Our trip to Ocracoke started early. We're up before the sun, picking our way out
of N.W.Creek using our Q-beam. The day is calm, so we resign ourselves to motoring
the 50 or so miles to Ocracoke.
Our trip to Ocracoke started early. We're up before the sun, picking our way out
of N.W.Creek using our Q-beam. The day is calm, so we resign ourselves to motoring
the 50 or so miles to Ocracoke.
At about 9am, we rendezvous with Gitanes near Oriental, and head out of the Neuse together. Unfortunately, it remains windless and, after trying to get wind to fill our limp sails, we decide to power up the engine.
We watch in amazement as Larry and Trexel seemingly reel in fish after fish. We pull up closer to learn their secret and they pass us their extra tackle (Clarkspoon and planer) set. So we, too, help to catch dinner (Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel) on the way out to Ocracoke. Larry and Trexel prepare the fish, and we eat on the docks. We turn in after dinner; Luke gleefully decides to sleep on the pilot berth.
We sightsee in different ways on Saturday. Our family heads to shore early in the morning, where we
walk around, rent bicycles and generally have a good time.
After staying at the docks Friday night, Gitanes' crew decides to anchor out tonight. After a day of kayaking about Ocracoke, they borrow our dinghy to return the kayaks and get freshened-up for dinner. That's Larry and Trexel tearing around the harbor in Canto's little red dinghy ("Can-too").
Saturday evening has us seated at one of the local restaurants with a group of good friends, enjoying a wonderful meal and a beautiful sunset.
Alas, the trip must end. So, Sunday, despite widely-scattered thundershowers, we head home.
We have much better wind going back; unfortunately, it's all against Gitanes and Canto,
heading back to Oriental. So, we beat our way into it and arrive in Oriental tired.