Ocracoke and Igor

Sept. 28, 2010   Departing Maryland, we

headed for the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Hurricane Igor, a category 4 storm, was passing over Bermuda as we headed south.  Luckily this strong storm never came near the shore in North Carolina, even though it created high winds and rough seas along the coast. 

In spite of the storm, we were able to take the RV on the ferry to Ocracoke Island, which is located in the southern portion of the Outer Banks.  This island is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, except for the small village near the ferry.  Staying at the Park campground, we lucked into a site next to the ocean, even though sand dunes blocked our waterfront view. Waters were churned up from Igor, and despite Alan's best efforts, the fish along the shore are safe to swim another day.  We can't pass along this area without partaking in some blue crabs—so we whipped up some sauteed soft shell crabs and fresh NC peach shortcake--seriously good food.

Biking into town the next day, a paved trail along the road kept us out of traffic.  We had a pleasant ride around town and then back to the campground, but about a quarter mile from the campsite, I got a flat tire,  Unfortunately, the mosquitoes in the surrounding vegetation came out in swarms as soon as the bikes came to a stop---the last few hundred feet back to the RV was like a scene from the old Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Birds.  Escaped on the morning ferry to Cedar Island and left the mosquitoes behind.

The heat of the south and thoughts of our pillow top, king sized bed, have created a zeal for ending this journey, but we'll be on the road again soon.