Trip back from Ocracoke

Sharon snapped this photo of us at Gaffer's.....a little wind-blown, I must say!

Up early for the trip back to Oriental.

Leaving Silver Lake.

The obligatory ferry photo....note the nice calm water.  Much different than the trip over.

But the calm water meant light winds....so we had to run one of the engines all the way back.  Cute little sailboat we passed in the Pamlico Sound.  And that's it - just another fun jaunt to Ocracoke!

Sail to Ocracoke

Our first "real" sail - from Oriental to Ocracoke.  It's a little over 40 miles....

Up early and shoved off the dock without even making breakfast!

Buddy on crab-pot look-out.  It must be "season" for crab fishing since I don't remember so many before.  Wouldn't be good to run over one of the buoys with the propeller!

A really nice sail in strong winds.  I had planned to make chili while underway....but it was a little tossy-turvy....so we just snacked.

Always a ferry photo or two!  In the channel approaching Ocracoke Island.

Always a welcome sight after 6 or 7 hours of sailing!

All tied up to the Ocracoke National Park Service dock on the windy day!

Miranda and Richard joined us - we're all in for a good mini-vacation!

Later that evening....all settled in with our folding bikes nearby.

Just a pretty picture

We had to go out in open water to calibrate the autopilot.  (You have to make large circles in the water to set up the autopilot at the first installation).

Beautiful day!!  And almost a mirror on the water.