From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com
Tim and Linda Bunyan
As we leave behind the mainland coast in Virginia we pass one entrance to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway not to go unnoticed by us prior boaters!
We arrive North Carolina's Outer Banks.
Heading East, we have planned and made reservations in three campgrounds in the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Oregon Inlet, Frisco Campground, and Ocracoke Campground.
Through the villages of South Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head we make our way to our first campground: Oregon Inlet. This is the Inlet into the Croatan Sound where the English colonists first settled: the island of Roanoke.
The bright, sunny playground of more Atlantic Seacoast is evident as we arrive the Seashore where thousands have come for Summer vacations.
We see many delightful ways to spend the days on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
The soil is sandy, there are few shade trees, and mosquitoes can be a problem if not for the breeze. It is hot and humid, thankfully we do have some wind!
The first few days at the Oregon Inlet we experienced rain, thunder, and lightening that even had Woodstock the kitty up during the night. It rains very hard, for a short amount of time.
It was delightful to find our neighbors are a Boy Scout campsite at the Oregon Inlet Campground.
The ground dries quickly and then it rains again. On the open horizon of the Outer Banks the thunder and lightning seems to be all encompassing and surrounds us in our rv which we find refuge.
The weather has not detoured our venture out to visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The museum and 'tent-talk' by the Park Ranger tell the story of the Wilbur and Orville opened a bicycle shop in 1892.
Although prosperous, The Wright Brothers were restless as the death of Otto Lilienthal, German glider experimenter; and the successful unmanned powered model flights of Samuel Langley.
We toured the vast air field where the First Flight granite boulders mark the spot the first heavier than air machine left the ground on December 17, 1903.
Tim getting our National Park Passport stamped.
In 1899 they developed their own theories. In 1903 Orville flew, lasting only 12 seconds.
But for the first time, a manned, heavier-than-air machine left the ground by its own power, moved forward under control without losing speed, and landed on a point as high as that from which it started.
It all began with inspiration. This is a picture of a toy powered by a rubber band their father, Milton, gave them in 1878.
NEXT DAY:
We drove out to Roanoke Island to the museum of America's first English colony. All that remains of any sort of settlement is the berm used at the Fort site. After years of failed attempts for English ships to return to replenish Roanoke settlers, finally when Mr. Dare did return nothing remained.
Franklin D. Roosevelt visited this area in 1937. He also witnessed the 23rd performance of "The Lost Colony"; we witnessed the 81st performance 2018.
The performance "The Lost Colony" tells the story of the first settlers on Roanoke Island.
This wonderful outdoor Waterside Theatre seating with stage. In the background is the Atlantic Ocean as the theatre is built on the Roanoke Island shoreline in the woods.
The outdoor Sound and Light Control Room
The light and sound tower for the outdoor theatre
We went to the outdoor Waterside Theatre which is a magical evening presented on stage with dancers and singers recreating the actual events of the early settlers. This is the 81st season of The Lost Colony produced by the Roanoke Island Historical Association.
NEXT DAY:
We climbed the Bodie Island 1872 Lighthouse. It is equal to climbing an 8-story building. We walked onto the trail built over the marsh. We saw schools of fish and a bald eagle.
We walked on the boarded trail to the marsh lands near the lighthouse.
You can see a Bald Eagle on the tiny island, center,
in the marshland....the dark spot!
The marshland offers up some green and young, natural habitat for turtles, birds, and fish, and bald eagles!
We move on South in the Outer Banks to Hatteras Island.
This Life-Saving Station began in the Outer Banks even before the U.S. Coast Guard was formed. Many ships wrecked in the shallow shores and the Life-Saving crew would go out in boats to save people and administer first aid to those that washed ashore.
Weather Bureau Station:
Hatteras Village is home to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, a maritime museum of shipwreck history. The warm Gulf Stream current collides with the colder Labrador Current creating conditions for powerful ocean storms and sea swells. The large number of ships that ran aground gave the area the nickname "Graveyard of the Atlantic".
We noticed the Off Road Vehicle access.........to the ocean beach. Something for everyone here.
The Atlantic Ocean just on the other side of the 4-wheel drive road. A $50.00 Permit.
Congress authorized the construction of the Cape Hatteras Light. In 1870 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was built 198.5' tall, it is the world's tallest brick lighthouse.
The base entrance.
VIEW from the top of the tallest brick lighthouse in the U.S. of the Atlantic at Cape Hatteras. The areas of the "Graveyard of the Atlantic".
In the village of Salvo, we found the 2nd smallest Post Office in the U.S.
We have virtual mail from Dakota Post. When a good amount accumulates we ask for General Delivery to a local post office where we camp. This day we picked up our mail from the Kitty Hawk Post Office.
Preparing for our stay at the National Seashore at Cape Hatteras. Tim is getting gas. We anticipate running our generator for air conditioning.
Marsh in Buxton Woods Nature Trail that winds through maritime woods with access areas to Pamlico Sound. Museum of the Sea: Model of conventional ships used in 1800's....as the Coast Guard and U.S. Navy was constructing Frigates.
Went to a local place for lunch: blackened tuna (steak) sandwich was excellent !
The view to the Atlantic at the back door of the QuarterDeck Restaurant.
Local joint......cute bar, no nonsense interior, great tuna steak sandwich and a backyard on the Atlantic!
Nice weather Day, only 85 degrees. Strolled around 'the hood'.
Delightful, happy shopping areas.
Even Mazatlan's Pacifico is here on the Outer Banks!
Homes have their boats all ready for launching from their back yard!
Lunch and Bike Ride station.
NEXT DAY
AM Morning. Set the alarm (first time in Retirement!) for a 5:30 get-up to catch the Ocracoke Ferry from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island.
Here is CasaRoll, the Truck, Woodstock the kitty is inside the trailer, and Tim. We boarded the Ferry around 10:00 AM. Front row area for the hour ride! The shoals are shallow, so must go out into Pamlico Sound for deep water.
The Ferry Terminal and boat dock.
This is our Garmin GPS system, right on track. It indicates: On the ferry on the Sound.
Linda up to the viewing tower on the Ferry. The largest Sound on the East Coast. Pamlico Sound is one of the biggest attractions on the Outer Banks, second only to the miles of shoreline and cool blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The Sound was a comfortable, profitable place of the past for: Blackbeard!
We enter the Ferry Dock, this Roanoke ship is ready to venture out thru the Sound (pass by kiteboarders and windsurfing) then into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ferry Dock works are competent and self-assured after many years on the job.
We disembark and drive to our Campground. All is well. Woodstock, the kitty has now added a Ferry ride to his transportation visa!
"Looking Out Our Back Door"
We are nestled next to the dunes. A walk away from the Atlantic.
The sand is luxurious!
The seascape is beautifully expansive.
Happy Sandpipers and Plovers share the beach for dinner.
Fishing and Driving share this beach area.
DUNE FLOWERS: Firewheel (Gaillardia puichella), well adapted to harsh conditions.
This quaint tiny village sign indicates: NO Tours Today; Truck Being Serviced!
We visited Ocracoke Preservation Museum and Park Service 'Porch Talks". We learned of turtles that come to the shore. 100 eggs at a time buried in the sand. After 60-80 days, the babies will scratch their way through the shell and make their way to the ocean by way of the light reflection upon the ocean. This museum is furnished with pieces from the 1930's and 1940s.
World's only Mounted Boy Scout Troop. They ride the feral Banker horses of North Carolina's Outer Banks. These horses were descended from horses that had either survived shipwrecks or early explorations from 1500s - 1700s.
The Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association remains to chronicle the importance of keeping the local commercial fishing industry alive. Most of the fishers on the island grew up here and fished with their dads, uncles, and grandfathers. This Will Willis Store & Fish House dates back to the 1930s and sits at the edge of Silver Lake Harbor.
4X4 and Golf Carts available to Rent.
TIME TO HEAD TO THE MAINLAND: Moorehead City, North Carolina for an overnight at the Elks Lodge. Then to mainland: Wilmington, North Carolina.
We arrive North Carolina's Outer Banks.
Heading East, we have planned and made reservations in three campgrounds in the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Oregon Inlet, Frisco Campground, and Ocracoke Campground.
Through the villages of South Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head we make our way to our first campground: Oregon Inlet. This is the Inlet into the Croatan Sound where the English colonists first settled: the island of Roanoke.
The bright, sunny playground of more Atlantic Seacoast is evident as we arrive the Seashore where thousands have come for Summer vacations.
We see many delightful ways to spend the days on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
The soil is sandy, there are few shade trees, and mosquitoes can be a problem if not for the breeze. It is hot and humid, thankfully we do have some wind!
The first few days at the Oregon Inlet we experienced rain, thunder, and lightening that even had Woodstock the kitty up during the night. It rains very hard, for a short amount of time.
The ground dries quickly and then it rains again. On the open horizon of the Outer Banks the thunder and lightning seems to be all encompassing and surrounds us in our rv which we find refuge.
Oregon Inlet Campground on Bodie Island
"Looking Out Our Back Door"
"Our Staff" mowing the lawn at our campsite.
"Our Staff" mowing the lawn at our campsite.
Although prosperous, The Wright Brothers were restless as the death of Otto Lilienthal, German glider experimenter; and the successful unmanned powered model flights of Samuel Langley. 
The Wright Brothers Monument is 60' tall atop Kill Devil Hill. This is the sand dune that marks the site of the hundreds of glider flights that preceded the first powered flight.
But for the first time, a manned, heavier-than-air machine left the ground by its own power, moved forward under control without losing speed, and landed on a point as high as that from which it started.
NEXT DAY:
We drove out to Roanoke Island to the museum of America's first English colony. All that remains of any sort of settlement is the berm used at the Fort site. After years of failed attempts for English ships to return to replenish Roanoke settlers, finally when Mr. Dare did return nothing remained.
Franklin D. Roosevelt visited this area in 1937. He also witnessed the 23rd performance of "The Lost Colony"; we witnessed the 81st performance 2018.
This wonderful outdoor Waterside Theatre seating with stage. In the background is the Atlantic Ocean as the theatre is built on the Roanoke Island shoreline in the woods.
The outdoor Sound and Light Control Room
The light and sound tower for the outdoor theatre
We went to the outdoor Waterside Theatre which is a magical evening presented on stage with dancers and singers recreating the actual events of the early settlers. This is the 81st season of The Lost Colony produced by the Roanoke Island Historical Association.
NEXT DAY:
We climbed the Bodie Island 1872 Lighthouse. It is equal to climbing an 8-story building. We walked onto the trail built over the marsh. We saw schools of fish and a bald eagle.
We walked on the boarded trail to the marsh lands near the lighthouse.
You can see a Bald Eagle on the tiny island, center,
The marshland offers up some green and young, natural habitat for turtles, birds, and fish, and bald eagles!
We move on South in the Outer Banks to Hatteras Island.
Frisco Campground on Hatteras Barrier Island
"Looking Out Our Back Door"
We've a peek view of the Atlantic from our campsite. Breeze is good, helps keep the sweat and bugs off. This is the first Campground where we are without electrical hookup. Time to get the generators reved up!
This Frisco area is dedicated to wildlife; in contrast to the Oregon Outlet area of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Still ocean space for Surfers, Jetskis, and Kite Lessons!
Weather Bureau Station:
We noticed the Off Road Vehicle access.........to the ocean beach. Something for everyone here.
The Atlantic Ocean just on the other side of the 4-wheel drive road. A $50.00 Permit.
Congress authorized the construction of the Cape Hatteras Light. In 1870 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was built 198.5' tall, it is the world's tallest brick lighthouse.
The base entrance.
VIEW from the top of the tallest brick lighthouse in the U.S. of the Atlantic at Cape Hatteras. The areas of the "Graveyard of the Atlantic".
In the village of Salvo, we found the 2nd smallest Post Office in the U.S.
We have virtual mail from Dakota Post. When a good amount accumulates we ask for General Delivery to a local post office where we camp. This day we picked up our mail from the Kitty Hawk Post Office.
Preparing for our stay at the National Seashore at Cape Hatteras. Tim is getting gas. We anticipate running our generator for air conditioning. Marsh in Buxton Woods Nature Trail that winds through maritime woods with access areas to Pamlico Sound. Museum of the Sea: Model of conventional ships used in 1800's....as the Coast Guard and U.S. Navy was constructing Frigates.
Went to a local place for lunch: blackened tuna (steak) sandwich was excellent !
Nice weather Day, only 85 degrees. Strolled around 'the hood'.
Delightful, happy shopping areas.
Even Mazatlan's Pacifico is here on the Outer Banks!
Homes have their boats all ready for launching from their back yard!
Lunch and Bike Ride station.
NEXT DAY
AM Morning. Set the alarm (first time in Retirement!) for a 5:30 get-up to catch the Ocracoke Ferry from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island.
Here is CasaRoll, the Truck, Woodstock the kitty is inside the trailer, and Tim. We boarded the Ferry around 10:00 AM. Front row area for the hour ride! The shoals are shallow, so must go out into Pamlico Sound for deep water.
The Ferry Terminal and boat dock.
This is our Garmin GPS system, right on track. It indicates: On the ferry on the Sound.
Linda up to the viewing tower on the Ferry. The largest Sound on the East Coast. Pamlico Sound is one of the biggest attractions on the Outer Banks, second only to the miles of shoreline and cool blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The Sound was a comfortable, profitable place of the past for: Blackbeard!
We enter the Ferry Dock, this Roanoke ship is ready to venture out thru the Sound (pass by kiteboarders and windsurfing) then into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ferry Dock works are competent and self-assured after many years on the job.
We disembark and drive to our Campground. All is well. Woodstock, the kitty has now added a Ferry ride to his transportation visa!
FINAL National Park for us on the Outer Banks
Ocracoke Campground is on Ocracoke Island 
"Looking Out Our Back Door"
We are nestled next to the dunes. A walk away from the Atlantic.
DUNE FLOWERS: Firewheel (Gaillardia puichella), well adapted to harsh conditions.
This quaint tiny village sign indicates: NO Tours Today; Truck Being Serviced!
Families continue to live here on the Outer Banks. Generations from early 1800's are included on the 1-mile loop Walking Tour of Ocracoke village.
This foursquare home with a steep hipped roof was built for
The David Williams House. Captain Williams was the first Chief of the U.S. Life Saving Station. It now serves at The Ocracoke Museum and Visitors Center.
We visited Ocracoke Preservation Museum and Park Service 'Porch Talks". We learned of turtles that come to the shore. 100 eggs at a time buried in the sand. After 60-80 days, the babies will scratch their way through the shell and make their way to the ocean by way of the light reflection upon the ocean. This museum is furnished with pieces from the 1930's and 1940s.
World's only Mounted Boy Scout Troop. They ride the feral Banker horses of North Carolina's Outer Banks. These horses were descended from horses that had either survived shipwrecks or early explorations from 1500s - 1700s.
The Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association remains to chronicle the importance of keeping the local commercial fishing industry alive. Most of the fishers on the island grew up here and fished with their dads, uncles, and grandfathers. This Will Willis Store & Fish House dates back to the 1930s and sits at the edge of Silver Lake Harbor.
4X4 and Golf Carts available to Rent.
Golf Carts are everywhere on the village streets.
We had lunch at Eduardo's. "Best" Mexican food served from this roadside food truck 'taco stand' with a few picnic tables nearby.
Small Silver Harbor with American charm and character. Nearly every building is available to visitors for rent.....and they are filled.
The rental at the edge of Silver Lake Harbor is available.
Some have their own private dock to the Silver Lake Harbor.
Some have their own private dock to the Silver Lake Harbor.
Ocracoke Lighthouse, built in 1823, is North Carolina's oldest operating lighthouse. It is a 54' wooden tower built in 1798. It emits a constant fixed beam that shines 14 miles out to sea.
Ocracoke beach is #2 in America, chosen by 10-years of research of Dr. Stephen Leatherman, director of the Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research. (Number 1 is Hapalua Bay Beach on Maui.)
TIME TO HEAD TO THE MAINLAND: Moorehead City, North Carolina for an overnight at the Elks Lodge. Then to mainland: Wilmington, North Carolina.
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