On The Road Again 2011

May 18, 2011
Ocracoke Island NC
Day #6

Today is our younger son's birthday. Happy Birthday Jonathan!

I'm afraid we're going to get spoiled by all the quiet campgrounds we've stayed in so far this trip. Last night was no different and we slept well.

This morning took the bikes out for a long ride up the island. Won't be able to measure it until I get WIFI again...lord, I miss my GOOGLE so much! But it was overcast and not too hot so we were able to ride for almost 90 minutes. We toured one side of the village, then rode the National Seashore bike path for several miles, back to the other side of the village, the Ocracoke Lighthouse and finally back to the campground for lunch. (edit: it was 10.5 miles!)

Suitable for framing!

We passed many walkers and bike riders on our ride. Most of the time we can tell who comes from small towns and larger cities. Some people won't even acknowledge a greeting. I must admit that it took a little getting used to people being so friendly when we moved to Charleston.

At the campground we are only a hundred feet or so from a landmark on the Island. It's the British Cemetery. The graves of 4 sailors from Great Britain are here on land that was declared British Soil. They drowned as part of a crew of 33 when their ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat. They were helping to protect the US coastline. Every year there is a ceremony by our Coast Guard at the grave sites There is also a British flag flying over the cemetery.

Next to it is an old family cemetery, most of the graves are from the early to mid 1800's. Today as we walked the dogs, Brandy REFUSED to walk near it. Twice I picked her up and put her back down, but she continued to pull hard in the opposite direction to get back to the RV. She was trembling...makes me wonder, did she see something over there that we can't? Insert Twilight Zone music ....

It was getting warm after lunch so we gathered our stuff and headed for the beach. The 'beach' is sixteen miles long and I had to laugh when Jim said, "Oh, there's an open spot." I asked him if he thought he was back in RI where some days there isn't room for a blanket. There were MILES of open spots here!