Kayak for Safe Passage Kids: Thanksgiving Loop through North Carolina

We share what we are thankful for before the turkey

Friends drove long distances to share their Thanksgiving holidays with me.
Ralph drove me from Nags Head to the Alligator River. Arnie, an old fiend from Safe Passage drove miles to take me to his home in Durham. Christine, a friend from Swarthmore, drove me to her place in Hatteras Village, and then back to Ralph and Donna's to complete the loop.

It was wonderful spending time with Arnie and his family in his owner built house, that now has been made into a duplex for his son and family to live with them, while his daughter and her husband have built a "tiny home" outside to live on. One of the things that always strikes me in Guatemala, is how important family is, and how children don't move away and live long distances from their parents. Arnie's family has that value that many of us in America have lost. It makes you think!

Dimensional wood trusses and ductless mini-split heat pump

I was also fascinated by the trusses in Arnie's Post and beam house, not just for their geometric beauty, but for the great design of being created from inexpensive, readily available dimensional lumber rather than big beams, and being created in a modular fashion as well. And then there's the "mini-split" Japanese heat pump. So much to learn about!

Framed quote on the wall.

But most important discussions and learnings have to do with how to live life. This quote was perfect for my expedition! I am looking forward to returning to Arnie and Svea's in January for a speaking tour.

Coming back to the coast with Christine and Janet, I learned about the sea turtles that sometimes don't leave the Albermarle Sound soon enough in the fall, and then get "cold stunned". These listless turtles then wash up on shores and freeze to death. So kayakers help rescue them, get them to a rehab center, where they are warmed up and placed back in the gulf stream. I may not see the alligators on Monday, as the recent cold snap may have caused them to "mud up" for the winter.

It's such fun to catch up with old friends. When I saw Christine's license plate, I thought our lives might have gone down parallel paths: K@Y@K.

I've got to get that license plate in Maine!

Christine and I hadn't seen each other in 44 years, but the conversation flowed like it was just yesterday. It's so fascinating to hear about our evolving lives. Lots of education, science, business, teaching, higher ed administration.... and then music and arts and kayaking and life.

Deb and Christine at Hatteras

It may be late fall here, but the bright sun made the 48 degrees feel like summer to a girl from Maine. A walk on the beach at night in the moonlight was made even more special by the bio-luminescent waves. Could have watched and laughed with them all night! Our photos didn't come out, but this photo by Dear Doodle captures them well.