Photoshoot in the Outerbanks

My sister Meghan saw that I'd accomplished my goal of writing 100 pages and said, "Good, just get in the car and let's drive." I strapped on my boot, packed a bag, got into the rental and we were off on the first vacation I've taken in about 1.5 years (due mostly to $ GAME cost and timing issues plus an issue I have with not giving myself time off unless I've earned it.)

I was not supposed to swim in the ocean due to my recent ankle reconstruction (thanks to $ GAME, too, another blog) and the fact that the waves, driven by undercurrents of pre-Hannah, were knocking healthy people over. My sister helped me into the water and it was fun until a wave hit me so hard that I crashed into her and ended up being wrapped around her ankles.

Activities (everyone else enjoyed, but I could not participate in) included: tennis, swimming, Marco Polo, synchronized swimming competition (I was a judge), biking, golf.

Activities (where I could play, too): kayaking with Gman, trivial pursuit and sitting on the couch, staring in shock and fear as we watched Sarah Palin become the Republican party's rock star.

Here are my photos, some of them are doctored with a paint tool.

Vote on your favorite photo:


Meghan H. over the shoulder.

Meg H. having a brew.


Patrika and Meg H.

Gman

Lavinia and her husband making a whirlpool.

Mike B and Meg H.

Another one of Mike B.

This could be my favorite. Not the best light and the camera started throwing a fit. But here is pretty Lavinia, aka Vinny, our Romanian sister.

Meg striking a Women's Health pose.

This is Trika. I dry brushed her a bit. The natural photo may be better.

Me as sexy house photographer, dressed like an albino.

Here's me in my OBX office, a screened-in porch overlooking the ocean. I spent most of my working hours planning the NYC screening of $ GAME. I also found a small gym where I could lift and a coffee shop for my daily run. Gman and I did go kayaking though. The plan after we were done was to say the heck with doctor's orders, I'm going to put on the Speedo and swim the sound!

Problem was that the sound was a gigantic five-foot mud puddle. It was best to stay in the boat.

Yes, we did eventually get in the water after going through a demo on land. I enjoyed our easy (free) ride and the lesson on the environment. Meg and Mike bailed on us second before we departed.

Here's a grainy shot of me in the Speedo, having had no luck with our swim in the sound. Meg and I went in the ocean and I enjoyed getting knocked around for a while. The ankle felt great, so I decided to push it with a walk in the ocean, no boot, no brace.

My sister took this photo of me when I was unaware of her presence, preoccupied with simply putting one foot in front of the other. I painted it in photoshop. It's the perfect shot of a washed-up athlete with a sore back and an ankle on the mend.

Looking forward to going back to OBX next year.