Ocracoke

Along the shore:

Gorgeous, empty beaches. Best place to watch the sunrise in the summer is on the ocean side right at the Hatteras Ferry terminal. I wish more people reported in on where the best place to watch the sunrise is. Lots of awesome treasures on these shores. Warm, very swimmable water. Gentle and nice until the tide started coming in on Thursday...then MFD went from four pieces of fishing equipment at the water's edge down to two then to zero. The ocean is a cruel mistress. After much hand wringing and pacing through thunderous punishing surf, all four pieces were recovered. 

Flora & fauna:

Green, blue, and riotous flowers. Grateful for large shady trees on hot days. I always forget how wet the south is until I am under its blanket of humidity. 

Spotted:

Library parking, inviting porch at The Flying Melon, looks like America's open, feminist book spread at Books to Be Red, shark swing, markers next to the British Cemetery, July 4 leftovers at Books to Be Red, porch at Magic Bean, Ocracoke Lighthouse

Good food:

Fish tacos from Eduardo's Taco Stand

Fried green tomatoes with a shrimp topper at The Flying Melon Cafe

Sweating glasses of sweet tea everywhere, no regrets

Egg sandwich with prosciutto and manchego cheese on a buttermilk biscuit + apple pancake from Dajio

Solid grilled chicken sandwich at Jason's

Fresh shrimp + fries at the Jolly Roger

Fresh grouper with mango sauce + key lime pie at Back Porch

My kind of people: 

I met a few strong female proprietors and people on my wavelength. 

Animals:

Pelicans everywhere. I love those big gallumps. Ghost crabs skittering over the dunes at dawn. MFD rescuing a turtle on the main road. Ponies in pens. Duck family at our hotel. Lincoln the dog at Magic Bean. The Ocracoke Coffeehouse dog. 

Where we stayed: 

Ocracoke Harbor Inn - Great location, nice people, fine price, great view. We could also rent bikes right there, which is how we got around the village. 

How we got to and fro: 

Drove from home down through Hatteras and took the ferry over, then took the ferry from Ocracoke to Cedar Island and drove another hour and a half down to Emerald Isle, NC. To:

Fro: 

Videos:

Ferry Hatteras to Ocracoke 7/5

Ocracoke beach 7/6

Lightening over the harbor on 7/6

Ocracoke dirt road bike ride (wobbly, not for those with motion sickness)

Verdict:

We both loved this laid back, magic little unicorn of an island. People loaded up in the back of pick up trucks riding around; languid afternoons; the low hum of struggling air conditioners; the fresh seafood; the Strathmere on an island a few hours down the coast from the Jersey shore; the wild, salty, lawless feeling live and let live land. 

What do you do when it rains on vacation? Blog about the first part of your vacation.