The Duke

Lucy had asked Ricky about taking a vacation to the Outer Banks this year and he said "Yes, you find a place for us and for Fred and Ethel and I will pay for the whole trip". Lucy was ecstatic and began her search. Let's see, she needed two master bedrooms and they had to have king beds. Little Ricky Jr. had asked her to please, please get a place with a cool bunk bed so he could sleep on the top bunk and maybe a foosball table.

Lucy and Ethel definitely wanted someplace on the oceanfront and there had to be a community pool so little Ricky could swim. Fred said he would love it if there was a hot tub and Ricky wanted to make sure there was Internet access and that there was no smoking allowed. So, the list read: 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, oceanfront, 2 master bedrooms, 2 king beds and a bunk bed, no smoking, internet access and a pool. And, it had to be in Kill Devil Hills because that was where Lucy's favorite shops were located.

Lucy went to Google and put in "Outer Banks Oceanfront" where she saw Village Realty and from there she found the Croatan Surf Club. She called Ethel and then emailed her a link to the page for CSC3G--which sounded perfect. Ethel remembered that her sister had stayed at a Village Realty home last year and raved about the house and the excellent customer service; the "southern hospitality" she just loved.

There was not one pool, there were two! One was right on the oceanfront and the other was an indoor, heated pool that was open all year. Two hot tubs too! The dunetop deck looked great and Lucy knew little Ricky would be able to get to the beach easily using the private walkway.

Yes, Internet access was provided! Now Lucy, don't forget to bring your laptop pc. Fred was highly allergic to pet hair and this townhome had a no smoking policy and no pets were allowed. So far so good...and the kitchen looked great with granite countertops and stainless appliances. Now, about those beds ... yes! Two kings, one pyramid bunk, one day bed with trundle and two rollaways plus the two king bedrooms have master baths attached. Perfect. Yes, there was a washer and a dryer too.

Lucy and Ethel made plans to visit their favorite restaurants (Lone Cedar Cafe, Mama Kwans, Sugar Creek and Rundown Cafe) and their favorite shops too. Little Ricky wanted a new surfboard and his dad said OK so they planned on making an appointment with Murray Ross, the world famous surfboard shaper, located at Ocean Commerce Park at Mile Post 10 in downtown Kill Devil Hills. His boards were beautiful and this would be a great birthday present!

Fred and Ricky made plans to play golf at The Links in the Village at Nags Head and also bought tickets to the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama to surprise their wives.

Lucy made her reservation online, paid by credit card (she even had her own Visa card now!) and then she posted their vacation plans on Facebook. They vacationed happily ever after. Little RIcky's new favorite food was shrimp and grits while Ethel found out she liked soft shell crabs after all even if they do sometimes look like giant spiders.

Some particulars: Sunday check in day. Located near Mile Post 7.5 on the Beach Road in Kill Devil Hills.
The pools are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and lockers are available on the ground level for individual use, please bring your own lock.