Dottie, Spike and I went to Cape Hatteras June, 29/30, 2002.
The kids all had plans away from the house so we ran away from home. Just a little over night trip to the outer banks. |
|
We took the 1978 VW Bus "The Happy Pickle"
Our only real goal for the weekend was to test the van and digital camera.
|
The wonderful adventure begins.
The wonderful part was all the kids had plans that didn't include us and I had the weekend off. The adventure part started with a wrong turn and forty miles of beautiful North Carolina farmland later... |
|
|
|
We find the ferry dock.
Just as the one thirty ferry pulls away. The next one leaves at three o'clock and there might..might be room on it for us.
They do have a nice rest area, clean restrooms, grassy place with shade. They even have a gift shop to pick up little things. The mosquitos are only the size of robins.
|
We made the three o'clock ferry!
It was so crowded there was no chace to use the camera out side. This is the sound from inside the bus. Seems like at every stop some one comes up and asks about the van. They either had one or someone they knew did. This is cool. |
|
|
|
So much for Okracoke Island.
A fast run north put us on the Hatteras ferry. The last car allowed on. The adventure continues... |
How about dinner?
There is no fast food on the outer banks. We couldn't go in to a sit down dinner because we had Spike. A quick stop at a grocery store and on to a picnic area. As we pulled up a raccoon made a hasty escape. I took Spike out for a walk and we were swarmed by mosquitos. These things were the size of chickens and traveled in packs. For some reason they leave us to eat in peace as long as no one leaves the van. We are prisoners. |
|
|
|
We found it!
It is about a half mile from where we saw it last thirteen years ago. If you want to see what I mean click the picture. |
This is why we're here.
We wanted a picture of the van with the lighthouse. We just barely made it before dark. now off to the old light house site. |
|
|
|
This is during the move.
They have put in a ring of granite rocks where the lighthouse stood. They are inscribed with the names of all the lighthouse keepers and assistants. It was too dark for pictures but follow the link and see some shots of the light being moved. We walked along the beach and Spike chased crabs. It was very nice with the lighthouse in the distance still shining. I'm glad they did this. |
OK maybe this was silly.
We are on an island, no bridges, ferry shuts down at nine. It's a holiday weekend, we have no reservations and a dog. We make the run south from Hatteras to Ocracoke. No vacancy signs everywhere. Oh well, stop in the ferry parking lot, drop the bed and take a nap. I love having a van again. |
|
|
|
Up with the sun, What do you know, we are first in line.
Note to self: First is not always best. We are behind the wheel house. No breeze, stuck in the middle again. People are stopping by to see the van and Spike. They seem to bring out the best in everyone. |
Let's go Dad!
He has no clue. He's just happy to be going. He did real well everywhere. The bus did wonderful too. Never hesitated. Better than nineteen MPG. Ran at sixty MPH without complaint. You can't see them but the whole front of the van is covered with mosquitos. I had to clean the windshield before we could leave this morning. I need to fix the washer tank. Can't have a bugflector with no hood. |
|
|
|
MOSQUITOS ! ! !
Yeah, yeah, I know they're gulls. I swear the skeeters seem that big when they grab a pint. |
Be it ever so humble...
Showers, A/C, beds, phones... OK, three out of four ain't bad. |
|
