My DW and I are into Geocaching which takes us to some interesting places we otherwise wouldn't go. One of the more time consuming caches we like is a Delorme Challenge. If you know of the Delorme Atlas, picture having to go to each page in the book and finding something there. This means that once you have completed the Challenge, you have visited the entire state. Well, we started working on the NC Delorme Challenge in spring of 2007 and had everything covered except the pages along the NC coastline. I convinced DW we needed to travel the NC Outer Banks and finish up the challenge. The kids are more than old enough to leave home for a few days, so it would be just the two of us in the TC. She agreed, the weather cooperated so the adventure began.
We traveled up SC Hwy 41 to 17, then some backroads around Myrtle Beach, back onto Hwy 17 near the NC state line. First stop was the NC welcome center to get information on Wilmington, Outer Banks, and the ferries.
One of the neat things about GeoCaching, is the neat things that you stop at to complete a cache. At 55mph, this tree doesn't look like much, but once you stop, you notice the detail and handy work.
Neither would this, nor would you know the story. The book reads "Built by Emmett M. Sniff 2003 - 2004 at age 70 with the help of the Lord and my Grandson Calvin J Sniff age 16 Amen"
Knowing we would be away from chain resturaunts, I let DW go to one of our favorites.
After a few more caches, we finally arrived at the Cedar Island terminal around 10pm. The welcome center had told us we could spend the night in the ferry line, so that is what we did. First and only one in line til around 4:30am.
We were awakened in the morning with the other vehicles moving into the loading area, but we had to wait til 7:00 before it would be our turn. Waiting on the ferry gave us time to enjoy the sunrise and looking at the group of old Fords from Indiana making a grand touring loop.
Finally, we made it onto the ferry. The Cedar Island - Ocracoke ferry is a 23 mile, 2-1/2 hour trip.
Finally, Ocracoke comes into view.
We managed to fit down this side street while exploring the town, but I did climb up on the roof to check for damage since we drug a couple of limbs. No damage was found so we continued around town to enjoy the sights.
Thought about driving out on the beach, but didn't have the nerve without air down the tires, nor did I like the idea of salt water being splashed on the truck. So we continued on up to the pony pens.
At the north end of the island, we had a little time to kill before the ferry, so I decided to try the beach again. This time I went out on the beach. With the hard tires, I could feel the truck wanting to sink into the sand, but was able to keep enough momentum to get turn around and off the beach. DW said I had an extreme butt pucker look when I was on the beach.
The ferry to Hattaras was a nice short 40 minutes. Due to construction on the island, they were running 6 ferries which gave us more to look at during the trip.
Once in Hattaras, we stopped at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. No admission, but they do ask for a suggested $5 donation.
Quick stop at the Cape Hattaras Lighthouse. Between the DW not liking heights and the 30 minute wait for a tour, we skipped the tour.
More driving on up to Oregon Inlet.
As we cross the Oregon Inlet bridge, we conclude Part 1 of the trip report. For more pictures of this trip, check out my photo albums.
* This post was
edited 09/23/09 09:39pm by kohldad *
Photo Albums (Devil's Fork SP added 11/17/09)
2004.5 Ram 3500 4x4 Quad-Cab SRW CTD 6-spd
2004 Lance 815
1982 CJ-8 Scrambler - going, going, anyone
Loving wife, two horse crazed teenage daughters, two horses, two cats
Thanks for the report and pictures. Got about a week and half before I'll be there. That butt pucker look will go away the 3rd or 4th ,5th,6th,7th,8th, trip on the sand. But I love it. Donnie
We did the ferry rides in the early '70s (there were two... not as crowded back then either. I ended up sitting on top of our old camper wih my feet againest the side of the second level of the ferry to keep the camper from bouncing into it... we had WAVES.
It was a good time to be there... very little commercial development, no condos, just a few "shacks"
My best friend from Junior High school is now VicePrincipal at the brand new high school at Kill Devil Hills... very close to the Wright brothers original flight rail.
I think the only way to get on on the islands by bridge was at Marathon.
In the past few years I've enjoyed reading Homer Hikhams books Torpedo Junction and The Keepers Son about the submarines and ship wrecks in that area.
Thanks for posting... loved the pictures
Sleepy
2003 Lance 1161 Camione Chateau,/slideout/solar cells/propane generator/Sat dish/2 Fantastic Fans model 6150/AC/winter package
AirFoil, Trimetric, LED lights
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