The first attempt at riding the NC Vehicle Ferries!

Attempt, yes, we didn't quite get it done.  There are 10 NC car ferries in NC.  7 are run by NC Department of Transportation (DOT) and 3 are subcontracted out and are up river cable ferries, usually carrying 2 cars.  These run on an as needed basis like when you get there you honk the horn.  The remaining 7 car ferries are run by DOT and if the schedule says it leaves at 11:00 then at ll:001 the ferry has left the dock....you missed it.  Amazingly precise schedules and dependable except for in really bad weather. 

The Elwell Ferry had maintenance problems.  Paul discovered on the WEB that Elwell was down for 2 days for maintenance.  Later that was extended to 1 week.  So a rough start to our trip.

We stopped in Southport, NC for lunch  at Fishy Fishy and had an excellent fried seafood meal, fried shrimp.  I highly recommend this place.

After a good meal we headed for the Ft. Fisher Ferry.  It runs on a continual schedule and easy to get on it.  It's a quick 45 minute ride.

                

These are the large ferries carrying 20-40 cars, RV's. tractor trailers, most anything that travels by road.

The crossing was quick and easy.  So the next stop was to be at the Cherry Branch to Minnesott Ferry.  But first we had to get by Wilmington.  It took 5+ hours to get around Wilmington, horrible traffic and no way out of it.  By the time we got to Morehead City we were beat.  It was hot and the winds were gusty.  We decided to do the Cherry Branch Ferry in the morning and head to the late Ferry to Ocracoke in the afternoon.  Once again we had an excellent seafood meal at the Red Fish Grill.  I had the fish and chips.  We stayed the night in Morehead City.