In Cape Hatteras National Seashore
After an hour drive we make it to Cedar Island just after sunrise. From there we take a 2.15 hrs ferry to Ocracoke island. Ocracoke is part of the Outer Banks, a 100 miles ribbon of sand islands off the coast of North Carolina. Most of Ocracoke, as well as Hatteras and the south of Bodie Island are part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a protected area.
On Ocracoke the little town is laid back and features a cute lighthouse built in 1823. We cover ourselves of sunscreen and insect repellent to do a short trail where a few frogs hop around us. There’s also “wild” ponies on the island, the herd is not really wild anymore because the National Park Services care for them.
We take another ferry ride, an hour off to Hatteras Island. The towns there are lined up of massive three-storey and colorful houses on stilts. The lighthouse looks like the one in St Augustine with a black and white candy stripe. Because the sandy shoreline is retreating the government spent 11 million dollars to move this historic lighthouse (1870) half a mile inland.
After a refreshing swim we take a walk in Pea Island Wildlife refuge. The weather turned and it’s now overcast, windy and cold. But the walk we do turns out great regardless of the conditions. The trail is beautiful and we see a deer, rabbit, muskrat and various birds. We’re lucky again to finish just before the rain.
