Ch-Ch-Changes!

Just a quick note to any followers out there (Hi, Mom!) that our site url has changed to www.ThriftyGypsyTravels.blogspot.com.  I was finding the "Just a Thrifty Gypsy" handle to be more difficult for people to remember, and since the site name is "Thrifty Gypsy's Travels" it seemed appropriate to sync and standardize everything.  I've already updated all the links under our Adventures and Richmond Reviews & Ramblings pages, but you may find broken links in individual blog posts as I slowly begin the process of updating.  Please bear with me!

I'm also toying with the idea of overhauling the whole site with a new layout, but as procrastination is my middle name, that may take a while.  Please just keep that in mind if you stop by and things seem a little wonky around here!

If you're following me through Bloglovin', you'll need to follow under the new url or by clicking this link:  Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Thanks for your understanding!

Wave Jumping & Beach Bumming in OBX

With only ten paid vacation days in a year, our vacations tend to resemble a gauntlet of things to do and see rather than a time to unplug and relax.  After all, I have more bucket lists than I can ever possibly accomplish!  However, every now and then we're able to squeeze in a "mini-vacay" that revolves solely around relaxation.

For Labor Day this year, we spent a long weekend in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, situated on the northern end of the beautiful barrier islands of the Outer Banks (OBX), with some close friends and picture-perfect weather.  Although we began the weekend with every intention of checking out the Wright Brother's museum or driving up to Corolla to see the wild horses, we ended up parking our butts on the beach.  All. Weekend. Long.  It was one of the most gloriously relaxing weekends of the whole summer!

"I've got my toes in the water, ass in the sand, No worries in the world, a cold beer in my hand..."
-Zac Brown Band

 The men-folk were eagerly searching for Blackbeard's treasure so that we'd have enough money to never return to work!

The waves were just perfect for some body surfing.

Bev:  Did that bird just crap on my towel?

Danny:  Bad news, Bev.  He did.

(Henceforth, we referred to said bird as "Carl.")

One of our favorite beach activities is driving our four-wheel drive vehicles out on to the sand.  However, this is only permissible further south in the Outer Banks, so this picture is a flashback to a beach trip from 2009 in Ocracoke.

The Pirate Crew.

Although the Outer Banks can't offer crystal clear waters like Sorrento (Italy) or the Caribbean, I always count them among my favorite beaches due to the wonderful memories made with friends and family, and this Labor Day trip will be high among them!

Have you been to the Outer Banks of North Carolina?  Where are your favorite beaches?

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Linking up with other travel bloggers for #WeekendWanderlust!

Throwback Thursday: Crabtree Falls (2012)

Crabtree Falls, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, is the longest cascading falls east of the Mississippi in the United States.  It's a fairly easy hike for people and puppies (we did it in the rain and mud!), and the trail affords great views of the falls on the way up and the mountainside at the top.