Not just a beach resort

Took two small road trips so far this summer but haven't replaced my old camera and didn't bother to get a disposable which are not so bad. Now I am sorry I have no pictures of my own.

Outer Banks, North Carolina- There are lighthouses and unspoiled beaches. I went to the northern part of these islands. Places with names such as Duck which is very quaint and stayed in Corolla where I was surprised to see so much advertising for surf shops. When I think of surfing, I think of California, Hawaii, Australia, not North Carolina. There's horseback riding too. But more than shopping, dining and the beach there is history to experience here.

You can experience The Lost Colony as an outdoor drama about the first group of settlers from England, where Virginia Dare, the first child of these colonists was born. This is a sad story, for the people disappeared and no one has ever found out what really happened. http://www.outerbanks.com/lostcolony/

We also have the museum of the Wright Brothers. Everyone knows this story about one of America's most important historic events. http://www.outerbanks.com/wrightbrothers/

North Carolina to this day celebrates this with their license motto reading: "First In Flight".

Also the beaches are truly unspoiled and some of the most pristine I have seen so far on the East coast. Here is why: "And the American government, determined to protect this fragile environment, set aside much of these islands as the country's first National Seashore. Cape Hatteras National Seashore now preserves some of the finest beaches in the country." Who needs the Hamptons anyway and it might not be the south of France but it is ever so lovely. It is a low key area and the people are polite and nice and also as expected there is good seafood. I think I could live here.

I took an over night trip in July to New Hampshire for a family reunion where the house was near a lake. The area was very rustic and I felt as though I was completely away from it all. There is still an old world feel to this place and though the traffic on the highway can be heavy, once you go further inward, you know you are in the country. It's one of those places where you can see there are many patriotic people who still fly our flag. Sounds corny to some, I know.

If only I'd had a camera, this place was beautiful. I love New England!

I was told that there are more people moving in from nearby Massachusetts.

The motto for New Hampshire license plates is: "Live Free Or Die." I'm just sorry I didn't have more time to spend as we Americans do not get enough VACATION TIME!