June 16 – 30, 2014

Still my favorite place in the whole wide world, Ocracoke has played a very special part in our lives for the past 13 or so years.  We spend a week there every year to rest, regroup, reflect, and most importantly, plan.  Our cruising adventure was born there, so it was absolutely appropriate for us to cruise into our “one particular harbor,” Silver Lake, aboard Journey.  It was by far the most emotional part of our trip for me, as it felt so very full circle.  We love that place with all of our heart and had 2 wonderful weeks there as cruisers.  If you ever have the chance to visit, by car or by boat, go.  Thanks to Wendy and David for introducing it to us many moons ago <3

Click the first pic for a slideshow and more ramblings…

Ocracoke from afar!

Super, crazy shoal!

We had to dodge ferry traffic! Eeek!!

The best view ever!

Folks wavin’ to us from the Cedar Island Ferry!

Entering Silver Lake Harbor.

Welcome!

The anchorage! It was pretty full when we arrived.

We were so happy to be there. Here is our first selfie with the lighthouse behind JR’s head!

The lighthouse off of our starboard bow <3

First order of business was to get us some bikes and a new catnip plant for Leo. This is Leo on nip.

This is Leo after cat nip. SMH.

Headed back from the beach. We sure missed our truck, but the ride to the public beach was nice too.

JR’s pic of the little lighthouse in front of the big one.

JR taking his cool pic of the little light and the big one.

This is what Leo looks like when he’s chillin’ in Ocracoke.

Biking around. This is at the boat ramp.

Me in my happy place :)

My handsome husband drinking a draft.

A silly pelican and Journey.

My all time, favorite picture, ever :)

Driving and ice creaming!

A nice lighthouse picture.

A frog at Jason’s.

Me leaving Zillie’s.

These guys were jerks and anchored way too close to us. Created the most intense night we’ve ever had on Journey. Ask us about it!

10 bucks a pop. Sorry mom, no conch for you :(

The ferry cruisin’ in.

Filling up water at the National Park Service docks.

The Ocracoke radio station had a fundraising event while we were there. Woman’s Arm Wresting, of course!

The ref was a real arm wrestler guy!

Inside the light house. It is usually closed, but on this day they opened it up! We couldn’t climb it, but it was pretty cool to peep inside.

My handsome paddler!

The public beach and some pretty intense clouds!

Jake, being all beautiful and such <3

An Ocracoke family portrait!

Downside of Ocracoke, that black stuff on the boat, BUGS!

Another beautiful beach day!

The best I could do to get Leo and the lighthouse in one shot!

A secret shot in our secret sunset spot :)

Jake caught this beautiful rainbow over the lighthouse. I was still sleeping :)

Me after a nice morning paddle.

Surfing lesson #1: Stand here.

Surfing Lesson #2: Pop up!

Our little surfers!

Dorothy and Bugs :)

Rob catching a wave.

Jake after his first surfing lesson.

Me holding Bugs in her little backpack bag holder thingie! I think I need one for Leo!

Begging for fish.

Sunset over Silver Lake.

T-Moble sucks, so we had to find a pay phone. If you ever need a phone in Ocracoke, don’t bother with the pay phones! Just ask the ferry guys!

A beautiful day near the boat ramp.

Journey in Silver Lake <3

Selfie in the ocean.

Trying to keep Leo cool with a little ice in his water bowl!

Captain Rob takin’ out Windfall II. Can you spot Emmit?

Me and Boo at sunset.

A cloudy day on the beach but we made a friend.

Leo watching it rain.

This is what we had to deal with while commuting to Zillie’s!

Heading over to pick up our friends on Emerald Sunset.

Journey getting a nice bath!

A little drippy, but we made it to Zillie’s!

Heading to dinner in the rain…

Rob and Dorothy in full foulies.

This squall came through and ruined our second day of surf lessons. Oh, and that’s a dead sea turtle to the left. Sad story…

The dinghy dock at Community Square.

Springers Point

Captain Rob and the Wilma Lee.

My captain at the dinghy dock.

Never been around while these beauties were blooming.

Yup, double fisting.

Boo watching the sunset.

The Back Porch.

Playing with my fisheye…

The best we could do for an Ocracoke family portrait.

One last look at our one particular harbor.