Jay has heard me complaining that I'm not getting my Ocracoke fix this year and he knows I'm missing it for sure. For three years during college, Jay's summer job was on the Outer Banks, where he worked with his great friend Steve, below at right, delivering summer supplies such as grills and bikes to the big beach house rentals. For those years, my summer itinerary always included a flight to Norfolk, where Jay picked me up for the jaunt to Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and beyond.
Twice we drove to Cape Hatteras and took the ferry to Ocracoke Island, supposedly a favorite hideout for the pirate Blackbeard and his crew. Ocracoke's inlet, Silver Lake Harbor, is said to be the spot where Blackbeard lost his head. According to local lore, after his head was chopped off, his body swam around his ship several times before sinking. We've enjoyed staying at the Harborside Motel on Silver Lake and also at a really cool, quaint and comfortable inland hotel called Blackbeard's Lodge.
Why, here is Jay with Blackbeard, himself, over in the lounge at Blackbeard's Lodge. (Pay no attention to that hook in place of Blackbeard's right hand.)
Now that Hurricane Hanna's nearby tonight, the people of Ocracoke are closing up and hunkering down to ride out the storm, something they've done countless times. I'm thinking about strolling beneath the leafy canopy of tree-lined Howard's Street, sipping my morning coffee; spending pleasant evenings at Howard's Pub with shrimp, beer and live music; and enjoying leisurely breakfasts at the Flying Melon Cafe. And I can't forget the Island Ragpicker, overflowing with wind chimes, glass, books, pottery, music and just about everything else imaginable ... our favorite island shop.
I'm a regular reader of
Ocracoke Island Journal and
Ocracoke Blog, which are both reporting on the situation. Tonight I'm thinking of Ocracoke and its people and cats. May you all stay safe, warm and dry this evening.