Sunday, January 20, 2013

No sea, only sky

Listening to "Farther On Down The Road" by Taj Mahal


It's interesting getting a taste of what it will be like to live at anchor.  We left the marina in Oriental ten days ago and have been having a lovely time sailing and testing out various systems, however, we do not have our extra solar panels, the shore power cords, or the wind generators operational.  This means that we have been relying on the panels on the hard top, which are often shaded by the boom, and infrequent injections of power from the engine.  Most of the time we simply try to conserve power and direct usage where it is most needed.  Computer charging does not fall very high on this list.  

Today, however, has been lovely.  Sunny, crisp but mild, and a blazing sun that has allowed our little solar panels to shine...or rather soak up the shine.  My computer is humming happily and I'm eager to see what the world has been up to in our absence.

I had the most wonderful time while anchored in West Bay.  In general I greatly prefer to live at anchor as opposed to docked in a marina.  There is this connection with your surroundings that is somewhat lost once the boat is hobbled to a dock...she can't move freely and the natural rhythm is somewhat stifled.  It helped that we woke up to the most magical sight.  Calm waters that reflected the sky perfectly, and with a fog that obscured the land and made both Drake and I feel as though Paragon was floating on a cloud.  I cannot explain the wonder of our surroundings that morning as I looked in all directions and saw,  not water, but sky.  Sky everywhere!


It was as though we were anchored in the sky


The fog obscured the land and created this magical illusion






The days in West Bay also gave us a bit of time to decompress and change our tempo.  We were able to step back and spend some time together before heading on to Ocracoke.  


Sunrise on the morning we left West Bay for Ocracoke



May I just take this moment to say how very much I adore Ocracoke.  I have wanted to come here ever since I can remember, though for some reason or another we never made the trip.  Now that we are here it is everything I thought it could be and more.  I think the fact that it is the off season has even made it better.  Many businesses are closed, but those that are open are both glad to see you and have the time to step back and have a chat.  The whole village has a relaxed and sleepy atmosphere that is, I'm sure, quite different from the mad house it turns into during the summer tourist season.

Our arrival by sailboat has raised several eyebrows since January is not usually a popular month to hop in a boat and head out to the outer banks for a visit.  In fact, we were stopped the other day by a delightful gentleman, Rob,  who zipped through town in the vehicle of choice, a golf cart, and told us he wrote The Shipping News for the Ocracoke Current.  As he put it, he wrote about interesting people passing through, and just the fact that we were here in January must make us interesting.  You can read the article here: http://www.ocracokecurrent.com/53865

Now Drake and I have spent the days working on Paragon and exploring the island.  We walked up to the Ocracoke Lighthouse, visited the British Cemetery, purchased some cards at Books To Be Red, walked along the Springer's Point Preserve nature trail, and enjoyed a lovely meal at the Topless Oyster Restaurant.  I look forward to checking out more of this lovely island…


Anchored in Silver Lake on Ocracoke Island


The Ocracoke Lighthouse

Walking on the nature trail.  It's nice to be surrounded by such greenery

Dinner and drinks at The Topless Oyster Restaurant

Oysters Rockefeller and some Guinness while waiting for dinner

16 comments:

  1. Wow.. you guys have a great life.


    Thanks for sharing.
    Laura Ann Harris

    http://www.facebook.com/EatAMangoCreationsUniqueArtAndPhotography

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  2. Thank you Laura. I have certainly tried to pursue quality of life as opposed to quantity and it has, for the most part, been a good choice for me. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have had and the wonderful people I have met.

    By the way, I love your paintings! So so lovely. Just looking at that lovely piece above the sofa transported me to the magical and expansive waters of the caribbean. Beautiful!

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  3. You really have a great eye for taking pictures...Something you either have or don't...IMHO..

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    1. Thank you so much. I'm very much looking forward to taking photographs along the eastern seaboard and in Greenland this summer. Just the thought of seeing those magnificent icebergs makes me giddy…and a little anxious. *grin*

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  4. Is Drake related to Pernell Roberts?

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    1. No he is not, although I can certainly see some resemblance there, eh?

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  5. You should put a *cough* ring *cough* on that girl's finger Drake.

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  6. Very sweet...I love Ocracoke, and Hatteras Village just to the north. Enjoy your stay!

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    1. I thought since we were here that we could take the free fourty minute ferry over to Hatteras, but unfortunately it is not running at the moment. The woman at Ocracoke Pizza Company said there was a problem with shoaling which has put a bit of a kink in everyone's travel plans. Ah well…another time.

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  7. My wife and I visited Okracoke back in 89' whilst on our honeymoon. What history resides there! To this day I remember a small old ragged shrimp boat named the "Good Luck" tied to the dock . It seemed to personify the village to me..salty, worn out, and battered but still floating.
    Your adventures bring back the great memories of being there.
    Thank you! By the way..great article in the "Current"

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    1. Thank you! It was such a delightful surprise to be featured in The Shipping News, and Rob was a wealth of local information and stories.

      This place is definitely very special and I can't wait to return in March!

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  8. Nice picture with Drake sitting on the bow. It does look like Paragon is flying. Awesome shot. I am going to try my hand at blogging this year. Will be following you & other bloggers for ideas:)

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    1. Good luck with the blogging! I'm still getting my footing, but enjoy writing very much.

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  9. Wonderful blog and pictures, thank you!

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    1. Thank you! If nothing else had gone right on our trip, those sky pictures would have made it all worthwhile! It was breathtaking...

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