Last Saturday with a temp of 39 degrees made even chillier by a 25 m.p.h wind, Steve and I decided it would be a great day to go out and take a walk.
Now to those of you who live in the area where the polar vortex frequently visits, please try to keep your snickers to a minimum. I realize that the weather I just mentioned probably seems like a balmy spring day to you intrepid folk. But to Steve and me? With our thin Southern blood?
We. Were. Cold.
Just in case you don’t think I was dressed warmly enough, I had on long johns, another shirt over that, and a thick wool sweater over that with a scarf, hat, and ear muffs. My layers were so thick, another coat would not have fit.
I am not quite sure why I was sticking my arms out. I guess maybe I was thinking I could get airborne.
You may be wondering why we were out walking in the middle of a stay-at-home kind of day.
Well, the reason had to do with an old bridge and a new bridge. The old bridge is pictured below.
That amazing bridge has just been replaced by a new structure. (Old bridge is on the right.)
By way of a little background:
Oregon Inlet is an inlet along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It joins the Pamlico Sound with the Atlantic Ocean and separates Bodie Island from Pea Island, which are connected by the 2.5 mile Herbert C. Bonner Bridge that spans the inlet. As one of the few access points to the ocean along this stretch of coast, Oregon Inlet is a major departure point for charter fishing trips, with a nearby harbor serving as the base for many large boats that travel miles out towards the Gulf Stream almost every day. The inlet is also the location of a U.S. Coast Guard station.
The Bonner Bridge was built in 1963 and was only meant to last 30 years. With continual repairs, it has managed to last almost twice that long. The new bridge, started in early 2016, is built to last a hundred years.
To celebrate the fact that the bridge is just about finished, pedestrians and bicyclists were invited to give it a whirl before it is opened to vehicles.
Although we are usually pretty tied up with church prep on Saturdays, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to take part in this occasion.
Steve and I . . .
joined dogs . . .
and families . . .
and even Santa Claus on a day of bridge-walking and weather-braving.
Steve and I didn’t make it the whole way across the bridge because of the whipping wind and the less than balmy temps; however, we were glad we took this rare opportunity to be among the first to cross this engineering marvel.
It would have been REALLY lovely if the weather from last Friday could have been transplanted to last Saturday because it was thirty degrees warmer!
And because it was so pretty, Steve and I went for a walk on the beach and then out to eat.
These two photos are separated by twenty hours and thirty degrees.
It was a fun weekend getting to spend time with my favorite person enjoying some of the many delights this strip of sand has to offer.
What about you? Did you do anything out of the ordinary last week? Or maybe you did something ordinary that you still want to tell us about. We’re all ears!
Oh my goodness. We are watching the Martin Clunes: Islands of America series on ITV and last night Roanoke Island was featured. I knew it was beautiful from your photos but I didn’t realise it was the site of the Lost Colony nor that Manteo was the name of one of the Croatan Indians. So much history, I went on a complete binge reading up on it once the program had finished! We are hoping to come back over to America in the next 5 years or so (need to wait until our 3 year old will be old enough for the long haul flight and appreciate the trip more) and I’m determined we will come to see The Lost Colony outdoor play. It’s amazing how much you can learn just from a 10 min segment on a TV program; in fact, when we came over to drive Rt66 that was inspired from the Billy Connolly series back in 2012.
PS – Much as people say the UK is quite cold, living in the Midlands we are quite sheltered from the worst so when temps hit 3/4°C here (which would be your 39°F) we also think it’s quite cold! You’re very brave going out in just a jumper, in that sort of temp I would definitely have added a coat even if it was a thin one, just to convince myself I was wrapped up warmly! We’re quite lucky with our temps here at the moment as we’ve had little snow and today is a balmy 12°C (53°F) which is very mild for February!
Rebecca,
I would have loved to have seen that episode!
And it’s true about Manteo being one of the Indian Chiefs. The other town on our island, Wanchese, was named after another chief.
We have seen the play a couple of times; definitely worth doing.
I know you are excited about coming back. I had forgotten your reason for coming before was to drive Rt. 66. That would be a dream come true for me!
Becky this happened here in Iowa just the opposite. Went from -30 to 40 in a day and most of the snow melted. Didn’t last long. We have had 4 big snows since and several feet of new snow.
Karen,
A 70 degree change in a day? That is almost surreal. You probably felt like you were suddenly in the middle of summer! 🙂
I love reading your posts and seeing your photos! That looks like a good new sturdy bridge.
I haven’t done anything out of the ordinary lately—just really busy with ordinary ordinariness from lots of work to parenting the kids to a sick chinchilla to medical appointments (for both me and the chinchilla) to visiting my grandma in her care home to church and the gym to, well, all the usually stuff of life. My dad did turn 70 so that was special and I took him out for lunch one day.
One thing that has been out of the ordinary is how extremely cold it is. We‘re really used to cold and snow here but this has been exceptionally cold. It’s been in the -26 to -32 range the past few weeks (plus a windchill that makes it much colder). People keep seeming surprised that I keep going out in this cold since I use a wheelchair. But from my perspective that doesn’t matter. I can tell you I’d much rather keep going out in -30 weather with several inches of snow than be trapped in the house for weeks or months on end. So, I’ve decided to love the cold and just embrace it.
Jenna,
I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who had to deal with sick chinchilla before! I actually had to look up chinchillas online to see exactly what they were. Cute little things!
Minus thirty degrees PLUS a wind chill? You are QUITE the intrepid outdoorswoman! I would be home huddled in the corner until spring. I especially love that you said you have decided to love the cold and embrace it. Such a great mindset!
Oh my goodness, thank you for sharing the pictures of the bridge. I sure would have been out there walking on it too. We were smack dab in the polar vortex. Ugh! It was brutal, but we made it through. After it was over and I was outside shoveling it felt so nice out and balmy outside. I came in and took a look at the thermometer and it was 6 degrees. But with no wind it was heaven compared to what we had -40 with wind chills made it down in the -60’s below. I am so ready for spring to arrive.
Wendy,
Yeah, the equivalent of sixty-six degrees warmer would DEFINITELY make a difference! I can’t even conceive of 60 below although I suppose we got near those temps when I was growing up in WI. Fortunately, I have forgotten most of the cold memories!
The walk looks cold! We were freezing in Ohio a couple weeks ago and then this week- cold- then warmish with rain- then cold again. The weather is so mixed up! This weekend my husband and I went to see Hamilton- it came to Columbus with Broadway Across America! We loved it!
Heather,
I love the fact that arts organizations make Broadway productions available in so many places! I had never heard of Broadway Across America so looked them up. So impressed by all they offer. Glad you enjoyed Hamilton.
First off, I am currently living in the 2nd coldest place in the US (Grand Forks, ND), so I will not snicker too loudly! But, it sure does look chilly on that bridge- the wind is the worst! But, what a beautiful bridge. I would have gone out there, too.
I had a “me” weekend. My 3 year old stayed with a friend and I had a staycation! I went to eat with some frineds, shopped and slept in! I was also able to lay around and watch TV!! It was pure bliss!
Hope you have a blessed week!
Krista,
I love hearing about single moms getting a Me Weekend. You DESERVE it! And it sounds like an ideal weekend–some time with friends, some time alone and some napping and tv time blended in. Perfection!
That bridge is beautiful. I would have wanted to walk it as well. Here’s the thing I have found with cold weather. It’s all about the wind. It can be cold-in the 30s or even the 20s, but if there’s no wind it is not bad at all. Just still and cold. On the other hand, being 40 with wind whipping around and it’s really hard to bear for long.
My ‘out of the ordinary’ is coming on Thursday. I am actually leaving Sarah with a sitter that is not one of her brothers, for the first time in over 3 years. Granted, it’s only for 2 hours, but its a big step for me. And a first step. I’ve been training a couple of women to care for her over the past month and one of them is ready to fly solo. So, out of the house I go. Don’t know what I am going to do for those 2 hours but its time to leave lol. I am making myself do this. My son John is getting married locally in 6 weeks and I do not want to bring Sarah, much too stressful for her. However, this means a sitter for 8 hours. So I am reaching for that goal. Baby steps… for me, not Sarah. She loves the new faces, haha. I’m the wreck 🙂
Lesley,
Soooooo excited for your two hours away today! I hope you had a lot of fun doing absolutely NOTHING important. Good for you for training those helpers so that you can have that Lesley Time that is so important.
It’s exciting to think of you getting to attend John’s wedding, knowing that Sarah will be getting good care and enjoying those sweet new faces in her life. I’m glad (for your sake) that she doesn’t mind new faces. That must make it a lot easier for you to leave her.
Sending Lesley Hoorays your way!
I am not going to say a word about how you had to dress for the weather. I live in the Seattle area and we have been dealing with the snow. and people everywhere else are probably making fun of us and our snow storm. Never mind that it turned out to be a pretty big one-20″ of snow at the airport. Most snow in February since 1923! our issue here is the hills. If you don’t live on one, chances are you will have to navigate one from point A to point B.
We just had a new tunnel open up in Seattle and a lot of people went and walked through it the weekend before it opened. I decided I did not want to deal with the crowds so skipped it.
Nicole,
Twenty inches is a LOT, especially for Seattle! And snow and hills make for SUCH an interesting driving combination.
I think I’d probably skip walking a tunnel, too. The best part about walking a new bridge is getting to see the water and sky! But . . . I suppose it WOULD be kind of an interesting experience to be inside a tunnel with no cars.
What a beautiful bridge! I may have had to walk it in that weather also. Someday I hope to go “home” to West Virginia for Bridge Day. One day a year in October they close the New River Gorge Bridge to traffic and allow pedestrians to walk on it. They also allow BASE jumping, rappelling and zip-lining. But since I’m afraid of heights I wouldn’t dream of doing any of those. But it’s usually beautiful with the leaves close their peak of color. I’m going to try to paste a link of what the “overlook” looked like yesterday, and I’ll also share it on my Facebook page. Lovely, but cold. I’m glad your weather warmed up and you were able to enjoy a stroll on the beach. https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=around%20each%20bend%20west%20virginia&epa=SEARCH_BOX
Sue Ellen,
I looked up pictures of that area after looking at your FB listing. It is SO beautiful! I wanted to grab my camera, get in the car, and drive there for about a week!!
I would LOVE to have a chance to walk it. If you ever get back home, you can walk it for BOTH of us!
I love your cream sweater! Would’ve loved to walk the bridge with you. And
In one way we’ve been blessed in Southeastern CT with a mild winter so far. A few days in the crazy lows. Our gardens will pay for it in the Spring if it continues though.
From the 1st weekend of February (my birthday weekend) through this past Sunday, I’ve been up and back to Massachusetts twice, run to multiple doctor appointments with my grandson (strep & cold season, dental, eye, rechecks for strep), worked my full-time job, filed my taxes (ouch! Miss head of household status), trying to guide grandson through being bullied, and harmed none in the process…but the bullies better beware of this Nona! I wouldn’t change having my little grandson live with me for anything. However, doing this in my 60s is a whole different ballgame than it was in my 30s! Can’t jump rope like I used to! Grateful God gave me a sense of humor! And selective hearing!
This week I get to have some social time with adults! Yeppers! Dental cleaning and annual physical for me! ?Tomorrow we are supposed to get snow starting about noon … I think I may need to leave work early ? and I am going to schedule a redo of my birthday weekend!
Guerrina,
A sense of humor and selective hearing. You nailed it. And as you said, those two things are even more important the older you get. 🙂
Good for you for guiding your grandson through dealing with bullies. Not easy for him OR for you, but oh so important! And I’m glad you let them know to watch out for Nona! It’s like being a mama bear–times two.
Always enjoy your comments and finding what is going on in your life!
Becky, they just had a segment here on the news in Raleigh about your new bridge, unfortunately I just caught the tail end of it, but when I turned the tv on, they were showing some of the same pictures that you took and I was thinking, wow, that looks familiar, they re-run a lot of these stories so hopefully I can see the whole thing tonight.
Dale,
I was thinking they would probably have the bridge opening on TV somewhere. Glad you caught at least a glimpse of it!
Bridges are such amazing structures. I can’t comprehend how difficult they are to build and how much better they makes our lives. Think of a world without bridges!
How nice that so many people were able to take advantage and walk on the new bridge, even though it was soooo cold. If it could have stayed at that 39 degrees, it might not have been to bad. Last week and the week before, on a couple of days it was -21 degrees with a wind chill of -45. Needless to say we did not venture outdoors for too long except to go to the “Y” in the a.m. and do a little workout. On days such as that we will walk in a mall to get more exercise. in the last couple of days we have had about 12 inches of new snow, (there was already a good amount before) and tonight more is to come. But since you lived up this way, you know about real cold and snow. Love the picture of you and Steve – so beautiful.
Sharyn
I can well imagine you guys are counting down the days to the balmy, breezy days of spring!
Good for you guys for getting out and going to the Y and to the mall to exercise despite all the nasty weather. Kudos!
Very cool pictures of the bridges although I’m thinking the new bridge was started in 2016 and not 2106. 🙂
My last week consisted of dentist and ophthalmologist appointments. I was having quite a bit of pain 5 days after my periodontal surgery so went back to periodontist. She sent me to an endodontist as she thought the pain might be coming from a tooth rather than the surgery. Saw him today and he doesn’t think I need a root canal – PTL! The eye doctor was Wednesday and got the word that the glaucoma that he had been watching for the last 4 visits had progressed to the point that I need laser surgery – I have one tomorrow and one two weeks later. Thursday I didn’t leave the house – too nasty outside. Friday I checked the visitors packets in the sanctuary and ran a few errands. Saturday was another dreary day so stayed in.
We might make it up to 39 here today. My Sunday School teacher, who is an elementary school principal said they had not had a full week since coming back from Christmas vacation – some due to holidays and many due to weather. My parents live about 115 miles south east of me on the Missouri side. They had an ice storm Wednesday night and 30% of the town was without power. Fortunately they were in the 70%!
Phyllis,
Oops. I’ll go back in and change that! 🙂
It’s nice to be retired and have the option to stay in when things are nasty outside, isn’t it? Such a luxury to just not have to BE anywhere.
Sounds like you’ve had a busy time with teeth and eyes. Not so much fun but great to have the good medical care available. Such a blessing!
That bridge looks amazing! I’d take your ‘balmy’ weather. We, too, have been stuck in the deep freeze. Ugh. Today is low 20’s which isn’t all that bad. However we are getting freezing drizzle and it’s pretty much an ice skating rink out there. Yikes!
We installed a new solid wood bedroom door on Saturday which I had stained and sealed about 2 years ago and it has been in the garage ever since. Good grief. Anyway, glad to have that done!
You are looking really great and I love the selfie of you two on the beach! 🙂
LeeAnne,
Yeah, when you get a dribble and it’s in the low 20’s, you’re pretty much guaranteed an ice-skater’s paradise! I can’t imagine how eagerly you all are counting down the days till spring.
It’s a great feeling to get a long overdue project completed, isn’t it? Everytime you close or open that door, you’ll get the wonderful feeling of satisfaction all over again. 🙂
I too would have taken a walk on a new bridge. I love bridges. While Michigan was in Polar Vortex mode, Montana friends were calling us wimps. I stayed in for 2 days, but if there had been a bridge to walk, I would have gone out. I still am wanting to do the labor day bridge walk over the Mackinac Bridge, but don’t know when that will happen.
Patti,
I’ve heard that Mackinac Walk is really an incredible thing to be a part of. Need to put that toward the top of your Bucket List!
I don’t think ANYONE can call a Michigan person a WIMP! 🙂
Bridge is awesome. I am not too fond of that long crossing water! Seems like last week was filled with running errands most days and cooking. I did manage to walk my treadmill 5 days. Mailed lots of cards last week and kinda got caught up on that. Still more to do but little at a time. Did manage a little rest and reading time. Have a blessed week. Love the pictures as usual.
Ann,
Good for you walking on the treadmill 5 times last week. You’re doing a lot better than I am.
I am amazed at how faithful you are at sending out cards. We have been blessed to be on the receiving end of so many of your pieces of paper joy.
Glad you’ve made some time for rest and reading.
Becky – you look Beautiful with the red scarf!
Hmm I ate strawberries with soy whipped cream. My friend remembered I love strawberies so She bought some for me when I visited
Katrina,
Thanks for the sweet compliment.
Strawberries and cream. Yum! And how lovely to have a friend who remembers what you like.
While I completely enjoyed the “balmy” weather after the polar vortex, I did not like the wind chill we had this passed weekend. I signed up for a 5K Chocolate Run (I walked with sprint intervals) that was in Dover, Delaware. I would have taken the balmy weather over the weather we had on Saturday. I was only in the 20’s with a wind chill in the teens (like 12). I made it through the 5K and was ready for something warm to drink. Thank goodness for Hot Chocolate and Coffee. Today, however, we are expecting 3-5 inches of snow.
The pictures of the new bridge are amazing! I’m glad you guys were able to get out there and walk despite the wind.
Michelle,
I am BEYOND impressed that you did a 5k with a wind chill in the teens. You are made of tougher stuff than I am!
Yes, the new bridge is such an incredible structure; we felt honored to get to be some of the first ones across it.