August 3, 2011

Well we made it to Ocrocoke.  The crossing of the Pemleco Sound was a bit rough for Cona.  Had trailing seas and 2-3 foot waves.  Made for a rocky trip.  Of course I sat back, put Miss Ellen on Auto Pilot and let her cruise, no problem.  Took us about 5 hours to make the trip.

Below is the first sun set in the harbor of Ocrocoke.  Ocrocoke sits in a lagoon of Silver Lake and is where Black Beard spent time.  It is also part of the coast know as the grave yard of the Atlantic, because of the thousands of ships that have sunk just off the coast.

This is a picture of the light house from the back of Miss Ellen

The light house close up.  It is a working light house so could only be observed from the outside.

The trip to the beach, which is part of the outer banks, was about 3 miles from the town  of Ocrocoke.  What is interesting is the sand.  It is very soft and only 4 wheelers are allowed on the beach.  It was hard to even walk in or on, but a good work out.

Cona on the beach.

As the beach was too far to walk we rented a golf cart for two days.  Several of the better restaurants were located on the far end of the island, so we used the cart to take advantage of the area to far to walk to.  We also us the cart to ride all over the island taking ever road and trail.  Some I'll show you.

There are three ferries that take people on and off the island, as boat (or small plane) is the only way on and off the island.  This is one of the ferries.  We were docked next to the terminal.

One of the better restaurants we ate.  All the restaurants were open and not air conditioned.  This had a screened in porch and fans and turned out to be pleasant. 

During the first of WWII England loaned America a ship to help protect the east coast of the Carolina's.  After two weeks into service a German sub sunk  the ship.  All of the crew were lost.  Four bodies were recovered and were buried by the people of Ocrocoke.  This is a picture of the grave site.  The Coast Guard now take care of the graves.

Typical looking structure on the island, this is a restaurant where we ate and listened to a great band playing jazz.

One of the original houses built in the 1700's.

Another house built in 1887.

One of our favorite things was a local theater called Deep Water Theater.  This is a great music group playing folk, blue grass and country.  This island as a lot of artist and craftsmen.  We went back twice to hear two groups tell stories.  On story teller was age 67  and  grew up on the island.  Went away to college and returned to the island.  As he lived and grew up on the island during the time a fellow I worked with said he lived on the island, I thought if any body new of my friend he would.  My friend was and interesting person and told  many stores about growing up on Ocrocoke island.  I never new if my friend was telling me the truth as he knew everything about any subject brought up.  However,  he was the one that got me interested in visiting Ocrocoke.  If he really was from Ocrocoke the story teller didn't know the name.  He even called his mother who was 90 and he claimed if any body knew him or his family she would.  Unfortunately, she didn't.  Whether my friend ever lived here or not, I'm glad to have visited.

This is the Molasses creek, we bought two of their albums.  Thourghly enjoyed their music. 

Picture of the local school.  Their graduating class this year was six.  Some years they have had one.  The only sport is basket ball because some years they didn't have enough boys or girls to make up a team.  We meet several locals that graduated from the school.  Most of their graduates go on to college and many return to the island to live.

Another old house, this is were the museum is located.

Another restaurant viewed from the water side.  Also open as you can tell.

 

The cemetery where the British navy soldiers are buried is located on British Cemetery  road.

Picture from the back of Miss Ellen, watching young people on the stand up surf boards having fun.  We watched as some could not stand up and kept falling off. 

Another musical group we sat and enjoyed.

Well that's about it for Ocrocoke.  A great visit.  We were going to stay three days ended up staying six. 

We are now in Hatteras on the outer banks.  I'll cover that in the next blog.