Last week while Steve was in Charlotte, Sarah took ourselves off on a Sunday afternoon trek.
We picked up some food that we ate while gazing at the iconic Bodie Island Lighthouse.
A few miles up the road from the lighthouse, we went in search of a shipwreck.
We had never been to this particular Outer Banks beach and it was amazing to see how wide it was from shoreline to dune. We felt like we were a thousand miles from civilization.
This particular ship (actually, a 73-foot long, steel-hulled fishing trawler) washed up on this spot in March. It had run into trouble in the navigation channel and the crew was airlifted by the U.S. Coast Guard. The boat eventually meandered its way to shore.
As we headed back to Sarah’s car, I was thankful for perfect weather, good company, and a peaceful afternoon.
Ken is still holding steady in hospice in Charlotte. We realize the call could come any moment so we are living in light of that call. Grateful to have him on this earth with us a little longer but will welcome the news that his journey Home is completed.
We haven’t had a roll call here in a couple of years.
I would love it if you would take a second to comment with your location (add country if not in the U.S.) And to make it even more intersting, if you see a location that you have been to, leave a comment and say one thing you remember or enjoyed from that visit.
Also, just for fun, let us know the average gas price in your area. (It’s about $1.70 here.)
(And if you’ve never left a comment, this is your big chance!)
Hi Becky,
I too am a long time follower , at least 13 years or so I believe . It’s been a delight watching Sarah over come and grown into such a beautiful adult! I’m from the northern suburbs of Chicago and gas here is $2.40 a gallon .
Sarah,
A thirteen-year person. Hooray! Thank you so much for sticking with us all along the way.
2.40 for gas is higher than us but at least not as high as it’s been in past years. We’ll take what we can get, right? 🙂
I’m Ellen. I’ve left comments here and there over the years so you may remember me by now, but I’ve been here since the Sarah’s Spot days. I lived in Pennsylvania all my life until I was 34 when I moved to Raleigh, which was about 4.5 years ago.
These photos are stunning. I’m dying to get back to the ocean but since I’m not a native of the coast I don’t know which beaches to go to that won’t be packed with other people dying to get back to the ocean. ? I guess I’ll just have to live through your photos for now.
I guess gas here is about $1.80.
Ellen,
Yes, I DO remember you!
Pennsylvania is such a gorgeous state–so many beautiful country roads for meandering.
Thanks so much for your encouragement on my photography. So blessed to be near some wonderful picture-taking spots. The beach that I took the shots at is so large (and a little out of the way) that it might be a good place to go. It’s a left turn immediately before the Oregon Inlet bridge on Hwy 12.
Kate from Sheffield, England here. It has just dawned on me that I have been reading your blog for 16 years! Wow! Back then, I lived in Brighton, England (as far south as you can get before falling in the sea) and worked in IT for a London finance firm. Now I live in the North and I’m deputy principal in a very deprived inner city elementary school. It brings in a lot less money, but was the best career move I could have ever made. And I’m a Mum of two girls! A very long time ago, I now realise, I bought a copy of your CD, Like a Blanket, which you kindly posted to England.
Thinking of you all during this strange global lockdown period.
Kate,
How lovely to hear from you and to know that you have been reading for sixteen years. PLUS, you live in England so that gives you extra points with the Smith Women. 🙂
Going from a London finance firm to deputy principal in an inner-city school is quite a career move–and it sounds like you are very fulfilled by it. Good for you! I can’t imagine how rewarding it is to know you are making a life-long difference in kids’ lives.
Thanks again for reading all these years. It is amazing to me to have wonderful, long-term Smithellaneous friends.
IL here! Nothing exciting which is good; though schools and most businesses have been closed since the 2nd week in March. I have so many friends who’s children won’t be able too to graduate, such a foreign concept for us.
Jodi,
Yes, I agree. Graduates not being able to have their ceremonies is such a sad thing. It’s incredible all the many ways our lives are affected by this virus.
Always good to hear from you!
As always, your beach pictures are beyond stunning!! I’m in Mesquite, TX (Dallas) by way of southern West Virginia, Kinston/Deep Run, NC (thus my LOVE of the Carolina coast), Atlanta, GA, & Marion, Arkansas (metro Memphis, TN). Our gas now is about $1.55 after dropping as low as $1.28 (or $.78 after my Kroger discount).
Continued prayers for Ken, Vernie and all of your family…And I absolutely loved Sheri’s comment.
Sue Ellen,
I was just thinking yesterday that I would love to visit TX again. I’d love to spend several days just driving the backroads; I know you have plenty of them!
Speaking of back roads, I’ve never even heard of Deep Run so I had to Google it. Looks like a pretty little town.
.78 a gallon? That is LOWER than low!
I am from tiny town in central Maine, called Sangerville. We are so small that we don’t have any traffic lights. We do have one gas station; and the price of gas in $1.86.
JLB,
No traffic lights? That’s small! 🙂 I looked at some photos; lovely spot. Definitely Nikon-worthy. 🙂
Hi, a rare commenter raising my hand. I’m Wendy, I’m from the UK, and I think I found you just after Sarah was first ill and in the early stages of active treatment way back when! At that time I was a very green scientist and at the time was working on neural differentiation of stem cells…I’m guessing I must have stumbled across Sarah’s story somewhere in my scientific readings and have read regularly ever since! Having converted our price per litre, into US gallons (which are different from our gallons) and then from sterling into US dollars we are paying around $5.58 per gallon…which is about 30% cheaper than it was at its worst a couple of years back but still pretty eye-watering! Stay safe and well.
Wendy,
Wow! I am impressed by your mathematical prowess in getting the price of gas converted from there to here. I can’t even imagine $5.58 a gallon. My lovely back road meanderings would have to be severely curtailed if gas cost that much here.
I loved the story of how you found us! Even though you were studying things that related to Sarah’s disease, it’s still amazing to me that her story landed in your life. So thankful it did and so thankful you have continued to stick with us through the years. Thank you for that and thank you for all the research and study you have done over the years to help all the Sarahs out there.
I’m from upstate SC. Gas is around $1.59/galloon here. I think. LOL, it seems forever since I’ve bought gas.
I have been reading your blog since Sarah was about 7, but I don’t know that I’ve ever commented.
I love your pictures and would love to visit Manteo sometime! Prayers for your family!
Lysa,
Hooray! ANOTHER new commenter. You all are making my day! 🙂
Please DO pay Manteo a visit. You will love it.
Hey from Wilson, NC. Gas here $1.59 to $1.89. Prayers for your sweet family and Vernie and Ken.
I hardly ever comment and hadn’t in years. Not a very good writer. More of a talker. Just wanted to say, I was in Manteo last summer visiting some friends and I was telling them I kept up with someone that lived there and that her husband was a preacher. I told her your names and low and be hold she knew of you and that you all lived in her neighborhood. On that Sunday afternoon, we were sitting on the porch and Sarah and Steve came walking by. I wanted to go up and talked to them but I didn’t want to intrude on their Sunday afternoon walk. I have often wished I had. I hadn’t checked in in awhile until a week or so ago. So happy that Sarah is doing so well and I pray for you. You are such an inspiration to me. Love and hugs.
Joy,
What a great story about seeing Steve and Sarah walking. They wouldn’t have minded at all if you’ve said something to you. Steve, especially, never meets a stranger.
Thanks so much for leaving a comment even though you’d rather talk than write. I truly do appreciate it.
First time commenter here from Sydney Australia – I have been following since before Smithellaneous even existed! I love all of your photos Becky but these shipwreck photos are particulary gorgeous and have really hit a chord – I love the beach and am missing it very much. Such wide open spaces mean I They are evoking a good kind of melancholy involving memories of happy beach days past and a longing for more in the near future.
Lucy,
First-time commenter. Yay!
I would love to visit your beautiful country; I know the pictures don’t do it justice.
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the shipwreck pictures. I wish I had brought my Nikon but my iPhone did a pretty good job.
I’m so glad to know the pictures provided you with some happy, fond memories. And sometimes melancholia gets all mixed in together, doesn’t it?
Whatever the emotion, I’m glad you have some beach day memories.
Thanks again for commenting.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Right now it’s about $0.78 a Litre. However for years it was well over a dollar. Our provincial economy is dependent on oil and this industry is struggling and the gas prrices have crashed.
Jenna,
Always wonderful to see your name pop up here!
I’m sorry these past few weeks have been so hard on your area. I hadn’t realized your province depended so heavily on oil. Such difficult times for so many. Hugs to you and your sweet family.
Silverdale, WA. Gas is about 1.99/gallon.
Jessie,
You’re a little higher than us but still not bad. Nice to see a reader from Washington!
Western Massachusetts. An hour ago I paid $1.88/gallon including a ten-cent rewards card discount,
Lin,
Are you a new commenter? Don’t remember seeing your name. If so, thank you for commenting! 🙂
Massachusetts is SUCH a lovely area. We have been there a few times and loved it.
Hi Becky,
Gas in my part of Pittsburgh is about $2.09 – $2.19 per gallon.
Loved your photos, but you know how I feel about your photography skills ?? we need to talk about it sometime.
Keeping Ken, Vernie and all the Smith family in my prayers as Ken is nearing the end of his earthly journey.
Hugs and blessings,
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
I have truly appreciated your Photographic Encouragement throughout the years. Thank you for that!
Gas here in Roanoke Rapids, NC, is $1.89. Cheaper a little further up and down I 95. One summer Jim and I visited four NC Lighthouses. I took pictures. It was the year Hatteras was moved. They are framed and in my den. Love to visit them even we don’t go inside. We visited Currituck, Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke. Love my pictures. Prayers for Ken, Vernie and y’all.
Ann,
I loved seeing your photos on Fb. Each one represents such good memories. There’s just something special about lighthouses.
Thank you for your prayers for the family.
Good morning from Kent, WA ( south of Seattle and just a few minutes from Federal Way, which is where another commenter is from!). Gas prices here are about $2.00-$2.25, depending on the gas station. About 15 years ago I visited a friend in Virginia, and we took a day trip to the Outer Banks. The Bodie Island lighthouse was one of our stops and I still have a framed print that I brought home with me because I just loved it (I’ve always been fascinated by lighthouses). It was nice to see a current picture. I would love to go back someday!
Ronna,
How fun to see another commenter so near you. Your gas seems to be a bit higher than in other places.
I’m so glad you’ve had a chance to visit the Outer Banks and even see the exact lighthouse Sarah and I just visited. So fun to share experiences. Come back and visit this lovely spot again!
I love these pictures. The ship wreck is so cool. And I love lighthouses. We would go to Maine every summer when we lived in Boston when I was in High school. I miss that.
I am in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Yes, it really does get THAT cold in the winter. But, we do have a spring and summer. It’s been in the 70’s here with beautiful blue skies.
Gas here is $1.49.
Continuing to pray for Ken, Vernie and all of the Smith’s!
Krista,
I imagine your son would love to run across that beach and see the shipwreck. 🙂
Summer visits to Maine sound wonderful! Such a beautiful state.
Enjoy your beautiful, blue skies!
Good morning from Federal Way, WA (South of Seattle). Currently, gas is down to 1.89 (at Costco). Memories…the fact that I have actually been to all 50 states is a big one for me. Also having done several HUGE road trips with my husband and daughter…the last one in 2017 was about 85 days, 15K miles..included Cananda and the United States.
Nicole,
Visiting all fifty states is a HUGE thing. Definitely on my bucket list.
Seems like almost everyone is seeing gas under 2 dollars. What a nice change.
Good Morning Becky: Mel from Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. I had to do a few mathematical equations for our gas price and I am still not sure that I am totally correct because my husband always says there are also two different size gallons. (Not sure how that works) Our price is currently around 70 cents per litre which sounds good except that it takes 3.78541 litres to make a gallon. On top of that…..it costs us about $1.35 to get a U.S. dollar so in the end we are currently paying approx. $3.56 a gallon which is still very good since we are used to paying around $5.60 per gallon. Prayers for the Smith family.
Mel,
You get the award for the most complex answer. That was a lot of cipherin’!
I can’t imagine ever paying $5.60 a gallon. Enjoy your “lower” prices!
Hi Becky! You all are in my prayers, especially your dear Ken for a peaceful trip Home to Him. I’m in Corvallis, Ore. currently. Our gas prices are in the 1.95-2.05 range for regular unleaded.
Brooke,
Home to Him. I love that phrase.
Nice to hear from an Oregon-er!
This morning we read an article on Fox News about your ship. Was thrilled see your photos and read about your visit. Must say, they should have used your pictures. ?
2) May God’s perfect timing be done for Steve’s father’s homegoing. ?
3)Our gas prices are close to yours. Which is not surprising, being within 2 hours. ?
Always love your posts. Thanks!
Cheryl,
Isn’t that crazy that you just read about that same ship as I posted about? I can’t believe Fox News would cover it because it’s not a huge event but still fun to hear about it twice!
Yes, we are trusting in the right timing for Ken to go. Can’t imagine it being too much longer.
I live in Worth IL, a southwest suburb of Chicago. Gas is currently $2.29-$2.35 a gallon.
Mary,
We’ve been through/near Chicago a few times in our lives; don’t love the traffic but love all the cool buildings.
You seem to be a little higher price there than in other areas. But it’s still not bad!
Good evening from the DC/Maryland line! Our gas prices are hovering around $2.00. I haven’t been to any of the places listed above. I am not very well traveled but if I could I would go to Austria and Ireland.
Lesley,
Ireland. Be still my heart! That country has always been on The List.
Hope you and Sarah are keeping each other good company during this unusual season. Always love it when her smiling face pops up on FB.
Good evening from Enterprise, AL! Our gas prices are about $1.49 right now and have been holding steady. I expect they’ll start going up again now that everything is starting to open back up. We’re hoping to be able to visit or have a visit from our son and daughter-in-law from Atlanta soon. It’s been way too long. Praying for peace for you all and for Ken and his care givers as well.
Gayle,
Wow. Your price is one of the lowest I’ve seen! Enjoy those cheap miles.
Here’s hoping you get to see your family soon. I know you miss them.
Right now our gas prices range from $1.79 to $1.89. About 4 weeks ago it was $1.09 and, of course, no where to go since our vacation had been cancelled. We have vacationed in Aruba and the resort we have stayed at has a chapel. Spent a few times in there – very peaceful. There is a large grocery store about 1 1/2 blocks from the resort. Have a fantastic bakery and they have the best tiramisu I’ve ever had. Weather isn’t bad either!
Sharyn,
$1.09? That is unreal! It IS a bit frustrating to have cheap prices and not be able to travel.
A resort with a tiramisu-serving bakery nearby sounds like a lovely vacation to me!
Love the pictures…they bring peace to this crazy world. Thank you for sharing a little part of your world.
Judy,
There’s something about a blue sea and even blue-er sky that makes the chaos a little calmer.
Thank you for comment.
Good afternoon from St. Louis. Gas at the station around the corner is at $1.59.
Praying for peace and comfort for Ken and the whole family.
Janet,
Nice to have a station right around the corner! Steve and I were in St. Lous many years ago. I will NEVER forget Union Station.I absolutely loved it.
Thank you for your prayers for Ken and the family. Waiting is hard.
Wake Forest, NC, by way of Leawood Kansas and Caldwell, NJ, I haven’t gotten gas in awhile and I actually never notice the price. I was trying to reply to Phyllis’ comment as Overland Park is dear to my heart, we lived in that area of Kansas for 16 years and I miss it so much, my son has had numerous apartments there after we moved to NC and is moving back in August…..Phyllis, we lived at 143rd and Mission….
Dale,
Hmmm. Not sure why you can’t reply to a comment. I’ll have to look into that.
But it’s fun you got to see a comment from a person living in a place you love!
Kingston Oklahoma here, sheltering in home due to chemo and lymphoma, missing the beach! gas prices in Sherman Texas where I have to go for chemo is $1.08. Prayers for your family!
Peggy,
May you have an extra dose of peace during this difficult time of cancer treatment. My heart is with you.
Good afternoon from Overland Park, KS (in KC Metro area). I’m at my parents in El Dorado Springs, MO today where gas was $1.39 when I filled up this morning; however,, it was $1.54 about 2 hours later!
Beautiful pictures!
Phyllis,
That’s a big jump in a short amount of time. I always wonder how local gas stations decide on their prices.
Glad you enjoyed the photos!
Hello from Bloomington, IN. Our gas prices right now are $1.90
Great pics of the beach, and shipwreck. Beautiful area.
Stay safe!
Rebecca,
It’s so nice to see the prices under 2 dollars in most places.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. It truly was a beautiful day to go shipwreck hunting.
Baltimore, Maryland, and gas is $1.84. That beach looks beautiful! Love the pictures, and would love to visit there someday! The Atlantic can be so rough, but that area, with the wide beach, looks so peaceful!
Ann,
Yeah, the Atlantic has been a bit rough this week as a tropical storm has come through. I love seeing all the moods of the ocean.
I’m from Winston-Salem, NC and have been following your story since around 2008. Gas around here is $1.75 and was twenty-three cents cheaper a couple of weeks ago.
For those who say you can fill up your tank, but you cannot go anywhere. I disagree as you can go anywhere you want, you just cannot get out of your vehicle!
Lib,
Yes, just driving around without interacting with anyone is a fun way to get out of the house. I’ve done that a few times myself, just driving through the country.
Hi Becky! I’m in Waynesville, NC. Gas is $1.69 right now. I’m praying for you guys! Maybe we will make it back to your neck of the woods again some day…? If you all come west please come visit. You would absolutely the love the views, the quaint style of our town And the thrift stores ROCK!
Tammy,
We were in Waynesville a very long time ago; I remember it being such a beautiful area.
Hope you can make it back to Manteo for a visit. Hugs to the family.
Good morning. I used to write you from lincoln, ne, but i live with my son and his famy and we all moved to spring hill, ks for his job. I have been following you for many yeats. Wish i could walk on the beach eith you.
Sharon,
From Nebraska to Kansas. You’ve really been getting around.
Thanks for following our family for so long. Blessing to you today.
I finally got logged back in! Still in St. Louis. Gas here at Sam’s Club is $1.55 for regular and $1.94 for premium, but I’ve only put gas in my car twice in the past 9 weeks… (Working from home, grateful to still have a job in this situation!)
I’m so sorry to hear about Ken, but it sounds like he’s in excellent hands. I lost my dad suddenly almost a year ago, so this story hits very close to home for me. Wishing you grace and peace, and so happy that you’ve all had a chance to say goodbye. <3
That shipwreck is SO COOL!
~Stefanie
Stefanie,
To lose a dad suddenly would be extra hard–no warning, no goodbyes just multiplies the sorrow. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.
Thank you for your kind words about Ken; we continue to wait right along with him.
Hi. I am from Hastings Michigan. Would love to see a shipwreck like that. I haven’t gotten gas for a week or so, but it was $1.48. I agree, cheap gas and can’t travel…
Patti,
It really is frustrating to have gas so low and not be able to just take off somewhere for a trip. $1.48 is great!
Midlothian, Virginia. Not sure about gas prices since there is nowhere to go. Ha. But think it is around the average that others are saying. Love your heart, pictures and adventures!
Liz,
I appreciate your words about my “heart, pictures, and adventures.” So sweet!
WE LIVE IN A VERY SMALL TOWN LOCATED IN CENTRAL PENNSYVANIA CALLED LANDISBURG AND ARE FINDING GAS AT $1.95 FOR HIGH TEST. WE HAVE VISITED NONE OF THE LOCATIONS LISTED IN THE COMMENT SECTION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ENTIRE OUTER BANKS. ONE INTERESTING STORY REGARDING BODIE ISLAND IS THAT OUR SONS FAVORITE PLACE TO FISH IS ON BODIE ISLAND. WHEN THEY BOUGHT ONE OF THEIR NEW PUPS THEY NAMES HIM BODIE. OF COURSE AFTER HIS DAD’S FAVORITE FISHING SPOT.
Catherine,
How fun to have a puppy named Bodie. Perfect!
Good morning from Sacramento, CA! I have been a long time reader of your blog, but not very good at commenting! Gas prices are hovering around $2.00 per gallon. We are in a SIP and thankfully, both my husband and I are working from home 100%. Living with us are are 2 sons, one who is almost 25 and heading off to Duke for medical school (looking forward to visiting NC!) and our younger son, who just completed his freshman year at Sac State (he finished the last 2 months virtually). Also, both of their girlfriends live with us, so we have a full house! But I’m grateful that we can all be together and cherish all the family dinners, great conversations and awesome family game nights! Hope you all stay well!
Debbie,
How great to have a son headed to med school at Duke. As you know, our family is a very big fan of Duke medicine. Best wishes to him on his journey. I am absolutely in awe of anyone who becomes a doctor–so much to learn and absorb that it just amazes me.
Duke is 4 hours from the Outer Banks. Not TOO far!
Sounds like you’ve got a busy household with six adults. Lots of people to cook for but also lots of people to do the dishes. 🙂
I’m in Cumberland, MD …. I have been following you since Sarah’s initial diagnosis. Our gas prices are about what yours are.
❤️ To all of you
Sharon,
Thanks for following along for SUCH a long time!
I’m from Dallas, TX!! Long time reader, first time leaving comment! Gas Prices here are around $1.55 !!!!
Lisa,
First timer!! Many hoorays!!
I went to a songwriting conference just outside Dallas when I was much younger. Cool place!
St. Louis, Missouri google says $1.47, but most stations had $1.61
Mrs. Pam,
I guess Google can’t quite keep up with the gas changes!
Read your blog every week! I live in York, SC, where gas is $1.49 a gallon.
Laura,
So great to hear from you! I think you are a first-timer?
Thank you for being such a faithful reader.
Winter Haven, Florida…..home of the Adorable Smith grand babies! ?
Sheri,
Not just anyone can leave a comment like THAT! 🙂
I am from Mount Airy (Mayberry), NC. Our average price of gas is $1.75. I love your pictures of the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Our family had a great vacation when we visited the Outerbanks about 15 years ago. I would love to visit the area again sometime! Such a peaceful, laid back vacation and you get to live there everyday!
Also, I have a question? Is there a couple of guys standing on the shipwreck? Are they also the same ones parasailing (not sure that is the correct description) in the next photo you took? How cool!!
Donna,
Yes, there were some people parasailing which Sarah and I loved to watch. (Actually I’m not sure if it’s called parasailing but I don’t know what other name to use.)
They stood upon the shipwreck for about 10 minutes and we thought they would somehow take off from there. But they eventually jumped off and got air born some other way. It was so exciting to watch.
Good morning from Hastings, Nebraska! Our gas right now is $1.69. About 2 weeks ago it was $1.32! What a cruel joke….cheap gas and there is nowhere to go. Lol
Lee Anne,
Yeah, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen anything that low. Pretty amazing!