Day 4: December 18, 2018 A Ferry Tale Comment via blog

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I'm going to start today by tying up a couple of loose ends. First up is the Outer Banks Inn, my home for a few days.

Second is Outer Banks Brewing Station where I ate the other night without benefit of decent pictures. I wanted some daylight photos in order to show the windmill in back, which they say supplies 10% of their electricity, and the Tesla charging stations in front.

For some reason, the name Cape Hatteras and the word lighthouse are pretty much tied together in my head so the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was essentially a required stop. My feelings were mixed when I read the sign on the door. I've almost never decided not to climb a lighthouse but my old legs have not always been entirely pleased with the decision. With the lighthouse "closed to climbing for the season", I was spared the decision and the climb but deprived of whatever spectacular views were to be had at the top. The visitors center and grounds were open but not that cool looking door.

This Futuro house in Frisco triggers a turn-around-for-a-picture maneuver. Atlas Obscura has a (not exactly current) article on it here and there is some general information on Futuros here although the list of locations seems to be about an even mix of broken and working links.

Before yesterday I was only vaguely aware that ferries existed in these parts, but when two different people suggested that a ferry ride should be part of my visit to Hatteras, I was all in. I believe that when I got in line to board the free ferry to Ocracoke, I expected to be returning later in the day. That just wasn't right. By the end of the day, through the magic of the internet and time spent waiting for and riding on ferries, I learned that ferries and NC-12 are components of the Outer Banks Scenic Byway. I didn't make it all the way but now I know.

At some point I must have read something about the Ocracoke Ponies because when I saw a sign about a pony pasture it rang a bell. I'm sure there are a lot more of these creatures around and it is apparent that they spend time much closer to the viewing stand, but that's for tourist season. I'm just glad I got a peek.

There's not a lot going on in Ocracoke in December. The brewery is open Thursday through Sunday, another bar opens on Friday, and I did see one "Open at 3:00" sign on a restaurant. But I have absolutely no doubt that this is a really happening place when the fish and the tourists are biting.

I was officially no longer on the Outer Banks Scenic Byway when these pictures were taken. NC-12 and the byway continue by ferry to Cedar Island. I was told that the only ferry available was to Swan Quarter and I figured that was better than turning back despite this ferry costing $15 more than the free one. I've since seen a schedule with a Cedar Island ferry listed for 4:30. Whether that would not be happening or whether the attendant thought that might be too late for me (It was about 1:15.) I don't know. It was probably for the best since going to Cedar Island would have made for a much longer end of day drive.

Following the close to three hour ferry ride, it was about an hour and a half from Swan Quarter to Kill Devil Hills. The end of day drive was pleasant enough but not particularly exciting and naturally ended in the dark. I could have planned the day better but I had a good time and didn't get seasick once.

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