“Lord, let me live long enough to run the wheels off the Atlas with Ron,” I prayed silently in my hospital bed a week ago today.
When my left leg swelled, pain radiating along its entire length while golfing, we knew another blood clot had formed. A year to the day after my first one, I found myself back at Riverside Hospital, an I.V. of Heprin pumping into my veins, with another massive blood clot running from my calf to the abdomen, waiting for the vascular surgeon to remove it.
Praise God for modern medicine and His grace that saved a sinner like me.
God’s mercy saved my life a second time, and as I sit in the Atlas, Sophia by my side, I can’t help but praise Him. The pounding rain and whipping wind usher in the new day, the Lord answering my prayer as we embark on our first camping trip post blood clot removal.
Parked in Site 11 at OBX campground, this space holds a special place in our hearts. Our first trip with Lucky, the used camper we bought from Scott on Craig’s list, and the beginning of our RVing life together started in Site 11 and remained one of our beloved memories.
Since the first trip coincided with the OBX campground opening, they’ve removed the trees along the waterfront, opening up the view and creating a camper’s haven. Then, permanent campers lined the middle of the campground with a cemetery in the center; now, they only make short-term reservations for vacationers. Over the years, we’ve made beautiful memories on this little plot.
With rain still falling, Ron headed to work, and I went with him. While Ron completed his projects, I walked the strip mall, venturing into any open store. When I came upon Dollar Tree, I strolled each aisle and picked up a few things we needed for the Atlas.
Lunch at Dirty Dick’s at first seemed unaffordable, but the $16.16 pound-for-pound lunch special helped us stay within budget. Ron enjoyed a pound of snowlegs and red potatoes while I opted for steamed shrimp and french fries, barely able to finish them.
Arriving at the trailer around 1:00, Ron opted for a nap while I took my chair to the dock and chatted with my dear friend Laura. Since she went back to work full-time, we have had difficulty connecting. For over an hour, we caught up on life and the past few months’ events, starting with Ron’s dad’s death, progressing to her first grandbaby, due Aug. 9th, and finishing with hopeful plans to see each other sometime soon.
When the skies cleared and the sun shone brightly, we took the pups for a quick walk on the beach. Neither of us witnessed the hazy sight that greeted us: warm air meeting cool water, covering the beach in a gray haze, making sight limited.
A few men played frisbees, mom watching close by with a toddler. Seagulls flew away when the dogs barked, and the ocean waves created a rhythmic sound, the sand cold beneath my feet. Not wanting to overdo it, we only walked twenty minutes before returning to the camper.
Waking at 5:30, I enjoyed the view while reading my Bible and connecting with the Lord. Words from Exodus 12 reminded me of the parallels between Christ’s crucifixion and the Israelite’s Exodus from Egypt, making me grateful, once again, for our Savior.
Cloudy, the sun peaked through on occasion, warming the cool air slowly. Our neighbor walked his dog to the dock as the sun made its presence known.
“Let’s go get our worship on,” I told Ron as I climbed in the truck. Nags Head Church’s welcoming spirit, fantastic music, and excellent messages always make us feel at home. One of the things we look forward to most when we come to OBX.
After church, we filled the truck with diesel at Harris Teeter’s and picked up a few supplies.
“You wanna take me to Belk?” I asked Ron.
“Of course I do.” And off we went so I could shop at one of my favorite stores with Ron’s card since I left mine at home. I picked up a set of twin sheets for the trailer but found no other deals.
Ron cooked salmon for lunch and napped while I researched our May camping trip. Wanting to add Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to our “States we’ve camped” map, in the end, we decided to postpone the trip until we had more time.
After Ron woke, we went to Swells’ A Brewing on Beach Road and booked Jekyll Island for our May trip. With only a few spots available, we took what we could get. Stopping by Barefoot Bernie’s on the way back to the trailer, we watched golf and had an appetizer.
Once back at the camper, I built a fire, and Ron fed the pups. Even though the thermometer said 70, the wind made it feel chillier than the day before. Stacking the wood high, I created an inferno that kept us warm, and Ron grilled hamburgers for dinner. Nothing beats the simplicity of camping life.
Turning in early, we spent a cozy night cuddling in the camper, leaving at 7:21 the following day, rain escorting us home.
