Monday, July 10, 2017

Ocracoke

Along the shore:
Gorgeous, empty beaches. Best place to watch the sunrise in the summer is on the ocean side right at the Hatteras Ferry terminal. I wish more people reported in on where the best place to watch the sunrise is. Lots of awesome treasures on these shores. Warm, very swimmable water. Gentle and nice until the tide started coming in on Thursday...then MFD went from four pieces of fishing equipment at the water's edge down to two then to zero. The ocean is a cruel mistress. After much hand wringing and pacing through thunderous punishing surf, all four pieces were recovered. 
Flora & fauna:
Green, blue, and riotous flowers. Grateful for large shady trees on hot days. I always forget how wet the south is until I am under its blanket of humidity. 

Spotted:
Library parking, inviting porch at The Flying Melon, looks like America's open, feminist book spread at Books to Be Red, shark swing, markers next to the British Cemetery, July 4 leftovers at Books to Be Red, porch at Magic Bean, Ocracoke Lighthouse

Good food:
Fish tacos from Eduardo's Taco Stand
Fried green tomatoes with a shrimp topper at The Flying Melon Cafe
Sweating glasses of sweet tea everywhere, no regrets
Egg sandwich with prosciutto and manchego cheese on a buttermilk biscuit + apple pancake from Dajio
Solid grilled chicken sandwich at Jason's
Fresh shrimp + fries at the Jolly Roger
Fresh grouper with mango sauce + key lime pie at Back Porch

My kind of people: 
I met a few strong female proprietors and people on my wavelength. 

Animals:
Pelicans everywhere. I love those big gallumps. Ghost crabs skittering over the dunes at dawn. MFD rescuing a turtle on the main road. Ponies in pens. Duck family at our hotel. Lincoln the dog at Magic Bean. The Ocracoke Coffeehouse dog. 

Where we stayed: 
Ocracoke Harbor Inn - Great location, nice people, fine price, great view. We could also rent bikes right there, which is how we got around the village. 

How we got to and fro: 
Drove from home down through Hatteras and took the ferry over, then took the ferry from Ocracoke to Cedar Island and drove another hour and a half down to Emerald Isle, NC. To:
Fro: 
Videos:
Ocracoke dirt road bike ride (wobbly, not for those with motion sickness)

Verdict:
We both loved this laid back, magic little unicorn of an island. People loaded up in the back of pick up trucks riding around; languid afternoons; the low hum of struggling air conditioners; the fresh seafood; the Strathmere on an island a few hours down the coast from the Jersey shore; the wild, salty, lawless feeling live and let live land. 

What do you do when it rains on vacation? Blog about the first part of your vacation.



14 comments:

  1. Your words made me feel like I was with you!

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  2. Ahh sounds like a laid back chill vacation! Those signs are hilarious!

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  3. Sounds like a hidden gem and I'm sure it was fun exploring something new for you two! The pictures do the talking on all that Ocracoke has to offer!

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  4. I just saw this now- Tuesday morning ❣️ It didn't come through my email. Anyway. Splendid review. I wish I could beam myself there. Safe and happy travels ❣️
    Love. Your. Momma.

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  5. I love Hatteras and Ocracoke so much! Love the photos!

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  6. When it rains on vacation... Depends. If in a city or if there is an agenda to adhere to, I just pull out the rain jacket and carry on. If at the beach, where the agenda is more hanging around and relaxing, I've been known to take drives, explore the shops in town, and even take in a movie if there is a theater.

    I love the Outer Banks. When I visited, I was further north, near Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. Such pristine shoreline, so rugged and unspoiled. I enjoyed that trip a lot. Glad you did as well.

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  7. I love the "your kind of people" pictures. You just find the coolest thing.

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  8. You look young and blond and skinny in Okracoke, my love!

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  9. Wow awesome view and awesome food that can make your visit in fact a perfect one.
    Emma Charlotte | Affordable-Dissertation.co.uk

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  10. I love the way you recapped this. I've never heard of this place. I'm not good with a relaxing vacation but this sounds like great low-key exploring to see new things but not being exhausted when you leave.

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  11. Amazing pics! Hope you're enjoying!

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  12. I'm so glad you had a great trip! Ocracoke really is such a magical little place. It's hard to explain until you visit but once you're there you never wanna leave. :)

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  13. I agree with you on reporting where to see a sunrise (or sunset). Your photos were magical and everything seemed like a great break from reality... which is what I was needing. Funnily enough, it seemed like everyone started going there after I noticed you were there. Coincidence? I think not.

    Also... there was a guy in my presentation named Michael Doyle. All I could think about about MFD and the attachable nail clippers. It took everything in me not to laugh.

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  14. "Magic little unicorn of an island" loved. loved that line.

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