Ocracoke, OBX

After another cruise, this one for 2 1/2 hours we reached Ocracoke to begin our trip up the Outer Banks. Just off the terminal is a sign pointing to the British Cemetery. Interesting, along the side of two family cemeteries is an area where some British sailors are buried. This is remnants of WWII  when a British ship was sunk by German subs and some of the bodies washed ashore. Very nice setting.    

 Cedar Island ferry terminal in the rear view mirror.

 

There is something special about old cemeteries

 
It's around 10 AM and we were directed to the local's Ms Caroline's which is the Pony Island Restaurant. The place is full - must be Spring Break - but after a short wait we we're seated and enjoyed a great breakfast. Now the real tour starts, first stop is the lighthouse which you can walk up to but are not able to walk up. After driving to the cemeteries, the lighthouse and the restaurant we've pretty much seen the entire town. Neat little place with it's cottages, condos and vast assortment of tourist related businesses.

Shadow checking out the Ocracoke Lighthouse

 Now we're driving past 14 miles of dunes within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. There are several breaks for walking to the beach and also some non serviced camp sites. The ferry for Hatteras Inlet is getting ready to load and we're fourth in line. This is a 45 minute cruise but it was very windy with white caps and it seemed like the captain went way out to make the turn because of the currents and windage. Long lines of well equipped sport fishing boats in the marina seem to be waiting for the weather to calm down  As we drove north it started to rain and it was a steady drizzle when we arrived at the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. That rain is not going to slow us down for our photo op. Besides the attendant at the ferry told us that the rain  would stop in the early afternoon. The lighthouse was closed so we couldn't climb the 212 steps to the top. Susan was happy. This is the lighthouse that was moved away from original site because the ocean was lapping at it's door.

Cape Hatteras Light is really majestic  

One more lighthouse to go. After crossing the high level bridge across the Oregon Inlet and more lines of sport fishing boats we spotted the Bodie Island Lighthouse which seemed a long way from the inlet. Again a walk to but not up.

We're heading north again to turn west on Hwy 64 to Roanoke Island for a tour of Manteo, a nice town where they tell me that the locals don't pronounce the T. A quick drive through, stop at the local food market and so much for Manteo, now for a '180' down to our RV park for the night

Cape Bode Lighthouse  It's been a good lighthouse day.

Tom Pippen's nephew Chad Bond is a Captain on a Cape Hatteras ferry. Unfortunately today he was on the other ferry so all I could do is wave to him. It was windy, raining and you can see the choppy seas