The Outer Banks loop back to Ocracoke

 It was a fitful nights sleep.  The beds were pretty ugly and the place made the Super 8's look like 5 Star hotels but it was cheap.  We were both up at 6:00 partly due to the fear of not making the 1:30 ferry back to Swan Quarter because then we would be stuck for another night with no reservations.  We got up and packed then decided to get breakfast and race to the Hatteras Ferry.  We were at the Pony Cafe when it opened at 7:00 and had an excellent breakfast.  It was only about a 30 minute ferry to Hatteras Island then we had to do a U-turn and get back on the ferry.  The last ferry out of Ocracoke was at 1:30pm so we needed to hustle.  The Hatteras Ferry leaves every 30 minutes and the ride is 1 hour 30 minutes.  

While we were sent to the front of the line, we were still the last to get on the ferry.  It makes it a little nerve wracking waiting because I have been turned away at these ferries without reservations.  The huge RV parked in front of us was driven by a woman that sold all her belongings 3 years ago and bought the RV and has been touring the US continually.  The crossing was calm and when we arrived at Hatteras they told us we had to leave like all the cars and do a U-turn then return to the Ferry and get in line.  There were 4 full lines of cars waiting and they were starting to fill the 5th one.  Two lines filled a ferry so we weren't sure of getting on the next one, or the one we just got off of.  They waved us to the front again and this time they loaded us first.  Now another 1 1/2 hr ride back to Ocracoke.  We were going to have free time going back.

Going through the area under construction was interesting.  Last week the road had been overwashed and the sand bags washed away.  They now had forklifts carrying huge sand bags and rebuilding the barrier.  The ocean came up to the road and with a wind would easily wash over the road.  I tried to take a picture on the move but it wasn't great but you can see the sand bags over my shoulder.

Three days after our crossing they had to shut down the road again due to over wash.  

We took a break at the Pony Pens and it was a beautiful clear day and the ponies were out grazing.  It look like a great facility for them.

We rolled into town with time to spare so we found a good restaurant.  SmacNally's Seafood and Bar was on the way to the ferry so we had a leisurely lunch and the food was excellent.  We made the 1:30 ferry and went right on.  I think both of us took a nap during the 2hr and 40 min ride to Swan Quarter.  

We had to change the routing since Paul had to be in Greenville SC on Friday.  So we left for Plymouth to find the San Souci Ferry.  This was a small 2 car ferry that Paul had been on when he did the bicycle from the Mountains to the Shore, years ago.  It was getting late and these small ferries are unpredictable and sure enough it wasn't running.

In fact it was under water.  It was quite a challenge turning the bikes around with water all around.

So we found our way back to Plymouth and found a hotel and a mexican restaurant.

 Then we crashed for the night.  The many hours sitting on the ferries seemed to be as tiring as actually riding the motorcycle.