Monday, July 28, 2014

Sunday, July 27th


We got up EARLY – 6:00 a.m.  We packed everything, ate breakfast, and left for the ferry at Cedar Point.  We had to be there at 9:30 and we were a few minutes early.  The ferry ride was very SMOOTH and I actually got a short nap. 
 
It was a 26 mile trip and took 2 hours and 15 minutes.  We saw lots of deep sea fishing boats and the black fins of two sharks.  While we were at the welcome center we learned that we missed the island that has the wild ponies.  It was near Atlantic Beach area and is controlled by the National Park Service.  The ranger told us that the Park Service had a ferry to the island but they only took a very small number of people each day.  I was disappointed but not bad enough to take the ferry back, drive 50 mile to MAYBE get a ferry to that island, drive back to POSSIBLY catch another ferry back to Ocracoke.  I’ll just enjoy the story of the wild ponies.  Upon arrival at Ocracoke Island we stopped at the welcome center which is the site of the first weather station on the Outer Banks.  Afterwards we went to see the Ocracoke lighthouse and then drove the 12 miles to board the ferry to Cape Hatteras. 
Alone the way we stopped for a picnic lunch.  Again the sand dunes completely block the view of the ocean.  Certainly not like the Gulf but it is a lot like St. Augustine Beach.  We only waited about 30 minutes to board the ferry to Cape Hatteras and the ride was very smooth and a lot shorter.  I worked on the blog and James slept! 
Arriving at Cape Hatteras we went to see the lighthouse.  This is the most famous of all the lighthouses on the Outer Banks.  It is also a marvel to modern engineering.  A few years ago the lighthouse had to be moved due to shore erosion.  They were able to move this lighthouse totally intact in a matter of 23 days.  To look at the lighthouse and realize it is BRICK it is just unthinkable that they were able to do that. 
As we headed toward Nags Head we stopped again to view the Bodie Island lighthouse and finally arrived at our hotel about 6:30. 
Even though we are tired we went to eat SEAFOOD for the first time on this trip and then came back and did laundry.  Ready for bed!

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