Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Sunday we spent the day visiting Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and revisiting Bodie Island, Ocracoke and Cape Hatteras Lighthouses.  It was beautiful day for a road trip.

The volunteer working at the visitor center knows our friend Judy Bell.  We shared volunteer stories with her then checked out the exhibits.  

Volunteer Peggy Harrison.

Back in 2004, when I retired the first time, John and I took a vacation to this area and visited the lighthouses.  As I was looking through some old photos, I found one of John at Ocracoke Lighthouse.  I thought it would be cool to take a new one and compare the two. 

2004 on the left and 2016 on the right.

Bodie Island Lighthouse.

Since Pea Island Refuge and Bodie Island Lighthouse are located in close vicinity to each other we stopped there first then took the ferry across to revisit Ocracoke Island Lighthouse. 

One of the views from the ferry as we were heading out to Ocracoke.

A view of Bodie Island Lighthouse from the other end of the island. 

Ocracoke Lighthouse.

We were hungry after all that touring around so we grabbed a bite to eat at a little cafe called Dajio.  They have daily happy hour half pound shrimp for $6.99.  John also had the fish tacos and we split a chocolate cherry cake dessert entree.  

John waiting on his food.  

The ferry ride back takes an hour so we got back before dark.  Just in time to get a cool picture of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse with the light on.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse just after sunset.  It was an awesome sight. 

Yesterday we didn't venture too far to sightsee....just 1.6 miles from our campground.  The Inn at Rodanthe is right up the road.  This is the Inn that was in the movie Nights in Rodanthe starring Richard Gere and Dianne Lane, from the Nicholas Sparks book.  There were two other vehicles riding through looking at it while we were snapping pictures. 

Later in the afternoon we took a long stroll on the beach.  It was very windy but a beautiful day. 

John was able to get this shot of a crab before he escaped into a hole.

We woke up gusting winds this morning.  The wind was blowing so hard the front slide was moving so John pulled in the slides on the right side until it subsides.  It has rained on and off this morning but other than that it isn't too bad.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.