Outer Banks N.C. today...

[jakfrost]

Just arrived after 3 easy days ride, at the Hampton Inn in 'Corolla N.C.", which is situated at the northern end of the Outer Banks. Talk about yur hot riding weather, yesterday around Washington and Fredericksburg Va., where I stayed last nite, it hit 94F. around 3:30pm. Yikes! And its still April! Sure don't want to be here in July .

 

Took this afternoon to climb the Currituck Lighthouse, all 214 steps. Great day for the view, no haze at all.

 

Traffic was light except for about a thousand harley and metric cruisers...apparently there WAS a big rally on the weekend, everyone was going the opposite direction to me

 

I have all day tomorrow to 'see' the Outer Banks...leaving Tuesday for home, just wondering if anyone has a suggestion for a 'must see' while I'm here. I kinda plan on cruising south and see how far I get by mid-day, then doing a 180 and heading back to the hotel in Corolla.

 

Jim

[ltljohn]

The Wright brothers museum at Kill Devil Hills and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

[jakfrost]

Thanks for the input...do they allow tourists to climb the Hatteras Lighthouse?

 

Jim

[ltljohn]

According to their website they are open for climbing 9A.M. to 4:30 P.M. from the third Saturday in April to Columbus Day.

 

Here is the link to the Wright Brothers Museum

 

[jakfrost]

Thanks, guess as a 35yr career pilot I owe it to myself, ( or the W. bros...) to pay the Museum a visit :-)

 

Jim

[lawnchairboy]

the hogs were all in cherokee, maggie valley area, where we were.

 

I'm deaf, but some of the paint jobs were spectacular.

 

chris

[Rocer]

Hi Jakfrost - sounds like a great tour in progress. Eastern ON? I grew up in Cardinal. Can you tell me how you're checking in on the ST board while touring and any chance of some pics. of your tour?

 

thanks

Paul D.

[Rogue_Trader]

Having been there many times, I'd recommend going 60 mi south of Nags Head to Hatteras Village. From there, take the free NC ferry over to Ocracoke Island. Visit the harbor and the back street coffee/book shop. Worth the drive!

[jakfrost]

Yea, I'm trying to figure out how I can 'do it all' in a day...I think my first priority is the Wright Museum and not sure how long it will take to get to the ferry, cross, ( 40 min ? ), then get back to Corolla in time for supper...sorta.

 

Been taking pictures every day of course and loading them into the computer, Acer Aspire One netbook, but no idea how to post them to the board...tried before but never quite got it figured out.

 

Jim

 

Oh, and I'm staying at Hampton Suites, ( points from work...), they all have free wi-fi in the rooms.

[Nice n Easy Rider]

Having been there many times, I'd recommend going 60 mi south of Nags Head to Hatteras Village. From there, take the free NC ferry over to Ocracoke Island. Visit the harbor and the back street coffee/book shop. Worth the drive!

 

+1 on Ocracoke. If you can spare a couple of hours take a lunch and go sit on the beach at the National Seashore a little north of Hatteras. A real treasure. The last time I was there a buddy and I were treated to a 45 min show of a school of dolphins going up and down the beach, about 100 yards offshore, doing synchronized jumps. It was awesome.

[jakfrost]

Well made it to the end and back, Ocracoke that is...had lunch there and walked the beach for a bit but no luck with 'sea world', you got lucky George!

 

Stopped on the way home to visit the Wright Bros Museum and it was worth the stop, even if I did only have an hour...hard to believe now we just program in the takeoff requirements, oceanic waypoints, move the 'go fast levers' to the detent, pull back, engage the auto pilot and 5-6 hrs later we have Heathrow in our windshield.

Really gives you a sense of how our technology has evolved, and continues at a seeminly expotential rate!

 

Quite a day in the OBX!!

 

Jim

[edbremer]

OBX! headed there in a couple of weeks but staying in Rodanthe. I am looking forward to just riding around a little and enjoying the sunshine. Been there a few time before and really enjoy it.

[jakfrost]

Well the sunshine was nice but I could have done without the heat wave! OMG is it hot!! Like 92 in the shade and 75 at night!

 

At least there was some breeze off the water and the ferry southbound at 1100 was nice and cool. Coming back at 1400 not so much...and walking around the Kill Devil Hills monument to the Wright Bros was killer.

 

Since I'm riding into rain and coooooler temps ( like 48-58 ) on the way home Weds and Thurs I have to bring warm dry gear...no room for the 'mid-summer' gear as well.

 

All in all it has been an amazing trip. Just finished booking my ferry crossing from Lewes to Cape May tomorrow at 1615, then on up to the Hampton Inn at Cherry Hill/Voorhees. Guess it'll be a late dinner!

 

Jim

[Rogue_Trader]

The ferry crossing itself is 40 min one way. The issue is traffic, during the "in" season, anyway. Unless you get there super early (0700), be prepared for a wait to get on board the next ferry with open slots. This could be better now, during the "off" season, have not tried that for a while. If you are on a timeline, not advisable.

[Matts_12GS]

Man! I used to love going down to Hatteras, cruising the Brew Thru, the beaches, good fishing...

 

Sigh...

[coach03860]

My folks retired to Hatteras Island so we get down there a few times each year. If you have a reasonable sized bike (ie: my R1200GS) the Hatteras/Ocracoke ferry crew will usually squeeze you on board so you don't have to wait in line. I usually load alone, and have my wife walk on since the ferry is free anyway so no worries about $$$. And when you get to Ocracoke village, be sure to have lunch at "Howards"