Surfside Beach, South Carolina to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina 2/1/14

FEBRUARY 1, 2014 (Saturday)

February already. Can’t believe how fast time is going by.

Woke up to grey skies and it feels cooler than it is. We were up and out of our old “home” by 9:45 AM. We went down the street (a very short drive) to get breakfast (me at McDonald’s egg white McMuffin, and Michael and Lexi at Subway. Both McDonald’s and Subway were almost next door to each other). After we got our breakfast, we headed to the Post Office, about a mile away. The car has accumulated so much stuff (we blame Lexi), that it’s getting harder and harder to pack – so we mailed stuff to our place in Prunedale and asked our friend/renter to put it in the shed for us.

Lex and I like the flat bread egg white with ham sandwich.

Sent off two packages and that allowed Lex to breath while sitting in the car. — Sent off two packages and that allowed Lex to breathe while sitting in the car.

Somebody getting a ticket. We try to stay within the spirit of the law.

Didn't get very far and found another person having a bad day. — Didn’t get very far and found another person having a bad day.

The move today is from Surfside Beach, South Carolina to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. It’s about 200 miles and took us about four hours. We were slowed way down in Jacksonville, North Carolina due to a horrible accident where a car went off the Sewell Bridge. At least one person was killed. We think the accident happened because of the buildup of the snow and ice along the guardrails. There must have been forty police and safety personnel. We also saw another accident near Atlantic Beach, but it didn’t look as bad.

Watching for the dotted line that means the state line.

North Carolina State Sign. — North Carolina state sign.

We gassed up and missed the 2.99 a gallon. — We gassed up and missed the $2.99 a gallon.

There is a lot more remnant snow here that there was to the south. — There is a lot more remnant snow here then there was to the South.

There are lots of Marine's around here, Lex is excited! — There are lots of Marines around here. Lex is excited!

I like, "Pardon our noise, It's the sound of freedom" — I like, “Pardon our noise, It’s the sound of freedom”

Traffic came to a stop for quite a while. We thought it must be an accident.

On both sides we saw the flashing lights.

Didn't look good, especially when we realized it was a bridge. — Didn’t look good, especially when we realized it was a bridge.

We heard on the news later that a man died and his body was recovered. — We heard on the news later that a person died and the body was recovered.

Looked to us like the ice provided the burm for the car to climb the rail and plummet over the side.

We stopped for gas ($3.32 gallon) and a potty break, and then drove a while until we got hungry and stopped at a Wendy’s. It was then a relatively short drive after linner into Atlantic Beach. We got here a little bit before 4:00 PM (when they want you to check in). We had to drive across a long bridge that connects the outer banks area to the mainland. There is a security guard near the entrance, and the check in was a little difficult to find, but registration was quick and easy. We were told the snow and ice was very unusual for this area.

It is 55 degrees, and still piles of snow, must have had a lot.

We can tell we are close to the water again.

Good grief, another accident. Driving is the most dangerous thing we do.

We got to our unit and it’s lovely. We’re on the second floor so we get to see the ocean. Beautiful decorations, granite counter tops, very nicely equipped, feels and looks very clean. Nice large master bedroom, master bathroom with granite and two sinks, plus a huge tub. Lexi’s bedroom has two twin beds (not her favorite), but it’s very pleasantly furnished and has her own television. There are two dining tables, don’t know why, but it’s a lovely living room/dining room area. I think we’re going to really enjoy our new “home” for this week.