Corolla Duck Manteo Ocracoke I need to stay home

I went to Nags Head to a painting workshop, the last day our teacher was sick so I had to decide whether to paint outside on my own (HOT and HUMID) or go exploring, so no surprise I went exploring.

I'm always looking for painting ideas. For the past 15 years I've concentrated on New Bern and towns close for things to paint because I've just sold my work at Carolina Creations. We sold everything I could do. But now with more time, I'm thinking I'll approach some galleries in other towns, so that really opens up what my subject matter might be.

My first stop was the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. I love the surrounding buildings just as much as the lighthouse itself.

The are other spots along the Outer Banks. I'm always pleased when a photo turns out nice, because I rarely take photos for the photo, I usually am taking them for ideas of things to paint.

Manteo is a pretty little town on Roanoke Island. 

The Manteo waterfront is beautiful plus the Downtown is attractive too.

The Elizabethan Gardens were established over 50 years ago and contain an ancient stone fountain, a waterfront gazebo, benches, statues and fabulous live oaks. 

There wasn't much in bloom when I was there but it was still worth the visit.

Read more about it.

I saw this black and white cat in the garden, the most interesting thing about it was I saw 3 cats on my trip, this one at Manteo, another in Salvo and the third on Ocracoke, and they all looked just alike!

My next stop was Bodie Island Light, followed by Hatteras Light. I've seen them before but how can you pass a lighthouse without taking a photo of it?

I took the ferry to Ocracoke and loved seeing the dolphins following us.

I've been to the Outer Banks 7 or 8 times so I didn't go anywhere I hadn't been before but this was the first time by myself.

Someone told me when your spouse dies it actually gets harder a year or so out rather than easier. I have to attest to that. I told a friend that Michael always called me when I was traveling alone to see where I was, what I was doing and how things were going. The fact that he is not here is really driven home then. She said she felt like it was because you always knew someone had your back and now you don't. I think she is right.

So to counter act that I am always really careful when I travel, I don't let myself get into situations that aren't good, and so I just keep going. I love to explore, another friends said boy you are really a vagabond!

Down East North Carolina is a very remote part of our State, and fishing is still a big industry there.

I haven't painted any fishing boats in a long time but I think I can find a good painting or two in the photos I took. My list of paintings I want to do is getting pretty long!!