ocracoke haunted tales + history

This story seems timely, in the wake of a spooky halloween season. Ocracoke is one of the oldest towns in North Carolina, and the long history of the village is filled with the stories of islanders who have passed on. Lee Zacharias, writing for Our State Magazine, takes us inside delightful tales of haunts and the odd… Continue reading ocracoke haunted tales + history

hatteras/ocracoke ferry: free no more?

Linked to the outside world solely through the state’s ferry system, the Hatteras/Ocracoke ferry has always been free. That special status may be coming to an end, as Connie Leinbach reporting for the Ocracoke Observer writes. “Ocracoke’s day of reckoning may be at hand as early as Wednesday when the Regional Planning Organization may vote… Continue reading hatteras/ocracoke ferry: free no more?

just another perfect storm

Photo courtesy Lori Douglas Photography

The Perfect Storm 2015 is winding down, at least that’s what the forecasters are telling us—that by Wednesday the seas will calm down, the rains will go away and the winds will drop off to a manageable 15-20 mph. It’s a storm we’ll probably remember. Sure, we dodged a hurricane, but this storm has lingered for days,… Continue reading just another perfect storm

high speed ferry is ocracoke’s future

It looks like there’s a high-speed ferry in Ocracoke’s future. Jeff Hampton writing for the Virginian-Pilot takes a look at how long lines, falling passenger use and a shoaling inlet have combined to move NCDOT to create a new passenger only route between Ocracoke and Hatteras Village. “Fifteen dollars will eventually buy you a round trip… Continue reading high speed ferry is ocracoke’s future

a good year for ocracoke sea turtles

It may be part of the life cycle of the species or various other reasons, but it’s been a great year for sea turtles on the OBX, with more active sea turtle nests on Ocracoke this year than there has been in quite some time. This article from Ruth Fordon writing for the Ocracoke Observer has some great information about… Continue reading a good year for ocracoke sea turtles

kitty hawk kites = let’s go fly a kite!

A toy store for all ages, any of the Kitty Hawk Kites stores on the Outer Banks are amazing places to visit. We found this piece by Kip Tabb on the Carolina Designs blog and thought it did a great job of capturing the feeling and history of the Outer Banks icon. “Forty years later and Kitty… Continue reading kitty hawk kites = let’s go fly a kite!

obx portsmouth island = desolate beauty

On a clear day you can see it from Ocracoke: Portsmouth Island. Just south of Ocracoke on the northernmost tip of Cape Lookout National Seashore, Portsmouth is a deserted strip of land accessible by boat only – desolate yet beautiful. Molly Harrison, writing for Our State Magazine does a lovely job of describing the island, bringing… Continue reading obx portsmouth island = desolate beauty

even on ocracoke, things can change

Mauro Ibarra, manager of the Ocracoke Variety Store. Photo Rich-Joseph Facun, The Virginian-Pilot

Ocracoke Island life can seem like you’ve taken a small step back in time. But change has come to the island, as the Hispanic folks who came to work have stayed and started their own Ocracoke families and businesses. Jeff Hampton, writing for The Virginian-Pilot introduces us to a few of the newer residents who are shifting… Continue reading even on ocracoke, things can change

ocracoke passenger ferry ok’d for spring test

In response to long lines and wait times at the ferry docks in the summer, the ferry division is going ahead with plans to test a passenger-only ferry run across Hatteras Inlet to Ocracoke. This great article by Peter Vankevich writing for the Ocracoke Observer, shares the details of the plan. “As part of the feasibility study to… Continue reading ocracoke passenger ferry ok’d for spring test

lighthouse keeper living by the sea

It’s brick walls unmistakable as it rises 162′ above the Outer Banks shoreline, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse has been a beacon of warning and safety since1873. As Susan Stafford Kelly describes it writing for Our State Magazine, it still takes a special person to be the lighthouse keeper. “For 10 years, Meghan Agresto has lived 40… Continue reading lighthouse keeper living by the sea