The surf was still up this morning
Breakfast was biscuits, gravy and Chorizo eggs. My dietary restrictions didn't stand a chance down here so I would just have to rededicate myself after we get back on the road. I finished yesterday's blog post and then Sandy and I called the utility companies back in Sudbury to cancel the accounts for her mother's house, because the sale closes on Friday.
One update on yesterday. Someone found the one missing jigsaw puzzle piece on the floor so it was actually 1,000 pieces, but the puzzle was already dismantled in the box.
At 11:30, Billy Bob, Linda, Sandy and I climbed into their trusty Subaru Legacy and headed south towards Manteo (pronounced MAN-ee-oh). It took us an hour to get there and, once we got to US 158 (where we got onto the island) the laid back two-lane road gave way to a main four-lane thoroughfare lined with commercial ventures all the way along. It reminded me of the difference between St. Pete's Beach and Pass-a-Grille in Florida.
The Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills was closed today, probably due to the high winds.
After driving further south on US 158, we turned right and crossed Roanoke Sound on a causeway/bridge to Roanoke Island and parked at Roanoke Island Festival Park, itself a small island.
Manteo waterfront
Elizabeth II
Bridge to Festival Park
Over the bridge, we walked along the boardwalk past some interesting boats until we got to the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse Area area.
They use Robertson screws here, too
A mark on the tower showed the high water mark (7' 11" above mean sea level) from Hurricane Irene in 2011. That would have flooded the entire town.
The tower
Sandy's eyes would have been above water
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
This was screwed down into the floor of the bay to support the lighthouse
Looking across Roanoke Sound at Nags Head
Queen Elizabeth Avenue - Manteo North Carolina
Edith Ann and friends
Currents running
On the way out of Manteo, we stopped at Big Al's for lunch. This retro diner was a shrine dedicated to the worship of all things Coca-Cola. My mushroom/Swiss burger (with bun and fries) was very good, even if it was a bit pricey.
When we came outside around 2:30, the skies had cleared and the sun wash shining.
The older lady in the right photo was the model in the left
No one had the courage to try this
Back on the OBX, we made another stop at Jeanette's Pier. The wind was howling out of the north and we got sandblasted just getting from the parking lot to the building. We paid $2.00 each to go out on the pier (the ticket was good until midnight). The wind was blowing a sustained 40 MPH with gusts to 55 and the seas were breaking a fair way offshore.
I am sure a visit to the pier on a calm day would be nice but this was memorable.
It's hard to convey the force of the wind
Looking east at Maria
I like the shark fin
Linda shooting video
The waves are bigger than they look
Billy Bob
Sandy is leaning into the wind
That whole pile is sea foam
Weather at Jeanette's Pier
Under the pier exhibit
History of Jeanette's Pier
Sandy guarding against blowing sand
We got back up to the house at 4:25. Before supper, Sandy and Linda joined the ladies in the hot tub while I sorted photos and transcribed notes. Supper had a Mexican theme with tortillas and fixings for fajitas, including beef and chicken from last night. There were also chicken enchiladas that had a little bit of bite to them. After supper, some of us played a game called Left Center Right. Each player started with $3.00 and I ended up with $9.00. Then we played Deer In The Headlights. These folks were big on games, which was not a bad thing. Conviviality was enhanced by Eric's bar tending skills. Who knew a raspberry margarita would taste that good.
It was about 11:00 PM when we finally decided to call it a night.
Poseidon guards the front door of our house
Today's Route (67 Subaru miles):
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