I'm not quite sure where I'm getting the strength to write this, or rather, type this. Today was a long day, starting in a town who's name escapes me, but it was 80 miles north of Norfolk on route 13. By 10:30, we had crossed the Norfolk bridge/tunnel which covers about 10 miles, three long running bridges and two tunnels. The sky was very overcast and quite impressive even though it didn't rain at all. Nonetheless, we rode with our raingear for a good 100 miles.
From 13 we got onto I64 until exiting onto route 168, Battlefield Road, the route to Kitty Hawk. That ride covered another 90 miles, a nice but somewhat featureless road. We arrived in Kitty Hawk around 1pm or so, stopping to ask where the Wright Brothers flew. It would have added 20 roundtrip miles to see the field that marks where their plan took off and touched down, so thinking about the ferry rides, we continued on.
We stopped in Nags Head for lunch (the 1st 2 pics are outside their door), a yummy barbque, where the restaurant owner called the NC Ferry system to confirm they were still running and if we needed reservations (for the 2nd ferry .. yes). He provided us with delicious baby backs, fantastic coleslaw and the phone number for the NC ferry system. I called whole eating and made reservations for both of us.
We had 50 miles to ride (it was now 2pm), through 4-5 towns down the Outer Banks. The ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke Island left every 30 minutes (40 minute ride), whereas the ferry from Ocracoke to Cedar Island left at 3pm, 6pm and 8pm (2 hour ride). Off we went.
The ride down the Hatteras sea shore was nice (notice the sand dunes on the beach) and only slowed down by the towns. We arrived at the Hatteras ferry system at 3:15, in time for the 3:30, which got us to Ocracoke by 4:15.
The ride to the south side of the island too 14 minutes and allowed us the time to explore just a bit. Ocracoke is a perfect resort area if you'd like to get away, be quite isolated and have a very relaxed time. We were the first on the 6pm ferry, which experienced some rough water, in that the 2 hour ride covered 23 miles and was exposed to the open ocean. Not too bad, even with a little rocking and rolling. We arrived at 8pm on Cedar Island, very tired and took a room in the hotel just off the dock. We'll need the rest for tomorrow we try to make it to Terry's house in Port St. Lucie.
post scipt: the hotel at the ferry dock; the fleebag inn; was terrible. If you ever have the opportunity to stay at the hotel on Cedar Island at the ferry doc; dont!
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