Vacation: Day 12 con't.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

After lunch, Jen & I walked along the main thoroughfare of Ocracoke, wandering in and out of galleries, shops and stores. Since high season was over, nearly everything was on sale. One store had a tumble table and I picked up a fleece sweatshirt and a swimsuit coverup for Alexa for $5 each. One of my favorite places to shop in Ocracoke is the Village Ragpicker. They have the most beautiful rag rugs ..... I'll be sending off for 2 of them for Elly's Christmas present.

After contributing to the island's economy, we decided to take a driving tour of the village. We began our exploration on Howard Street.

Howard Street is one of the oldest street in the village. Originally a simple foot path, in 1835 the court ordered it to be widened. Still, up until recently, Howard Street was a sandy lane - now it is "paved" with a crushed shell mixture.

Mr. Phil Howard writes in his Ocracoke Newsletter, "According to a legal petition of 1835 this public road "served the purpose of all the inhabitants since [its establishment], however the population of Ocracoke have greatly increased." The petitioners were requesting permission to lay out a public road on the North side of Cockle Creek, from "just North of Thomas Bragg's House" to "John Pike's garden" and then all the way to the Sound, about a half mile. Originally this was merely a foot path, but now it was to be widened and would include what became historic Howard Street. Apparently the Northern side of Cockle Creek had, by that time, "become thickley settled and the business of the Island both Public and Private have become much divided and where formerly there was no store, there is now three."

We headed towards the south end of the island. That's where the lighthouse stands. I've taken so many pictures of this lighthouse over the years, we didn't even stop. I felt kind of guilty. If I were Catholic, I suppose not stopping could be likened to not genuflecting at the altar.

We explored the narrow lanes and beaches along the sound. Does anyone know what kind of flowers these are? One section of a street was lined with them.

We parked the car and followed a likely looking pathway to the sound. After navigating our way around the wind-stunted trees and shrubs, exposed roots half buried in the sand, we came to a narrow little beach, totally deserted. The sound was "slick cam" and off in the distance we could see a ferry making its way to the mainland. Jennifer insisted climbing out onto a rock jetty for a photo op - I was concerned that she would slip on the sharp rocks, but she made it out a goodly way.

To be continued in next post .....

And now .... for something different .....

Blog Updates

I've added some new elements to my page. The sidebar now contains links to Outer Banks web cams. If I've missed any good ones, please let me know.

Also, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page. Occasionally, I'll be adding more "stuff" there. Melody's newest video has been posted there - a wonderful plane ride from Kitty Hawk to Currituck Beach Light at sunset. I'm also considering posting slide shows of previous vacations.

Comments? Questions?

Flowers along Howard Street by Jeff

Vacation: Day 12

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

First, thank you to those who participated in my poll. I was not surprised to see that 70% would rather have an ocean front home on the Outer Banks as opposed to world peace. There's some profound statement regarding our society with those results, I'm just not sure what it is.

Jennifer & I decided to hit Ocracoke Island for the day. Even though the ferry was directly across the street from us, we still didn't time it right and had to wait for the next loading. I don't mind sitting in line for the ferry .... it definitely could have been worse, as these old photos show .....

You see a lot of interesting things as you sit in line. Here's a motor home with a decidedly red neck motif.

I love riding the ferry between Hatteras and Ocracoke. And, instead of paying $30 for an hour boat ride from one of the marinas, you get a 45 minute ride for free! There's usually some sort of activity in the sound ..... folks with their rakes, clamming, or boats anchored for fishing. Often, dolphins swim along side of the ferry, leaping out of the water.

After landing on the north end of the island, we drove south towards the little village of Ocracoke. To our left, we caught glimpses of white beaches and azure waters, between the dunes. On the right, acres of salt marshes stretched to the sound. Crossing numerous creeks, we'd occasionally observe small boats tied up at the shore. A few miles north of the village, a grande allee of loblollies tower over the road. The sight of these pines never cease to amaze me. They look so out of place on this wind swept strip of sand.

Route 12 ends at Silver Lake, once known as Cockle Creek. In 1931, Cockle Creek was dredged to form the picturesque harbor. Narrow lanes meander throughout Ocracoke, seemingly with no rhyme nor reason in their direction. Many of the streets are little more than sandy pathways, lined with massive live oaks. Small cottages are tucked behind weathered picket fences, with family cemeteries in their side yard.

Our first stop was at the Jolly Roger. It's a great place to grab lunch and a beer, all the while watching the busy little harbor. We had the same waitress we've had for the past 3 years. Jen & I ordered a platter of nachos and some burritos. They were very good! Of course, the resident ducks were begging for a hand out. It's verboten to feed the quackersin the dining area. I always feel so sorry for them.

After lunch, we began our tour of Ocracoke. I shall continue with Ocracoke in my next post.

Steaks Gone Missing

Vacation Day: 11

Monday, October 6, 2008

Once in a while, though very seldom, one craves something other than seafood for dinner. I know it's rare, but it's true. Sometimes, a big, juicy steak just hits the spot after a day at the beach.

I have yet to find any market on the Outer Banks that sells good beef, so other than hamburger, I don't buy it out there. Since Darrin would be visiting, it was decided that she'd pack up a cooler full of ribeye steaks from Big Ed's and fly them out to Hatteras to grill. Big Ed's is the steak house that Darrin and Eddie own in Thayer, Kansas. If you ever want a great steak, this is the place to go.

Darrin had attempted to check the cooler along with the rest of their luggage and was told that the cooler was small enough for a carry on. Of course, it was too big for the overhead rack, so the stewardess took possession of the cooler, assuring Darrin that the steaks would make the connecting flight to Norfolk International.

They didn't.

This was Saturday evening and we had planned on grilling the steaks Sunday - just in case any thawing had occurred during the flight. Darrin made a number of phone calls that night and was told that the steaks would be arriving on the next flight, care had been taken to keep the meat cold and a driver would bring them to the Lightship sometime after midnight.

Wouldn't ya know? The flight the ribeyes were on got in late and missed the courier service. More phone calls ensued on Sunday and finally around 11 o'clock Sunday night, the steaks arrived! Still frozen. I was amazed. We'd be grilling Monday evening!

Everyone except for Jennifer and me went to Ocracoke Monday. Levi and Alexa enjoyed the ferry ride.

And feeding the ducks at Silver Lake.

They even got to visit with Blackbeard!

Soon, it was time to leave Ocracoke and return to Hatteras.

Once back at the Lightship, Jeff & Jen grilled the steaks. What a great meal!!

Kiddles Are Here!

Vacation: Day 10

Sunday, October 5, 2008

This year, it seemed as though my housemates all arrived after sunset. As many of you know, it's a long drive from the Wright Bridge to the Bonner Bridge, but there's so much to see and at night, the bright lights of the restaurants and cottages light up both sides of the bypass. But then, it's a very dark, very long drive from the Bonner to Hatteras Village. I always wonder what first timers to the island think when they awaken their first morning, after arriving in the dark of night.

Darrin, Darcie, Levi & Alexa pulled in after the sun sank into the sound, both of the young ones still wide awake and ready to start their beachy adventures. Since Alexa was already a self proclaimed "Island Gurl," she knew what fun awaited. Levi, however, had not visited previously, so he was eager to see the ocean. We managed to delay the short walk to the sea until the next morning.

It was so wonderful to have the girls and kiddles with me! We so seldom get together, except for holidays - and now I'd have the Kansas Kids for an entire week!

Surprisingly enough, it was quiet the next morning when I got up to make the coffee. As I sat down to watch ... you got it ..... the Weather Channel, I could hear the sound of little footsteps tippy toeing on the stairs, followed by a tousled head of dark hair and two huge brown eyes appearing over the railing. I could hear Darcie whispering up the steps to Alexa - "Now, don't you wake up Grandma!" - and Alexa yelling back down, "It's okay! She's up!" And, now so was everyone else.

Alexa and I caught up on the past year's gossip & doings while Darcie made breakfast. Levi and Darrin joined us. Both of the kids were raring to go to the beach. Alexa somewhat impatiently. Once out of jammies and dressed in swimwear, they took off down the street to the walkover.

It was a good day to shell - with all of the recent rough surf, the beach was full of the sea's offerings. Returning with 2 bags of shells and deceased little aquatic creatures, we washed and sorted them. Quite a haul!

After a long day of shell hunting, it's always good to unwind, kick back and spend some time in the pool. I swear, Levi and Alexa are just a couple of little fish!

They both slept well that night.

Chris & Katie are Expecting!

Tao, born October 12th, will be arriving from Colorado to Chris & Katie's December 11th. We are all very excited!

Tao's momma is Maggie ....

and Papa is Kicker