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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Settling in

Last night, in between torrential downpours, I was able to finally get the sewer connection hooked up.  Sometimes I don’t have the hand strength to twist the connections.  I needed three sections to make the hose long enough to reach the sewer connection, and getting that third one to cooperate took repeated tries over two days.  It does give me a sense of accomplishment though when I finally make things work properly. 

This morning’s mission was to visit the Saturday morning farmer’s market in Manteo, and get a hair cut in Kitty Hawk.  I just love the name of the towns around here…Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Rodanthe, Waves, Nags Head, Stumpy Point, Ocracoke etc.  

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Finding a parking spot along the shore in Manteo is a challenge.  I had to walk several blocks to get to the farmer’s market, but it’s very pleasant along the boardwalk.

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Along the way, I found it a bit disconcerting to think about the sign on the left.  Yuck!  It turns out this area used to be the water treatment plant for Manteo.

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I’m sure the influx of tourist dollars persuaded the powers that be that this scene was a great improvement over a water treatment plant.

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I only found one actual farmer at the market.  The rest of the booths had jewelry, dog bones, jams, jellies, and a very crabby lady selling windows.  I could go on about her, but I think it’s best to just forget about that encounter.

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I ended up buying three scrumptious home grown tomatoes, and a big bag of the longest green beans I’ve ever seen.  Can you believe that these beans are 20” long?  I fixed a big bowl of them for dinner tonight, and they were quite tasty.  The young farmer told me that they are an old variety, and in the old days people would pick them and drape them over their arm.  This young farmer couple bring organic produce here every week, and I signed up to get an email telling what they have available each week.  They occasionally bring pork and lamb to sell, and I’m looking forward to trying their pork.  I think I’ll skip the lamb though.

I did manage to get a nice hair cut at a reasonable price in Kitty Hawk, and then returned to the rig.  The rains began again in earnest late this afternoon, so we’ve pretty much been confined inside.  I’ve been perusing the restaurant pamphlets, and may just return to the ‘Tale of the Whale’ tomorrow for my birthday dinner.  I’m eyeing the Garlic Shrimp (fresh caught off shore) on their menu.  I do really like shrimp.  Smile  That’s where I went for my birthday dinner five years ago.  Yep, I’m getting into the OBX groove…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

38 comments:

  1. How long has it been since you tried lamb? Was it organic? It is really tasty, I think, although I didn't eat it until I moved to Ireland.

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  2. I love those beans. If you could hang them over your arm, you could probably make a whole meal out of one :) Fresh green beans are a favorite of mine. I think I could just eat them for a meal...wouldn't need anything else. Haven't seen a Farmers Market in awhile and I really miss them.

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  3. We were at Kitty Hawk some years ago. The Wright exhibit had a fabulous volunteer guide, as I recall. It was much more interesting than I had expected.

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  4. Yummy...there's nothing better then fresh picked green beans from the garden. I kind of miss having a vegetable garden, just don't have the space anymore.

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  5. Beautiful header photo.

    There is nothing better than a homegrown tomato. Just makes my mouth water thinking about it. Can't wait till we can start picking them out of my dad's garden.

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  6. Happy Birthday, Judy. Hope you have a great day, a good year ahead, and a wonderful dinner tomorrow.

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  7. Happy Birthday, Judy! I hope this one is the best yet!

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  8. Happy birthday, Judy. I hope you have a great day! Windows--at a farmer's market? I've noticed that farmer's market usually have many non-food items, but I've never seen windows! :)

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  9. Happy birthday Judy, I think shrimp sounds like a wonderful birthday present to yourself. Enjoy.

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  10. Have a great birthday Judy, may the years continue to be good to you. Happy Birthday!

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  11. Judy,

    Just a thought and I've never done this because my wife would help me connect and disconnect the sewer hose sections. Anyway, I wonder if you were to buy two of the adjustable rubber "wrenches" used to remove a car engine oil filer. These have a rigid handle and an adjustable rubber strap that is wrapped around the oil filter and then slid into a notch in the handle. With two of these you could probably manage the sewer hoses yourself.

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  12. We love the Outer Banks, our daughter was married on the beach at Hatteras 5 years ago. While there, we enjoyed Ocracoke Island, Kitty Hawk and visiting Pea Island. My husband and other daughter brought their kayaks and enjoyed exploring the area. I am looking forward to more about the area in your
    blog !

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  13. Happy Birthday. I hope you don't get too much rain!

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  14. We didn't even visit our local farmers market yesterday, too early for anything really good such as tomatoes. I've yet to eat those two Arkansas tomatoes Jerry and Wanda brought me!

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  15. Definitely go for the garlic shrimp!!..with a nice glass of white wine, salad ...and a sinfully delicious dessert!! Happy Birthday, girlfriend...I'm right behind ya next May..Oh Goody, more government involvement ;-)

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  16. Happy Birthday, Judy! So envious of your location. Hubby was living @ Kitty Hawk, when we met ... he had lived and worked on OBX for around 30 years. I often wondered why he moved inland instead of me moving to the OBX .. anyway.. we did move back for a while and love the area... be sure to check out Awful Arthurs.. MP 6 across from the pier..Joe worked there for many many years the STEAMED SHRIMP are to die for IMHO...if ya go, ask for AJ and tell him Joe and Marsha say Hello !

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  17. Those beans and tomatoes look fantastic. Looks like you are really going to enjoy the OBX

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  18. A very, very happy birthday to you, Judy! Hope you have a really pleasant day and a scrumptious dinner! Nothing like fresh seafood on the coast!

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  19. Happy Birthday. My hubby wishes he was there to enjoy that shrimp dinner with you. I'd be the one with the steak. I wonder if a macerator would make it easier for you to connect the sewer. Jim sure does like ours.

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  20. Happy Birthday, Judy. Here's hoping you return to the 'Tale of the Whale' for dinner and order the best thing on the menu - and, don't forget dessert as it's your birthday. Have a great one.

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  21. Miller's Seafood right near the bridge over to Manteo is good. If you want a dive bar with really great atmosphere and oysters…Goombays on the beach road a bit north of the Wright Brothers Memorial. But the best place in OBX is the Black Pearl; it's on the beach road about 4 miles north of the Memorial and about 2-3 miles south of where the road heads up to Duck. The Sunset Grill up in Duck used to be a great sunset/have a drink place; but management changed and it had gone to the dogs when we tried it last summer.

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  22. Happy Birthday Judy, hope you enjoy your retirement ;]

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  23. Happy Happy Birthday Judy! I could use both the fresh produce and the haircut right now.

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  24. You just reminded me that we forgot the green beans!!! Rats! We sure came home with most everything else! We are sure eating high on the roasting ear now! No hogs here though. Need your addy so I can send the book.

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  25. Pretty strange -- never seen windows sold at a farmer's market before. Love your header photo.

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  26. Happy birthday, enjoy your garlic shrimp

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  27. Happy Birthday Judy and hope you enjoy a wonderful BD dinner. LOVE those fresh green beans.

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  28. Happy Birthday!! I hope the weather clears and you have a great day!!! Those beans look so good.

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  29. Nice photos!

    Those look like the "Chinese string beans". We usually cut them into ~4" long and stir fry with pressed garlic and salt.

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  30. Oh man.... garlic shrimp, those unimaginable green beans and home grown tomatoes!!! You are definitely living the life!

    Happy Birthday!!!

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  31. Happy Birthday and have a great dinner.

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  32. Happy Birthday Judy!

    I am trying to catch up on blogs. Been to tired to read then at night.
    Rain! we have had so much here too.

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  33. Happy Birtday Judy! Enjoy your special day to the fullest.

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  34. "Nights in Rodanthe" - which was filmed in the area - is one of my favorite movies! It is so beautiful on the OBX. Glad you are settled in and finding such amazing food. Hope you had a fantastic birthday and found something delectable for your birthday dinner!

    And do-tell about the cranky window lady!!

    Kerri in AL :-)

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  35. Don't you just love Farmer's Markets that don't have any farmers?? Some seem to be very strict about keeping out the arts & crafts type vendors, and I've never heard of building materials being sold at one!! Hopefully as the season progresses you'll have a few more choices.

    And..... Happy Birthday!

    Mark

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  36. Happy Birthday, Judy! That garlic shrimp dinner sounds yummy, and don't forget dessert! Many places will give you a free dessert for your birthday (unfortunately, these sometimes come with a serenade from the wait staff LOL). I've never been to North Carolina, so I'm taking notes of your adventures for my future road trip(s).

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