South Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina 11/18/2013

NOVEMBER 18, 2013 (Monday)

Happy birthday to Thad and Billy!

Stormed all night. At times the lightning was so bright it lit up our bedroom. I hate that stuff. Anyway, woke up to a nice day.

On Saturday morning Michael received a call about coming in to talk to the sales people here. They said we’d get a $50.00 restaurant certificate and an extra vacation certificate from RCI. Our appointment was for 9:30 AM, this morning. The talk was all about RCI premium points. Vicky (our sales person) was very low pressure and pretty informative. We’re going to look further into this option as we had never heard of it before. Didn’t know RCI had it’s own thing, thought you had to have a timeshare and do their points or weeks.

After the presentation we went back to our “home” and I did some laundry. We lazed around for a little bit and then decided it was just too nice not to do anything. We all piled into the Prius and headed for Cape Hatteras. We got as far as Salvo and decided it was enough. We drove about 60 miles before we turned around. It was mostly sand dunes on both sides, with an occasional abandoned vacation home area. I really thought there would be lighthouses and other things. Nothing that we saw or wanted to see. I was outvoted for this adventure to Cape Hatteras.

There was an outflow from the top of the bridge that the waves were crashing against.

The right lane was closed at the top of the bridge.

Wind, sand, and a determination to keep the road free of sand.

We reserve judgement on the wisdom of habitation on the barrier islands. It looks like 90 per cent of the homes are for rent or vacant for one reason or another. They all look so huge to be second homes. All is all an interesting place. — We reserve judgement on the wisdom of habitation on the barrier islands. It looks like 90 per cent of the homes are for rent or vacant for one reason or another. They all look so huge to be second homes. All in all an interesting place.

Seems like the majority are three stories high. Most bottoms are made to allow water to flow through during bad weather periods.

Strange to us to see vehicular beach access with road rules and speed limits.

Not sure what is going on with this bird hater. We love the Audubon Society.

We are headed north. Ocean and dominate wind on right. Inland waterway on left.

Once we had turned around, we did go to the one lighthouse that we saw (Bodie Island Light Station). It was about a mile off the road and was black and white. It was quite lovely but you couldn’t walk up to the top like the one yesterday.

Closed to climbing Edie was so disappointed. — Closed to climbing. Edie was so disappointed.

Nice, but we really wanted to climb to the top.

We decided to use our $50.00 certificate today. The restaurant is called Black Pelican. It was the place, back in the day, from which the Wright brothers telegraphed the world that flight had been achieved. Kinda fun. It smelled really good and we had been told by Vicky this morning that they are most famous for their grits and shrimp. That just sounded too fun so I ordered that (but not too much Tabasco). Michael ordered a French dip, and Lexi ordered fried shrimp. We also had an appetizer of steamed shrimp. We were told the desserts were made in house so, of course, we had to order that too. Michael and I had an apple crisp wonderful thing with ice cream, and Lexi had a brownie with ice cream. Lots and lots of food. It was our linner (lunch/dinner). We came in under the $50.00 and just paid the tip with cash. Everything was quite delicious.

Before it was a restaurant it was a life saving station. In 1903 after the first flight, the Wright brothers telegraphed from here the news of the first flight. The restaurant has images of the brothers in many places. At the time of ordering I did not see these, only when reviewing the days pictures did I see the ghostly images among the entrees.

Steamed shrimp with butter, lemon and a cocktail/horseradish sauce. All very delicious.

Edie's shrimp and grits. She liked it though it was a little spicy for her. — Edie’s shrimp and grits. She liked it though it was a little spicy for her.

Lex's shrimp and chips. — Lex’s shrimp and chips.

Lex's chocolate brownie sundae. — Lex’s chocolate brownie sundae.

Edie and I split an apple cake, pecan, caramel, ice cream bowl of sin.

We are now wallowing, full, and tired. Gonna watch “The Voice” tonight and wait to see what sale is coming up on RCI at midnight. That was our day. Hope yours was great!