My New Favorite Place

Oh, I've got lots of favorite places now... but let's add a few more to the list.


When we left Kitty Hawk, we sailed to Manteo. Probably the nicest city dock we've stayed at. Free for 24 hours, right in the middle of a small downtown area, with a playground, no less!

A very boat-oriented town. Lots of boats and boat people. And friendly dogs.


A couple of highlights here... the best was a young lady named Snow who makes hammocks. We bought some new boat furniture from her... we now have hammock seats that hang and swing and are oh! so comfortable. And not only did she sell us some seats, she also snuck us into her mom's consignment shop after hours, and Lisa and I had great fun going through some pretty cool art work and jewelry stuff. Ideas! Inspiration! Trinkets!

We only stayed one day, because the wind was right to keep moving...



So on to Ocracoke.

Now, I LOVE Ocracoke. It's an island- only accessible by ferry (or boat). This is where Blackbeard, the pirate used to hang out. Really! People do live there year-round, but it's really a summer time destination for most people. Lots of rental beach houses, and a few hotels. Tiny. Remote. Artsy. Friendly. Yes, a little touristy, but not so much. Wild horses used to freely roam the streets (I would've loved to see this!)- but now they're corralled in a corner of the island. Old homes are turned into little shops- like coffee shops and surf shops and craft shops (and a thrift shop!). Homemade signs abound. More bikes than cars. Kind of reminiscent of Coconut Grove, back in the day. But less commercial.

"Season" is really pretty much over, so the beach was deserted



(until a fishing club arrived and got serious about their rods and reels).


We had great fun riding our bikes all over the place with our friends...

The ladies hit the thrift shop (twice!)


The guys found a hammock and some lawn chairs outside the Hemp Clothing Store (almost every business had an yard with chairs in it) and were content for a little while.

We spent two wonderful days in Ocracoke.
But again, (alas!), the wind was right and we had to keep moving...



Now we've followed AJ and Lisa all the way to New Bern (Birthplace of Pepsi), where they will be spending a few weeks visiting family and "taking care of business". They're tied up to a dock; putting down roots. Guess they think they'll finally get rid of us!


Not willing to leave them alone quite yet, though, we tagged along on their Sunday afternoon.
We got to meet AJ's dad and sister, and enjoyed a chamber music concert at the library (their nephew was one of the violinists).

We had a nice walk around town before saying our "See you later"s.

And, as the wind will be right to keep moving, we'll press on in the a.m.

Next stop (probably) Beaufort, NC.


See you later, Tinker! (And her people.) We'll miss you!