DAY 06 – Norfolk VA to Outer Banks NC
On Tuesday morning, we said goodbye to Williamsburg and the Hampton Roads area. This is where we started our lives together 40 years ago, and there are still many great memories of the area.
We are heading south to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. But first, we want to stop at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens just across the James River from Hampton Roads. This site covers over 175 acres and has 60 themed gardens. It’s an easy 5-mile detour from our route. Since they are part of a reciprocal plan with the Morgantown Botanic Gardens (which we are members of), admission was free!
Our first stop was the visitor center, where we found out there was a free trolley tour starting in just a few minutes.
We hopped on the 30-minute trolley tour to get oriented. Then we will walk around the paths for a closer look.
After the trolley tour, we had a better idea how to navigate the gardens. Nice day for walking!
Strolling down the path past the roses.
More roses!!!
The NATO Tower is a spot to look out over the entire garden.
View from the deck of the NATO Tower. There used to be an eagles’ nest nearby, but the mother eagle was killed in 2011 when she collided with an airplane over the Norfolk International Airport next door. (See next 2 photos)
This statue was commissioned in memory of the eagles and their nest. (See next photo)
Story about the eagles. The Norfolk Botanica Gardens is next door to the Norfolk International Airport, with over 100 flights per day.
Lots of picturesque spots around the gardens.
We spotted this egret in the marshy area of the gardens.
Nice peaceful setting along the lake next to the gardens.
We were both fascinated by the large white bloom in this magnolia tree, appx 12 inches across.
Interesting exhibit at the reflecting garden.
Nice garden looking across the small canal that runs through the garden.
Similar to the Victory Gardens in WWII, where people grew much of their own vegetables.
Beth has many of these vegetables planted in our garden at home. Can’t wait ’til they are ready to eat this summer.
Statue of Mary and Jesus in the garden.
One of many fountains in the gardens.
Another fountain and more flowers!
The Oriental Garden was beautiful!
Another view of the Oriental Garden.
Water lilies in the Oriental Garden.
Close-up of water lily and tiny frogs in the Oriental Garden.
Now it was time to head towards the beach. It’s only about a 2-hour drive from here to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Our home for the next few days was the Surf Side Hotel. Located right on the beach, we were on the 3rd floor looking out over the ocean.
Very clean room with a great view directly out over the ocean.
Great room – Clean and very comfortable. Great view from balcony (see next photos).
Our very own private balcony to watch the sunrise every morning. Nice view for breakfast, too.
We went exploring along the beach road and found the Sea Sea Motel. My family stayed here on our summer vacations in the 60s.
Me at the Sea Sea Motel back around 1970.
Two of our friends (Debbie Blackstock and Beth Everton) recommended Mama Kwan’s Grill and Tiki Bar.
Although we passed on the Tiki Bar, the restaurant looked nice and clean. We were there at 4pm and missed the dinner crowd.
Beth and I split a garden salad and a blackened mahi mahi fish taco. Both were excellent!! Thanks for the recommendation!!
Back at the hotel, they served wine and cheese at 8pm. We took ours up to the room and enjoyed the balcony view.
View of the beach looking north from our balcony, while enjoying our wine and cheese.
Our balcony faced east, for great sunrises. To view the sunset over Albemarle Sound, we walked around to the front of the hotel.
After another busy day (150 miles driving, Norfolk Botanic Gardens, and getting settled in our new room) it was time to rest. Tomorrow morning (Wednesday), we are planning to drive 75 miles south to Hatteras, then taking the state ferry over to Ocracoke. We visited there on our honeymoon 40 years ago and wanted to see if anything looked familiar. See you in the morning!
Proceed to DAY 07