I’m back in Maine but wanted to share the Outer Banks with all of you. As usual, I am really late posting on the blog but here goes.
We left our hotel in New Bern early in the morning and headed for Cedar Island, North Carolina. We were about to give the North Carolina’s ferry system a try. We caught the 10 AM ferry and for a mere $15, we drove our truck onto the ferry and had a two and a half hour leisurely trip across Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke. Too easy!! Once the ferry is underway, we were able to get up and walk around. There is a comfortable lounge where you can sit inside, some benches up on the 2nd level, you can lean on the rail and watch for dolphins and sea birds or you can stay in your vehicle and take a nap (which is what I did for part of the ride). As always, if you would like the see the photo’s larger, just click on the photo.
Say "hi" to the camera woman!
Going my way?
A pig advertising barbecue sauce stops to wave hello
Ocracoke Island is a sleepy little place with a lighthouse, some restaurants and bars, and I’m told, a nice beach. There are a LOT of places for rent but because the season was just beginning, there really was not too many people around.
Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island
One of the many places to eat on the island.
We checked out the lighthouse, had a tasty lunch at the Flying Melon Cafe and then we were off to Hatteras on another ferry. The ferry ride to Hatteras takes about forty minutes and it is free to use. The North Carolina ferry system is awesome!
We love the ferry system in NC
The historic, black and white Cape Hatteras lighthouse was the next stop. It is 200 feet high with 268 steps and it is the 23rd tallest traditional lighthouse in the world. It is still operational. The really amazing thing is that because of erosion, between 1999 and 2000, it was moved from its original location at the edge of the ocean to safer ground 2,870 feet inland. Wow!!
Historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
We stayed at the Surf Side Hotel at Nags Head for three nights. The hotel was wonderful and right next to the beach. It was too cool to swim but it was nice to walk in the sand and surf. It was centrally located for sight-seeing and checking out some other places that we wanted to visit on the Outer Banks.
Footprintes in the sand.
This young fella couldn't quite stand on his board.
We visited all of the four lighthouses and took a ride down the beach in Currituck, in our truck (yes, that is legal), and visited the Wright Brothers museum. We had hoped to see the wild horses but the tide was coming in and I chickened our and we drove back before seeing any (sigh). Maybe the next time we do it, we will take a tour and I won’t be so nervous about my truck being washed out to sea. 
Searching for wild horses...
Just a lot of sand, water and other vehicles - no horses.
It's a dogs life! This one even has a little hat to shade his brow.
I liked the Currituck Lighthouse best.
Visiting the Wright Brothers museum was one of the main reasons for traveling to the Outer Banks. Steve was a pilot for a good part of his life and had never been there. We spent an enjoyable afternoon checking out the area where flight began. It boggles the mind to think how far we have come in 100 years.
The first flight started right here.
This display was on the way out of the park.
Before we knew it, our Outer Banks adventure was over and we were on the way to the AGLCA Rendezvous in Norfolk, VA.
