Ocracoke Island
Trip Start
Aug 08, 2010
1
56
69
Trip End
Nov 19, 2010
Ocracoke, North Carolina
Friday, October 22, 2010
If any one thing represents all of Hatteras Island/The Outter Banks, it has to be the famous black and white, spiral-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. This is one of most famous lighthouses in the nation, especially since it survived a controversial, precarious move in 1999. We are here during the off season so we were not able to climb the 12 stories to the top. Oh darn! We then drove over to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. This museum focuses on the maritime history and shipwrecks off North Carolina's Outer Banks, often called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. There have been more than 600 ships that have wrecked or sunk along the Cape. During WWII there were close to 80 merchant and Navy ships that were sunk by the Germans in this area which was called torpedo alley.
Then we headed to the Hatteras-Ocracoke (okra-coke) Ferry for the 40 minute ride to Ocracoke Island. We lucked out again, only had to wait 15 minutes to get on the ferry. You could see why this area is so dangerous for the ships. Ocracoke is a neat little town about 13 miles south of the ferry landing on the southernmost tip of The Cape. We found a place for lunch, Howard's Pub. This time of year most everything has closed for the season so this was a pretty busy place.
Then it was off to find the Ocracoke Lighthouse. It was a quick stop and back to the ferry for the ride home. Not as lucky going back, as we missed the ferry by one car so had to wait for the next one, but it arrived early so only had to wait 30 minutes. It was after 6pm when we got back and my cold had set in so LeeDelle made me a hot toddy and we called it a night. Thanks LeeDelle, I do feel better this morning.
Today I stayed in bed while everyone else got up early to see the sunrise, I saw the sunrise yesterday.
Then we got together and cooked breakfast and ate outside. What can I say - another great day! Today we are hanging out enjoying our last day on the beach. Hope to watch the sun go down this evening on the Sound side of the RV park.
Tomorrow we head west toward Charlotte, before heading south again.
Comments
What's better than the ocean !? Never seen the Atlantic. Guess its somewhat calmer than the Pacific.
We are doing a surprise 60th for Flo at the Peacock Thursday evening 6pm ish. including the Ya Ya spouses and a friend from Flo's work is taking care of inviting those folks. Should be fun. Give a call if you think about it or I will call you. Miss you ofcourse. Love