Epinephrine Adventures: October 2013

We decided to take a day trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Outer Banks is a 200- mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. The treacherous seas off the Outer Banks and the large number of shipwrecks that have occurred there have given the seas the nickname "Graveyard of the Atlantic.

The area is mostly a big tourist destination with lots of restaurants, shops and condos. I bet it would be a fantastic place to play in the water during the heat of the summer. Since we were there during the off season it was real nice and quiet.

We were shocked at the size of the houses or should I say mansions along the coast. Hundreds of them and 95% had rental signs on them. Do they all rent during the season? We looked up one little shack just to get an idea of what it rented for and this was a small run down place. During July $2150 a week!!! Can't even imagine what the HUGE ones rent for.

Just had to check out this little town..wonder why ! lol

Andy at Nag Head, NC. I said "at" not "is"..lol

What a wonderful place to hang out.

I can here it now! "Honey I want a beach view" that should shut her up..lol

I just had to talk to these good ole boys

Now that's a North Carolina Rig... Thinking of you Briana & Ryan

Fish on !

Andy took this picture

I have decided to get me a surf rod and gear. I will try fishing in the surf from here all the way down to the Florida Keys this fall and winter.

Yep... a Beer Drive Thru, Andy thought Coffee...lol I know people who would love these.

On our way to the Outer Banks we stopped at the Wright Brothers National Monument. The Wright brothers' first flight in a powered, heavier-than-air vehicle took place on the Outer Banks on Dec. 17.1903, at Kill Devil Hills near the town of Kitty Hawk.

There is a 45 minute presentation they you shouldn't miss. Extremely entertaining and educational.

Airplanes have come a long way in 110 years

We are now staying on the beach and the Intracoastal Waterway at the same time in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The RV park is 14 miles from where you enter the base but being right across the road from the beach is totally worth it! Camp Lejeune is the largest Marine Corps Base right outside of Jacksonville, NC.

Another Beach of a day for Andy....she loves it.

A real working "Telephone Booth". Giving up our cell phones now.

Intracoastal Waterway...thinking of Bud and Sue

Cat getting ready to hit the draw bridge.

We had such a great time in Las Vegas. We ran into Tommy and Tootie in the hotel lobby which kind of messed up my plan ! We planned on meeting in Vegas just not in the lobby while checking in. I was a little nervous but got over it quickly enough. lol

For some of you that don't know, most do however, Tommy is my other son, which I haven't seen since 1977. We went to dinner and lunches and just hung out for a few days. We spent a lot of time just talking and getting to know each other. They are both wonderful people and would like to really get to know them. We would really like to meet up with you guys again very soon.

Tootie, Andy and Tommy

Tootie, me and Tommy

If you take a closer look at those two pictures above you will see Tootie really giving Andy a hug. Andy said it's because... I am scary and she is not ! I just think Andy is just plain nicer !

We even made it to the "BlueMan Show". It was very different and entertaining. Glad we went...had a very good time.

Tommy and Tootie before the show started

After the "Blueman Show"...So Dang Cute ! Covered in toilet paper !

Catching the Water, Light and Music show at the Hotel Bellagio

Andy was so excited her daughter Michelle and fiance Pete were able to come to Portland, Oregon from Boise, Idaho. Oktoberfest in Mt Angel, Oregon...what a great time! Yes, I even drank a few beers! Seemed kind of un-German not too, lol.

Andy with her kids partying at Oktoberfest

Having a great time with Andy's kids and grandkids

Michelle & Pete

The Ladies

Andy was in heaven spending time with her grandbabies. She does miss them so much. That is the hardest thing for her about being on this adventure.

Hunter, Harlie & Kennedy


Special time with Harlie, Grammy's spoil time!

Andy's son turned 30 while we were there so there was a party at McMenamins. She is feeling officially old... having a kid 30 something!

Greg & his Beaver Football cake

His face after he noticed his Birthday Present..Oregon Civil War Game tickets

Andy and her good looking and smart babies ! But there is just something in their eyes...umm !

The main reason I went back to Oregon this time of the year is to go hunting with my boys and just enjoy the outdoors...well and to ride my Quad...lol Adam couldn't make the hunting trip since he didn't put in for the "tag" plus he had to work. So our hunting party was Brent, Greyson and myself.

We went hunting where we always go, for the past 10 years, Sisters, Oregon. Sisters, Oregon is on the Eastern slope of the Oregon Cascade Mountains, about 30 miles northwest of Bend, Oregon. There is plenty of game, the weather is normally very nice and it's so beautiful there.

The North Sister of the Three Sisters Mountains in the Cascade Mountain Range

Sunset on the Middle and North Sister of the Three Sisters Mountains

Let that little one go...to early in the season ! Good tender meat though...lol

My son Brent and I

Brent and Greyson ( The Mountain Men )

We spent 9 days and 8 nights hunting and camping in the mountains with a tent and cot. I think I am getting a liitle old for this. Will see next year ! LOL We saw lots of deer and had our chances but we came home empty handed...well, we always have next year...just like the Dallas Cowboys, 49ers, and Denver Bronco fans! ha ha

Andy here now: I had an amazing opportunity to spend a week in Orlando with my daughter Briana, she didn't have to ask me twice. I think I had the ticket booked before she finished asking :). We spent the first 2 days at Universal Studios. On the first day we checked out "Islands of Adventure" and on the second day "The Studios". Briana's co-worker Renee joined us for a couple of days and we had a blast.

After the white water rapids ride. You can certainly tell the two that have been hanging in Oregon..tanless, lol

Relaxing after a long day at the park at Hard Rock Orlando

Briana & Renee with Hogwarts Castle


Yes we did it!!

Briana & I spent most of the weekend doing what we both love best. Drinking good wine, making & eating yummy food and watching football!! We also had a wonderful day driving out and playing in the waves at Cocoa Beach. Thank you honey I had an incredible time!!

Otto, Andy's dad, is very involved with the Friends of the Carpenter. Every year they have a fund raising auction. Andy was gone to Orlando but I went them and had a wonderful time. Thanks Barbara and Otto for the invite and dinner.

I would also like to thank Barbara and Otto for letting me stay with them while I was back in Portland. I must also say thank you Barbara for all the nice things you have done for me. You are the greatest and sweetest. Yes I said "sweetest" ! I know...I know !!

Otto, Barbara (Andy's Parents), Tammy, her sister, and Tammy's best friend Barbara standing behind

One of the best things about being back was spending sometime with my son Adam and Kloee. Adam and I spent a lot of time watching football at "Big Al's Sports Bar". I think we had breakfast, lunch and dinner and spent over 10 hours there one day.

"LOVE"

Hanging out with Adam, Sean and Kloee at the aquarium in Milwaukie, Oregon. I didn't even know there was one there, it is Kloee's favorite place.

She loves her uncle Sean...Dang, she is cute !

Kloee the brave...Just love her !

Andy here again: It was so wonderful to be home and see all my family and friends. I miss you all so much but I am very excited to be back on the "Adventure" and to experience what the last half will have to offer.

I, Preston, didn't get a chance to see very many of my friends and old co-workers while I was back in Portland. The time just got away from me ! Hopefully I will do better next time.

We are now hanging out in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Taking the time to get a few things done and looking around.