Guess what you’ll want to do first thing when you get off the ferry to Ocracoke?  (Hint:  see below).

Ahhh, Ocracoke sand...

Paul was extra excited about Ocracoke because he had found a place called Pam’s Pelican Bed & Breakfast.  Their tagline is “Peace, Love and Bacon Grease”, so Paul felt it absolutely necessary that we stay there.  I was a little wary, but the place was popular…

Casual and friendly...that about sums up Ocracoke

Pam made great big delicious breakfasts (with bacon on the side, every morning, naturally), and Mike is a musician and local DJ (bonus points).

What? No Redneck Radio Show in your town?

My only complaint was that smack dab in the middle of the living room was a genuine poker table, and nobody, but nobody would play with me : (

Anyone? Anyone?

I wasn’t that upset, as island living is really all about sun, surf and sand after all.  Still – would have been fun!

Meanwhile, back at the beach...

If you like to plop yourself on the beach with a good read, a cooler and an umbrella, then this is the place for you.  The water feels lovely and there are miles and miles of pristine beach with not nearly as many people as you would find on the east/west coasts.  And if you have kids…

How fun is this?

Separate pools form, depending on the tide.  So the kids can play in the water without giving the ‘rents agita.  Seriously, the Outer Banks come with some fierce rip currents – nothing to mess around with.

"Run for your lives! It's Blackbeard!"

Speaking of fierce…we couldn’t resist Teach’s Hole .  Fun if you are into pirate history.  Strange really, how popular pirates are, considering they were (and apparently still are in some parts of the world) a bunch of criminal a-holes.

I wanted to wait for these people to come out but Paul wouldn't let me

However, I am fairly certain these particular pirates are of the friendly sort…these are the kind of people that would be fun to interview for the blog, I bet.

Zillie's Island Pantry

Paul and I loved Zillie’s.  The wine and beer selection was impressive, and they had tons of yummy cheeses and gourmet snack items that you could purchase for a beach picnic or, in our case, consumption on the patio.  So, we made ourselves at home there one afternoon.  Fun.

Shelves and shelves of beer at Zillie's

While we sat on the patio enjoying our Chocolate Box Shiraz and various cheeses including an especially yummy Stilton,  a friendly woman said hello and the two of us started chatting away.  And that is how we met our new friends, A.B. and Diane.

Another fun day on the water thanks to A.B. and Diane!

Next thing you know, we have been invited to go fishing on their boat first thing the next morning.  And what a great day the four of us had.  Paul managed to catch a couple of bluefish…

Paul's first catch of the day : )

Then we had lunch and enjoyed another afternoon in and on the water…

Paul loves this boat like I love Airstreams

Pelicans

Until a waterspout formed off in the distance (hard to tell but you make the pic bigger by clicking on it) and the weather turned from balmy to stormy.

Spout forming (to the left of the lighthouse)

Back just in time!

The spout actually hit land (taking an umbrella & chairs at Smacnally’s with it), then bounced off the water (if you click the pic you can just make it out).   Even the locals were impressed.

Speaking of Smacnally’s – below is a typical scene at this great little outdoor bar.

Enjoying an afternoon with Willis Gupton at Smacnally's

By the way, if ever you find yourself listening to Willis Gupton, don’t let on that you don’t know who Alan Jackson is (Paul!).   And don’t think that just because this fine establishment serves only beer and wine, the place won’t get rowdy.  Cause it will.

We loved our time in Ocracoke.  I kept an eye out for the wild horses (you know, like the ones in Nights in Radanthe) but it seems that now they aren’t so wild, due to increased traffic and the like.  That was my only disappointment, really.  Oh, and there are no laundromats on the island, so don’t hop on the ferry without doing your laundry first (Valynne!).  Miss you already, OBX…