confessions

The secret's been out for a while: Fall is one of the nicest times to be on Ocracoke. The sunlight warms even the surliest of hearts, the water is warm and clear, and migratory songbirds are making sweet music.

Sea turtles--the lucky few born on a protected beach--have hatched. The piping plovers, an endangered species easily spotted on Ocracoke, have finished nesting until the spring. All good news, and it means that most of the beach is open for driving and fall fishing.

I do love a nice long beach ride in the company of good friends.