Whoa, the Outer Banks is more than a day trip! After much discussion and waffling, we opted to go with a campground around the middle of the OBX, in a small town called Waves, at Camp Hatteras. RV'ers: ask them for the Internet Special to get 15% off. We paid for two nights but as the week has worn on we've added two more. This campground gives you a choice of the Atlantic side of the street or the Sound. We opted for the Sound side figuring we could always walk to the beach. Why? We're more sunset than sunrise kinds of people...
Each night has been ahhhh-inspiring:
Much to do at Camp Hatteras...mini golf:
Joan and I played our best ball against Mike for who makes cocktails. We lost the first 18 but pressed in an emergency nine and beat the bum, thanks to Joan carrying our team (and the 1 handicap he spotted us). Unfortunately that meant no one had to make cocktails! What to do???
We took a walk on the beach...
Then Joan, who has officially been bitten by the RV bug, took a stroll through the park to see what kinds of choices she has:
But she's not a surfer so this one may not work...
Not sure she can drive this, so I think she has decided on this one...
Good choice Joan!
As we count down days until I get to golf again, we spent our first day exploring the northern part of the Outer banks, which included Kitty Hawk and Nags Head. Being a flying buff (I did name my only child Amelia and my horse Wilbur) I had to see the place where Orville and Wilbur taught the world to fly.
We had fun playing on the replica of the hand made/sewn motorized aircraft:
The fellow below taking the picture was made famous because prior to the big first flight, he'd never taken a photograph before. His photo has been seen around the world...
Well, not THAT one. This one...
The bros. chose the Outer Banks for the constant winds (not fun in an RV), the open space, and the soft sand for landing their elaborate craft projects.
The white markers that Mike is flying toward show the length of each attempt. The final successful flight lasted 59 seconds and flew nearly 900 feet, a respectable par 4.
It was a kick to step back in time to see what these persistent bright young men went through to move us one step closer to traveling the world and lost luggage.
Then it was time to go in search of the freshest fish. The first fish market will go down as one of the worst experiences we've had in such a place. When the clerk refused to use the fresh grouper in the case for Mike's sandwich (they have the old bad stuff in the back for the sandwiches), we promptly left, but not without her being clear about Mike's displeasure.
As these things generally work out, the next stop offered up the best fresh salmon sandwich Mike has ever had. They happily cooked up whatever piece of fish Mike asked for and did so to perfection.
Good pluck with Daniel's Big Eye Seafood Market if you're looking for something to have cooked for you or to take home and cook for the family. Just try not to steal their roll of paper towels.
Yesterday we drove about an hour to the ferry that took all of us to Ocracoke...and I mean everyone. Joan and Mike rode up front while I hung out, literally, with the dogs.
On the ride I spotted a nice home for sale:
Problem is no golf course and those pesky hurricanes.
Mike found his dream vehicle:
Buddy, the owner of this truck is planning to spend his annual bonus to add this to the front end:
We had to go back to the small restaurant, S. McNally's, the only place that brings the fish directly off the fishing boats and into their kitchen. Mike and Joan had been here 6 years ago and had fresh GRILLED fish sandwiches. Apparently anything other than fried is the anomaly in these here parts. I liked the place because we could bring the kids.
Not as good as his salmon the day prior, we all enjoyed our grilled Drum fish. Things don't really start hopping here until the summer. It's still a little cool and many of the shops aren't yet open. We saw the oldest still working lighthouse; this 75 foot landmark was built in 1823:
We ate ice cream and bought fudge (Jody, I found out of this world Dreamsicle fudge!) and visited the British Cemetery which honors the men who gave their lives protecting the US shores in 1942:
We stumbled upon the spot where the pirate Blackbeard was killed:
On our drive back to camp I noticed that Orville and Wilbur weren't the only ones to choose the Outer Banks for the steady strong winds:
Next trip I'm going to learn how to Kite Surf!
Today I get to golf! We're playing at Nags Head Golf Links, a Scottish inspired lay out. I can't wait! We're supposed to head north tomorrow but we just learned our traveling Barefoot friends will be here on Sunday so we may hang out a little longer. The beautiful thing about our lifestyle is no real deadlines, only tee times!
Extra credit question: How is this pronounced:
Hint: although the locals tell us it's pronounced just like it's spelled, they speak funny.
What a lovely place to visit!! Hey, Peanuts mohawk looks a little long? Kinda reminds me of Rip Taylor's toupee! Don't tell him I said that!
Hugs to you guys!
Denise
Posted by: Denise | 04/30/2010 at 07:22 PM