Hey, everyone!

I read the comments on the other post about those of us who aren't active on here anymore. I'm still here, and I check the message board every so often. It just got too grouchy in here for my liking. I'm on Facebook and Instagram, and post pics and updates there since my family and friends are all back home in Indiana or other states.

I'm doing well, and still loving the island! It's been a bit too hot for us to enjoy the outdoors lately, but I'll get back out there. Still working remotely for a Missouri bank. Buddy has been retired nearly three years, and is working harder and more than ever doing what he loves: gardening. Me too! We are growing 20 different varieties of tomatoes, hydroponically, using rainwater we collect. We are growing 22 different varieties of peppers, and they're going nuts right now! Peppers everywhere! We are growing so many different types of herbs, vegetables, and fruits, and we've become quite the hoarder of houseplants, especially tropicals. We have been selling tomatoes to Cafe Pamlico and Pamlico Deli, and still have a surplus, so we've been freezing some, milling them into passata for later use, making fresh pizza sauce, etc.

We try to get up the beach every couple of weeks or so to try new restaurants, do a little shopping, etc., but we typically leave traveling to the off-season after our summer garden is done. Planning a trip to NYC in November to see David Gilmour (from Pink Floyd) in concert at MSG, and sight-see, so really stoked about that. Trying to plan a trip to Italy for next year, too. Just trying to figure out the logistics, where to stay, etc.

We still have two kitties, who are rotten to the core, just the way we love them, and are talking about getting another kitten soon. Other than that, not too much new. Not gonna lie. It's been very tough missing my people from back home, but I am still glad I moved here.

Just wanted to say hi, and hope everyone is doing well!

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I think things have gotten back to mostly nice.

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Totally get the grouchy feel of this site back a few months and agree with Lolly that it's a bit better now. Glad to know you're doing well and a bit jealous too. Will be in Waves next month and pretend we live there full time; at least for two weeks.

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Planning a trip to NYC in November to see David Gilmour (from Pink Floyd) in concert at MSG

Wow, THAT will be an awesome show - hard to believe he's pushing 80...but plays like he's half that!

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Planning a trip to NYC in November to see David Gilmour (from Pink Floyd) in concert at MSG

Wow, THAT will be an awesome show - hard to believe he's pushing 80...but plays like he's half that!

I flew to NYC from Indiana back in 2016 to see him, and actually wept during the guitar solo in "Comfortably Numb." He's just incredible, and I couldn't pass this up, as it could very well be my last chance to see him again. This time, I bought 4th row seats from the stage. It was Buddy's birthday present, as well as a present for myself! haha

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Great to see the update and glad things are going well. I totally agree about staying close to home in the summer. (Bike Week in Gettysburg this week) Ear plugs necessary! We enjoy the shoulder seasons and my hubby has gotten more involved with the NCBBA. We still talk about your adventure moving to the Outer Banks. I'll bet it seems like a long time ago. Dont stay away too long.

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(Bike Week in Gettysburg this week) Ear plugs necessary!

It's the sound of freedom!

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Hey, everyone!

I read the comments on the other post about those of us who aren't active on here anymore. I'm still here, and I check the message board every so often. It just got too grouchy in here for my liking. I'm on Facebook and Instagram, and post pics and updates there since my family and friends are all back home in Indiana or other states.

I'm doing well, and still loving the island! It's been a bit too hot for us to enjoy the outdoors lately, but I'll get back out there. Still working remotely for a Missouri bank. Buddy has been retired nearly three years, and is working harder and more than ever doing what he loves: gardening. Me too! We are growing 20 different varieties of tomatoes, hydroponically, using rainwater we collect. We are growing 22 different varieties of peppers, and they're going nuts right now! Peppers everywhere! We are growing so many different types of herbs, vegetables, and fruits, and we've become quite the hoarder of houseplants, especially tropicals. We have been selling tomatoes to Cafe Pamlico and Pamlico Deli, and still have a surplus, so we've been freezing some, milling them into passata for later use, making fresh pizza sauce, etc.

We try to get up the beach every couple of weeks or so to try new restaurants, do a little shopping, etc., but we typically leave traveling to the off-season after our summer garden is done. Planning a trip to NYC in November to see David Gilmour (from Pink Floyd) in concert at MSG, and sight-see, so really stoked about that. Trying to plan a trip to Italy for next year, too. Just trying to figure out the logistics, where to stay, etc.

We still have two kitties, who are rotten to the core, just the way we love them, and are talking about getting another kitten soon. Other than that, not too much new. Not gonna lie. It's been very tough missing my people from back home, but I am still glad I moved here.

Just wanted to say hi, and hope everyone is doing well!

Nice garden! I’d love to start growing some tomatoes but I’m not there enough and suspect I’d end up just feeding the deer. Maybe I should try a fig tree

I’ve been pretty much in the same boat as you. Seems a few folks made this site their own personal tirade blog, and I just found myself deriving less enjoyment returning until the point that it had gone almost six months or so since I’ve checked in. Like you, I’m on the various FB groups but the drama gets exhausting there too.

That said, we enjoy time at our place on the island as much as ever. My son is 9 now and getting more involved in sports and activities so weekend jaunts down to Hatteras are getting harder to schedule.

Enjoy your trip to NYC!

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I too left the message board because it was getting too nasty. Once (I forget his name now, dang it) the guy who posted pics daily left, I kind of felt it was going downhill and I stay away from all of the negativity stuff. That’s why X (Twitter) is so bad….always the ****ing and moaning. Gets old. I’ll stick around and see how the board is now

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I too left the message board because it was getting too nasty. Once (I forget his name now, dang it) the guy who posted pics daily left, I kind of felt it was going downhill and I stay away from all of the negativity stuff. That’s why X (Twitter) is so bad….always the ****ing and moaning. Gets old. I’ll stick around and see how the board is now

Jimmy Z is the member who posted daily in-season pics.

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I too left the message board because it was getting too nasty. Once (I forget his name now, dang it) the guy who posted pics daily left, I kind of felt it was going downhill and I stay away from all of the negativity stuff. That’s why X (Twitter) is so bad….always the ****ing and moaning. Gets old. I’ll stick around and see how the board is now

Jimmy Z is the member who posted daily in-season pics.

Jimmy Z was not nasty.

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Jimmy Z was not nasty.

No, I think Shertz was saying that Jimmy's exodus was an indicator of how most of us felt at that time.

I would love to see this board get back to what it was. Butter Roast! What's in your Beach Bucket? (still love the recommendation I got for the Cuisinart knife set) trip reports, restaurant recommendations without the snarky asides.

Sigh, but nothing remains the same, does it?

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Jimmy Z was not nasty.

No, I think Shertz was saying that Jimmy's exodus was an indicator of how most of us felt at that time.

I would love to see this board get back to what it was. Butter Roast! What's in your Beach Bucket? (still love the recommendation I got for the Cuisinart knife set) trip reports, restaurant recommendations without the snarky asides.

Sigh, but nothing remains the same, does it?

Jimmy still posts beach pictures on his Facebook feed. He left here because he got too much crap about a few of his pictures of beach users. Those commenters have pretty much disappeared and the majority of the nasty comments came from one poster that had multiple screen names. Will took care of them but occasionally a new one pops up. I think things are much better since the no politics rule has been enforced. There are other places for that diatribe!

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Jimmy Z was not nasty.

No, I think Shertz was saying that Jimmy's exodus was an indicator of how most of us felt at that time.

I would love to see this board get back to what it was. Butter Roast! What's in your Beach Bucket? (still love the recommendation I got for the Cuisinart knife set) trip reports, restaurant recommendations without the snarky asides.

Sigh, but nothing remains the same, does it?

Yeah, Jimmy Z was a good dude. He even came to our house one year and took pictures. I’m hopeful that this board is back to where it was. OBX is too fun of a place to argue about little things

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Hey, everyone!

Trying to plan a trip to Italy for next year, too. Just trying to figure out the logistics, where to stay, etc.

My wife and I spent two weeks in Italy last May. Feel free to shoot me a PM with any questions if want. We stayed in Tuscany, Cinque Terre region, and couple days in Rome.

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Nice garden! I’d love to start growing some tomatoes but I’m not there enough and suspect I’d end up just feeding the deer. Maybe I should try a fig tree

I’ve been pretty much in the same boat as you. Seems a few folks made this site their own personal tirade blog, and I just found myself deriving less enjoyment returning until the point that it had gone almost six months or so since I’ve checked in. Like you, I’m on the various FB groups but the drama gets exhausting there too.

That said, we enjoy time at our place on the island as much as ever. My son is 9 now and getting more involved in sports and activities so weekend jaunts down to Hatteras are getting harder to schedule.

Enjoy your trip to NYC!

Thanks, Brad! We have so much that we feed the deer, too! I have one doe that eats right out of my hand. Love her. Glad you're doing well! Good to see familiar names/faces here again! Hope you're able to swing a trip down soon!

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Hey, everyone!

Trying to plan a trip to Italy for next year, too. Just trying to figure out the logistics, where to stay, etc.

My wife and I spent two weeks in Italy last May. Feel free to shoot me a PM with any questions if want. We stayed in Tuscany, Cinque Terre region, and couple days in Rome.

Will do! Thank you!! There's soooo much I want to experience there! Especially the grub!

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Great to see the update and glad things are going well. I totally agree about staying close to home in the summer. (Bike Week in Gettysburg this week) Ear plugs necessary! We enjoy the shoulder seasons and my hubby has gotten more involved with the NCBBA. We still talk about your adventure moving to the Outer Banks. I'll bet it seems like a long time ago. Dont stay away too long.

Honestly, so much has happened, that it feels like one big blur. My mom and I were talking about my move here again recently, and how absolutely stressful it was. I can still hardly stand to think about it, and can't even express how awful the whole situation was. Can you believe it'll be five years ago this August? That doesn't seem real at all.

I actually have always defended my love and longing for summertime, because I love swimming, but we swam in the ocean a couple weeks ago in Hatteras, which felt really good, but just 10 minutes out of the water, we were miserable again. We have been going outside to take care of plants, then running back in, because it's over 100 degrees every day on our back deck. The walls are starting to close in, though, so we're going to get out of here in a bit, since I'm caught up with work, and head to Hatteras to buy some shrimp. Good hearing from you!!

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Great to see the update and glad things are going well. I totally agree about staying close to home in the summer. (Bike Week in Gettysburg this week) Ear plugs necessary! We enjoy the shoulder seasons and my hubby has gotten more involved with the NCBBA. We still talk about your adventure moving to the Outer Banks. I'll bet it seems like a long time ago. Dont stay away too long.

Honestly, so much has happened, that it feels like one big blur. My mom and I were talking about my move here again recently, and how absolutely stressful it was. I can still hardly stand to think about it, and can't even express how awful the whole situation was. Can you believe it'll be five years ago this August? That doesn't seem real at all.

I actually have always defended my love and longing for summertime, because I love swimming, but we swam in the ocean a couple weeks ago in Hatteras, which felt really good, but just 10 minutes out of the water, we were miserable again. We have been going outside to take care of plants, then running back in, because it's over 100 degrees every day on our back deck. The walls are starting to close in, though, so we're going to get out of here in a bit, since I'm caught up with work, and head to Hatteras to buy some shrimp. Good hearing from you!!

My wife and I will be in Italy for 10 days and France for 7 days in September. Shoot me a PM if you need any info

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My wife and I will be in Italy for 10 days and France for 7 days in September. Shoot me a PM if you need any info

Will do! Thank you! France is on my list, too!

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Check out Positano on the Amalfi Coast. My daughter and her hubby went there a year ago and loved it and loved the food. Fabulous beaches covered in sea glass. They brought me a whole bag home of it. They are probably your age and daughter couldn't stop picking up sea glass. They just loved it. Have a wonderful trip!

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Check out Positano on the Amalfi Coast. My daughter and her hubby went there a year ago and loved it and loved the food. Fabulous beaches covered in sea glass. They brought me a whole bag home of it. They are probably your age and daughter couldn't stop picking up sea glass. They just loved it. Have a wonderful trip!

Yeah, I definitely plan on it. I know Positano is very touristy, but we are looking at the shoulder seasons, so hopefully not as bad, because we absolutely want to see the Amalfi Coast, Capri, etc. My brother and his family just go back from a three-week vacation in Italy, where they got to explore so much of the country. I couldn't leave my kitties for that long, so we are trying to figure out how to cram in as much as we can without feeling like we are constantly rushing around. I definitely want to see Pompeii!

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Thanks for checking in Jessica. Your friends here are always glad to hear you're happy living the dream. Congrats on the hydroponic growing success. I truly believe vertical hydroponics can bring farm to table to busy city living. Enjoy planning your well deserved vacations.

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Thanks for checking in Jessica. Your friends here are always glad to hear you're happy living the dream. Congrats on the hydroponic growing success. I truly believe vertical hydroponics can bring farm to table to busy city living. Enjoy planning your well deserved vacations.

Thank you so much! It’s great hearing from you!

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