Nights (and days) in Rodanthe

My office - upstairs on the left.

One of the great things about my adopted lifestyle is the pleasant surprises of unexplored territory.  After answering a help wanted ad in Workers on Wheels, and surviving a couple of intense phone interviews, I was hired to work this summer at an rv resort in Rodanthe, North Carolina.  Yes, Nicholas Sparks fans, that Rodanthe (don't think there's another one anywhere).  It was a long drive out here, all the way to the outer banks of North Carolina, but now that I'm here I love it!  My first day I had the morning off so I rode my bike about a mile north of my campsite to take a photo of the house from the movie and post it for Marie. 

Thinking of a visit?  Just take 40 to Raleigh then
head east til the map turns blue! 

So what's my job?  I sit in an office upstairs answering the phone and making reservations.  When there's a lull in the phones I stare out the window at all the campers and off in the distance to the Atlantic Ocean.  Does that mean I'm camped at the beach?
  Well, yes and no.
I'm actually set up in a site across the highway on the Pamlico Sound.  So I am "at the beach" but it's a short walk, or bike ride, to dip my toes in the salty water.  But on the sound side I enjoy absolutely gorgeous sunsets.  And there's usually fewer people on that side of the campground so it's much quieter too.  Either way, I'm loving it. 



Tina Piper - my first visitor from home.

Today and yesterday were my "weekend" and I just felt my way around the area.  Enjoyed meeting the folks at Pea Island Wildlife Refuge and will certainly be going up there next week for a bird walk early in the morning before the mosquitos get out and about (I wish).  Then I drove on up the 12 stopping for a look around Bodie Lighthouse before going over to Roanoke Island to do a little genealogy research.  It's a cool place and I will definitely get back over there to see the Lost Colony play while I'm out here.  Today I slept in a bit then drove south on the 12 to watch the ferry head out to Ocracoke and browse the shops, then had a great fresh shrimp wrap at a local café.  Yes, I think I'm getting the hang of this beach life.

Bird by Bird

 

 

Emperor Geese

The end of April meant the end of my stay as a camp host in Georgia.  Tough to say good bye to big brother and his family as I have so enjoyed being involved in their lives.  Matthew and MJ are growing so fast, and Mike is having so much fun playing out his grandpa role with them.  But the road is calling my gypsy soul.  Heading out this time to a new part of the country for me where I have signed on for the summer to a paying job.  Of course I will make time to explore the area and see what birds I can find. 

Flamingos, of course

Getting to my job meant driving through the far eastern part of North Carolina, the unexplored area that I mentioned earlier.  A stop at one of the state's awesome visitor centers led me to discover a true gem that I doubt many folks think of when they think of North Carolina.  In a tiny spot on the map called Scotland Neck a gentleman fulfilled his love for birds from all over the world by setting up a refuge for them.  Yes, birds from all parts of the world all under one roof, er, well, nets - lots of nets.  Even when I saw the busloads of school children in the park I was not deterred.  The park is so spread out that there was very little "traffic jams".  So, with all that said, I will stop the dialog and finish this blog post with pictures - lots of pictures.  Hope you enjoy.

Green Jay

Helmeted Curassow

Laughing Kookabura

Nene's (Hawaiian Geese)

 

Rosybill and plovers

Scarlet Ibis and Hyacinth Macaw

Toucan

Umbrella Macaws

West African Crowned Crane

White Faced Ducks

Whooper Swan

Black Necked Swans

Black Swan

Macaws (yes, there's one behind the post too)

Blue Crowned Pigeon

Cape Barren Goose

Common Shelduck

Demoiselle Crane nesting