April 19 - 20, 2008 - Harkers Island, NC

Got up early this morning to drive to Cedar Island. We planned to take a ferry from there at 9:30 a.m. but when we arrived we found out that the departure time was 10:30 a.m. So we sat around in the visitor center until it was time for us to walk on board. We left the car in their parking lot and it only cost us a $1 a person to walk on. The ferry was good sized and we were able to get a booth to sit in with a table. We played cards and read for 2 ½ hours. The ferry docked at Ocracoke Village and we got off and started walking through town. It was about a mile walk to the Ocracoke Lighthouse. The houses are small and charming. There are lots of little shops for tourists too.


The lighthouse was built in 1823 and is the Nation’s second oldest light still in use. They used whale oil, porpoise oil and kerosene to keep the light lit. After taking pictures at the lighthouse we walked another mile down to the end of the island to have lunch at Howards Pub Restaurant and Bar. It was built in the early 90s and is a cute place. They have a huge screened patio (mainly for the smokers) and a large inside dining area. They are the only restaurant that stays open all year and the first to get a liquor license. I ordered the special, grilled tuna, and it covered the entire plate. So, needless to say, we got plenty of food. Now we had to walk back to the ferry dock which was another mile. Larry has been walking a lot and seems to be enjoying it too. We caught the 3:30 p.m. ferry back to Cedar Island and drove home. It was good to be back at home and hear the laughing gulls making lots of noise.

April 20 - Harkers Island, NC

We had planned to take the ferry over to Shackleford Island to see the wild horses and collect some sea shells. But, a storm came in and the lightning and pouring down rain made us change our mind. It was fun sitting in our RV and watching the bolts of lightning come down over the water. Once in a while the rain will stop and we get a little patch of sun. Then it starts all over again. It gave us a day to catch up on some of our chores too.