day off, sun is shining

What to do? knock out a few items on my ever-growing "to do" list? or go to the beach with a book, a bag of chips, and pimiento cheese dip from The Fig Tree Deli? Life is hard.

If your days are similarly plagued with difficult decisions, consider an Ocracoke Island vacation. In just a few days, your Blue Heron Realty rental will come to feel like home, only better.

Be here now

1. The water temperature is ideal. Refreshing but not too brisk.
2. The atmosphere is festive for Memorial Day weekend.
3. Tonight is the Fireman's Ball and Bingo starts Tuesday. Can't wait. Love Bingo.

Cobia

Big, slimy and brown, but they taste good when you eat 'em.

I'm being encouraged to mention the Drum Stick charter boat, which sails from the Anchorage Marina, and "knows how to put people on 'em."

Riding the wave, getting tumbled

Making squash and carrot soup and settling in on a blustery day. The surf is huge and should be steadily building. It's something to see and a few people, no doubt, are going to ride it.

Some days I think the only attraction Ocracoke lacks is mountains with natural thermal pools. Today is one of them. I will comfort myself with delicacies from Zillie's and a funny movie, attractions we have.

crystal clear

Standing chest deep in the Atlantic ocean, counting my toes.

Fantasy Island

At least part of the fun of a vacation is in the planning. I imagine people in offices in Raleigh, Washington and Cleveland taking virtual tours of rental homes on Ocracoke, checking out the fishing reports, picturing themselves in a lounger with the perfect beach book.

Tourists sometimes point out that Ocracokers live on vacation. Well, yes, and also we go to work. This morning I was a bad employee, and clicked my way through some fantasy vacations of my own, checking late season snow reports in the Rockies, pricing fares to Thailand, adding a few sailboats for sale to my "favorites" page.

For everything there is a season, and this season I intend to enjoy Ocracoke. The fantastic free Ocrafolk festival is held over the first weekend in June, close on the heels of Memorial Day gatherings. My beach chair is on permanent alert next to a bag stuffed with a towel, trashy magazines, big hat and jug of water. Summer 2010. Bring it on.

romance and rednecks

We had our first big weekend on Ocracoke. It's starting to feel like summer! If you're catching the seasonal fever keep in mind that Blue Heron offers deals on Ocracoke vacation rentals, and visiting before schools let out is never a bad idea.

The island played host to several weddings, with women drifting around in pretty dresses. Balmy nights are scented with honeysuckle.

There was also a fishing tournament in town, with a lot of Eastern NC boys whooping it up and their girlfriends and wives taking advantage of the sunshine to sit outside and enjoy a fun-filled weekend surrounded by friends. Someone reported spotting a man drinking Natural Light at 10 a.m. That's not surprising. That's a vacation.

Getting Green

Golf carts, which have been growing in popularity among Ocracoke residents for the past few years, are clearly here to stay. They are efficient, fun and easily parked. I've seen one with a pink baby seat.

The coolest golf carts are available for rent through Blue Heron Realty. Different local artists took on the challenge of turning the carts into art. Call to reserve yours now!!

Ocracoke also has its first Smart Car in residence. Kathy Hutcherson has been telling people she "loves it," and zips all over town, looking like Judy Jetson in her little bubble.

Sweetness

Charles Temple looks good in seersucker, prefers to not wear shoes, and teaches English on Ocracoke.

The production of A Midsummer Night's Dream he directed is a triumph! "Maybe we'll perform it again in the fall," he said, giddy after the May 6 opening night. People who didn't buy the $6 tickets before they sold out were glad for standing room.

Like it was a rock show.

One of the younger cast members, a glowing, sparkling fairy, came out for a celebratory dinner with her parents. Like good parents everywhere, they treated her to dessert.

Hatteras to Ocracoke in 35 minutes

Ferry rides are a fact of life on Ocracoke, neither lamentable nor worthy of anticipation. On the short Hatteras route, locals stay in their cars. (Unless you spot someone you feel like talking to. In that case, you walk over, tap on their window, and spend the ride sitting in someone else's car.)

Last night the sunset on the 8 pm boat from Hatteras was a stunner, with lots of texture and depth and silky oranges and pinks. I got out of my car and stood in the breeze on the bow and felt blissful.

The weather system that made the sunset so beautiful has passed on, taking the wind and rain with it. This morning everything is still and calm and washed clean. My forecast: a spectacular weekend.

Pagoda

The wind won't stop blowing, so I've been looking for alternatives to lounging on the beach, like reading in my hammock, napping on the sofa, and shopping. Pagoda is the newest shop on Ocracoke. It's adorable, the proprietor Ryan is adorable, and he's got great stuff: chunky bracelets, fabric bags, cute (and bio-degradable!) flip flops, locally made candles.

Why Blue Heron is the Best

Every couple of days something happens to remind me how nice it is to live on Ocracoke. Last night my nephew Max had his first sleepover. His parents were visiting friends, and Max was drowsy, cozy and happy amidst their kids, reluctant (or, quite possibly, refusing stubbornly) to go. Just leave him here, we'll take care of him, said Jennifer. And so, as reported to me by my sister, they laughed and left him.

Jennifer is the owner of Blue Heron Realty, and while you may not get to curl up on her sofa, she does make sure that every guest is comfortable and easeful in their Ocracoke vacation cottage. She's a pro. She practices on her friends!