dan & Sebastien) in front of the Ocracoke lighthouse. 
Beach time! This was our first trip to the beach. At the beaches there, you drive your car onto the sand. Here is Granpa Marty & Grammy Patty under the canopy. Sebastien plays nearby. 
Grandpa & Sebastien on the ferry 
Cape Hatteras lighthouse. (Yes we climbed to the top!)
Kim, Dan, Sebastien, Brian & Cristin at the beach 
Beach baby, beach baby
Here's what the house looked like from the front. Brian can be seen walking his dog Cooper. Cristin's parents, Mac & Judy McDonnell, came up on Wednesday to stay and brought Cooper.
The backporch of the house was great. It overlooked the sound. Here's Brian, Cristin, and Mac. 
Cooper and Sebastien 
Sebastien's sleep schedule was very off all week. Instead of sleeping 8-7 like he normally does at home, here he slept from about 9-6. This picture was taken at exactly 6:00AM one morning. You can see Frank the Pelican (named by previous guests in the house) perched on his pole. 
One day we went on a tour of Portsmouth island, which is a deserted island off of Ocracoke. Our guides took us over by small boat and then we drove ATVs around the island. Below is the ATV driven by Mickey. 
Here's what's left of a sea turtle.
Kim & Brian in the ATV. After shelling for a bit, we drove down miles and miles of beautiful deserted beach. We saw some sea turtle nests too. Unfortunately bas weather was headed our way so we had to cut the trip short and didn't get to see the ghost town part of the island.
Check out the ominous weather. We could feel the air changing from warm to cold. It was scary! We made it back just in time.
Sunkissed!
Dan & Dad enjoyed the raw bar.
Uncle Brian met Sebastien for the first time this trip.
Dan dug Sebastien a little baby pool at the beach. Here he is enjoying it, even though it dried up.
Us in the "baby pool"
Kim & Mom - one of the last nights on the island.
Kim & Mom - one of the last nights on the island.
Brian & Cristin
And that's it!
