Oriental NC to Ocracoke NC

Today was our first open water big crossing in a while.  We left Oriental at 7am and slow rolled it across the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound to the outer banks of North Carolina.
   
I've never been to the outer banks before.  The sound (ocean) was nearly flat and perfect this morning for a five hour cruise.  



Today was also 'eclipse' day.   We didn't have lenses but we did feel it get colder and darker while it was going on.  It was only 78 percent eclipse here because we are as far east as we can get in the US at this latitude.  

There is skinny water here.   The deepest depth I saw on the 45 mile crossing (much of which you cannot see shore) was 22ft.   

Much of the crossing was 15ft or less and some all of the way down to 5ft...  One must stay in the channel and follow the chart software here..

Eventually we arrived at Ocracoke Island.

We made our way to the national park service dock that has power and a kiosk with barcode to pay for our space....    This isn't busy season.  Things just opened back up from the winter.  

We rented a golf cart and decided to tour the populated areas of the island.  Golf carts aren't allowed in the National Lakeshore area or the state highway.  

We first visited the lighthouse.  The oldest in N Carolina and 2nd oldest in the US.  

Next we did a nature walk where Blackbeard had one of the biggest North American pirate meetups.   Beautiful now but empty.  

Blackbeard (the pirate) died out there...  This was one of his favorite holes to hide and scheme and party.  

Walking the beach there were lots of jellyfish left by the waves and tide.   I've never seen any as beautiful as this though....

They look like flowers ...

There was also civil war battles here.  This is one of the first forts built by the Confederacy. Destroyed, of course....

There's also a British cemetery here memorializing crew members lost here. 

These British soldiers actually died during World War 2 and were killed by a German sub.  

Dinner at Dajio, a fine dining establishment here on the island that is cheaper before 5pm.  One of the best burgers I've ever had...  I don't usually rave on a burger but this one.. wow. 

All tables full at 5:30pm the first week of the 'season'.  Not too shabby.  (And no, I didn't catch the whole room)

And the dessert.   Well, I'm a sucker for each and every component of this creative endeavor...

Banana bread, caramelized pecans, vanilla bean, Carmel goodness....  So good I had to fight my wife for it... 

45 miles of perfection today on the water.  I wish every boating day was like today.  Almost zero wind....

Another day that didn't suck at all.....  If only all days cruising went like today....

Another cold but beautiful sunset....





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