Blue and green

We went to the Air Force Academy parade on Friday. I had seen a USAFA parade before (in April, the last time I was here), but that one was smaller and held in an area called "the terrazo". This one was on the parade field. I loved seeing the blue of the uniforms against the green of the grass. Then, when the cadets saluted, the white of their gloves was added to the image. The flags added a few extra splashes of yellow, red, and gray. Finally, the band instruments provided flashes of silver, with light reflecting from the polished surfaces. It was a visual feast! Here are some photos so you can see what I mean.











After the parade, the family members were allowed on to the parade field to find their cadet. That was a mix of many colors!

An important meeting

I received the info. below in email today, and thought I would pass it on in case anyone is interested in this topic.

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The Ocracoke Community Center has been held for this coming Wednesday, 9/3, at 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM for a meeting for those interested in the upcoming Negotiated Rulemaking Committee meeting in Avon on Sept 8 and 9.

I know David Scott and I believe Gene will be able to come.

Agenda-

• Quick background of what the Negotiated Rulemaking Process meetings are suppose to accomplish (for those who are unsure)

• What has happened in the past at the meetings- what has been said-who has spoken

• Explain what is at stake if the community does not get involved, for example-a
"wilderness area" out of South Point is on the table as a starting point

FYI- We already have no sound side access at South Point year round as of Wednesday this past week. It is the only closure in the entire Cape Hatteras Seashore besides the turtle nests hatching.

Since the Spur Road off of South Point no longer goes to the sound and Springer's Point has no parking facility, Ocracoke's only sound side access is limited to above the Pony Pens for clammers, crabbers, kayakers, and families with small children, and those disabled who want to swim in the calmer sound waters, unless they are fortunate enough to own a boat or have waterfront property. Folks who come to Ocracoke, many for 30 plus years, want to be able to enjoy these recreational pursuits, which is reasonable since we are an island.

Most of those folks are parking along Hwy 12 and walking through the marsh or at Prong Road behind the ferry. Or as those with water lots will acknowledge, folks are parking on their lots in the village and accessing the sound across their property.

Access is not just about ORV access, this includes pedestrians. This is not just beach access, this is access to the inlet and sound waters.

• What do interested folks need to do?

Come to the meeting Wednesday
Speak out at the Sept 8 or 9 meeting in Avon
Write a letter to submit at the Sept 8 or 9 meeting
Call or fax Senators and Congressman

Thanks-
Melinda Sutton

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If you are interested in keeping up with what's going on regarding beach access and potential closures, here are a couple of resources for you:

Island Free Press - online newspaper for Hatteras and Ocracoke

Tradewinds Tackle Message Board

Visiting Alex

I've blogged before about my friend Julie and her son Alex. He's a cutie and has been exceedingly generous in sharing his outgrown clothes, toys, and other baby items with Connor. (Well, I guess Julie is really the one who has been generous - I don't suppose Alex had much say, although I'm sure he didn't mind!)

Anyway, we stayed with Julie, Alan, Patrick, and Alex on Wednesday night before flying to Colorado on Thursday. It was great to see them and get a bit caught up on things. I love watching Alex grow, as it provides a sneak preview of what's coming next for Connor!

Here they are together, on Julie's lap:

High and dry

I'm in Colorado again, and I had forgotten how different it feels here, over a mile above sea level. The altitude makes me feel dizzy and somewhat ill (if my last trip is any indicator, this will only last for the first day or so). And the dry, thin air has an effect as well: my lips are parched, I'm constantly thirsty, and I run out of breath trying to sing.

Okay, enough complaining! It is beautiful here: the weather has been lovely, the mountains are gorgeous, and I enjoy visiting my sister on "her turf" (the Air Force Academy). We are here for Parents/Family weekend and as such have been able to see more areas of the campus than are usually open to the public. More on that later.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy your holiday weekend, wherever you are!

Flying is a pain

I previously thought that flying was a somewhat annoying process (although I fully understand the need for all the security measures). I had no idea how lucky I had it, though. You haven't experienced the true maximum level of annoyance that flying can provide until you have flown with a four month old baby. Connor actually was GREAT, only crying for a few minutes on one of the flights, but just the process of carrying a baby, and a diaper bag, and a camera, and a purse, and a laptop, and another carry on bag, through three airports can make even the happiest of people slightly frazzled. And trying to fold the stroller in a small jetway, with other passengers glaring at you when it takes a moment, is most enjoyable. (She said, sarcastically.)

As if that wasn't enough, then you look up and see another woman: calm, cool and collected, her makeup is perfect, her baby is smiling in the Baby Bjorn carrier, and all seems right in her world. Wow, being a parent is a humbling experience. Instead of throwing something at the perfect lady (which is what I wanted to do), I decided to learn from her instead. So on our way home, Connor will be in the Snugli carrier too. I still won't be wearing makeup and I can't promise calm, cool, and collected, though. But I should be faster at folding the stroller quickly, now that I've had three airports worth of practice.

Hope your travels (for this holiday weekend and any future trips) are as painless as possible, wherever you go!

Goin' on a trip...

One thing that is different when you live on Ocracoke and you go somewhere is you can't just leave home any old time...especially if you are taking one of the mainland ferries to start your journey. This means that you SHOULD be organized and pack in advance. Even more so if you are a project manager whose job it is to be organized and plan things out logically. If you are me, however, SHOULD is the operative word in that sentence and you are still in the midst of packing at 11:30 the night before you have to leave your house at 5:55 AM to get to the terminal by 6:00 AM to claim your reservation on the 6:30 Swan Quarter ferry.

Me being me, and that being the case, this is the end of this blog! I've gotta go finish packing so I can get a modicum of sleep!

Seen from and on the ferry

I have seen some strange and wonderful things while riding the ferry.

Here's the latest strange (i.e. slightly odd/different) sight:



What is it, you ask? I'm reasonably sure it's a duck blind.

Here's the latest wonderful sight:



That's the sun rising over the ferry as it leaves for Cedar Island. You have to be on the early ferry to Swan Quarter to catch that sight!