Anglers Galore!

The annual surf fishing tournament is in full swing. Jennifer's team didn't catch any fish big enough to score yesterday, but I heard a report that they were unconcerned, working on their tans and catching a buzz. "A" is for attitude, ladies.

It's also an exciting day for Ocracoke School elementary students, who are busy planting marsh grasses to help with wetlands restoration down by the old Coast Guard Station. Muddy kid = happy kid.

The live oaks are lush and green with new growth and clusters of tiny wildflowers are speckled along the road to the beach. Check out all the great Ocracoke vacation rental houses on Blue Heron's website and come celebrate this glorious spring with us!

byob, it's ocracoke!

The rumors are at least partly true: there is a peculiar selection of booze at the liquor store on Ocracoke. It makes me feel like we're in days of yore (or maybe my thinking is addled by attending the amazing and emotional Portsmouth Island Homecoming last weekend), when people smuggled spirits in from the mainland.

So rather than vodka gimlets, this balmy evening calls for tequila and fresh lime juice in a glass rimmed with salt and sugar.

Tonight is also the vote, by Ocracoke's Sanitary District Board, on a tax to support the construction of a new fire house for Ocracoke's VFD. Elizabeth Howard always told me she was more scared of fire than she was of a hurricane, and she never left for hurricanes.

Feels like Sunday

Another fantastic day to do little or nothing on Ocracoke Island but listen to the breeze in the branches. The crab pots are catching nicely, and we've been picking a pound of meat every few days, and eating crab on everything except ice cream.

I think it's finally time to put my winter clothes away. I'm ready to wear some swingy little dresses and feel the sun on my skin! Great weekend, with friends from the triangle area in town checking out a old island home they're considering buying.

Bye bye bike week, welcome Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament.

cold water

A teenaged girl from Vermont, who each spring spends a week in an Ocracoke rental home, told me she and her brother had been swimming, and claimed the water was "warm."
Yesterday I decided to see for myself, and I am here to tell you: the ocean water is not yet warm. Invigorating, not warm. But there were sets of perfect little waves and the sun was shining.

Dreamin' my life away

Anything before 10 am counts as early, for me. I don't have children solely because they would interfere with my habit of sleeping frequently and well. Lounging in bed, lingering in those last, vivid dreams before waking, stretching in patches of sunlight . . . let me just say that I do Not understand people who brag about how little sleep they get.

My snug little house has its charms, but I dream of an Ocracoke cottage with a vast sleeping porch, of a shaded hammock, of a creaky trundle bed, a book, a soft blanket. This is an acceptable way to spend a vacation. But not a life. My dreams are better when I sandwich them with some activity.

Next week I'd like to check out one of Amy's yoga classes at Deepwater. (Maybe Mrs. Winstead wants to go with me?) Today, I've been informed, the activity is setting crab pots. Right on. I'll let you know how they taste.

Who could ask for anything more?

Incomparably nice weather, and the drum are surfacing in big schools and anglers are casting right to them. My favorite charter boat mate said yesterday was one of the nicest days he's ever been out.

Birdsong fills the air. A red bellied woodpecker was hopping up the cedar tree outside my kitchen window, and not long ago I saw a migrating cedar waxwing. I'm a total amateur at birding, so every small sighting makes me happy.

super smooth

I live at the beach. I own rollerblades. Today I put them on for the first time in a while and checked out the new bike path that parallels Highway 12 all the way out to the NPS campground. It's smooth blacktop and superb access for people getting to the Lifeguard Beach, airport, nature trail and campground under their own power. Will its existence make me exercise more? Probably not, but it'll be safer and easier when I do.

The many visitors who love camping will appreciate it too. If you like a few more amenities and luxury, check out Blue Heron Realty's special Deals for a discounted cottage or rental home on Ocracoke.

The Circle is Unbroken

After work I walked over to Howard's Pub (which some people have taken to calling "Club Pub"; will that catch on?) and the Aaron Caswell Band was playing. Soooooo awesome. Aaron's a high school student, so there was a booth of his peers squished together. Aaron's Mom and some of her friends were there too, at a discreet distance. The island got a good soaking rain night before last, so lots of locals were rockin' their rubber boots, which look fantastic on the dance floor.

Islanders Martin Garrish and Jackie Willis, the heart and soul of the Ocracoke Rockers for so many years, looked like they were having a great time letting Aaron shine. Brett Evans was laying it down on drums. They do Nirvana covers! They do Nirvana covers really well! And they play classic rock that makes you want to get up and move.

Get thee to Ocracoke. It's fun here.

Upcoming Ocracoke Events

Some great community events are planned over the next two weekends, so if you've been dreaming of sand between your toes, give Blue Heron a call about rental cottages on Ocracoke Island.

Saturday, April 24 is the Portsmouth Island Homecoming. If you want to immerse yourself in local Outer Banks history, look no further. The homecoming happens every other year, so take advantage of this rare chance to check out the privately leased homes on the island and get mail stamped at the Post Office. There is hymn singing in the church and pot luck picnic. What could be bad about that? www.friendsofportsmouthisland.org

WOVV 90.1, Ocracoke's non-commercial community radio station, is hosting a fundraising event that evening, with BBQ plates, tamales, a silent auction and free entertainment by local and regional bands and musicians.

And look out, because OISFT rolls into town the next weekend. The annual surf fishing tournament is huge, and hugely fun. I'm rooting for Jennifer's team.

That same weekend (April 29, 30, May 1) a local group is resurrecting Ocracoke's tradition of community theater with performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's gonna be groovy, I promise.

Playing "Wipe Out" on the Ukelele

Sunny, warm and windy. a beuyutiful april day on ocracoke. Except it's a little gusty. Lots of happy clumps of people in town visiting all the shops kind of puts me in the mood to do a little shopping myself. That or go out for dinner, lovingly prepared by someone else.
There must be another song besides Wipe Out that can be played by a beginner on the ukelele. What could it be?

Cruising in Style

The Blue Heron fleet of bicycles and (new this year!) golf carts for rent on Ocracoke Island are ready to roll. Riding in the open air always feels best to me. I'm going to take advantage of this fantastic weather we've been having and get my own bike ready. WD-40? Check. Air compressor? Check. Can of metallic spray paint? Check. I may even stop by Bella Fiore and treat myself to an adorable new bike bell. See ya.

Easter Weekend on Ocracoke Island

We're having unbelievably fine spring weather here on Ocracoke Island. My neighbor Rob, who surfs year round, reports that the ocean is warming up and a few hardy souls are swimming without wet suits. Charter boats are bringing in nice catches of black sea bass and on the docks as elsewhere, people are reveling in the balmy days, spending lots of time outside and turning smiling faces to the sun.

The annual community Easter Egg Hunt is this morning. Bring the kids and have fun meeting some locals families over--what else?--egg salad.

Last night I drifted off to sleep listening to Atlantic breakers rolling along the beach. Sleeping with the windows open is mighty fine. Find your bliss with an Ocracoke Island rental of your own!