Changes in Plans, Fishing & Weather

One of the great things about being a fulltimer is the flexibility we have about where we go, when we go and what route we will travel. Sometimes we change plans at the last minute just because we choose to and some times the change is necessary. We added a few days to our stay in Avon so we would be leaving on the weekend. We had planned to spend a couple of days in Ocracoke and then take the ferry to the mainland and stop at Brian and Lori Sharp's to see them and the kids. The last time we were here we went that way and helped them move into their new home. When we checked the weather the day before we were schedule to cross there were high winds, high surf and small craft warnings so we cancelled the ferry reservation and decided we would drive the extra 150 miles to avoid a repeat of that ferry ride on Pamlico Sound. Another change in our plans is that we may get to see a space shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral. The launch scheduled for last month was scrubbed and the new launch date is November 30. This would be great as we missed seeing a launch in 07 when that one was scrubbed.

Another change in plans was having to get the fridge updated as it was recalled. There has been an ever expanding recall of our Norcold model since we have been on the road and ours was finally included. If you have a Norcold you should check the latest recall. We were worried about finding someone out here on Hatteras Island to do the job and were happy to find Bill's RV Service & Repair just up the road in Salvo. Bill ordered the parts and was very efficient in getting the job done. If you are ever in need of a repair on the Outer Banks we would recommend Bill.
The fishing continued to be good but the change was there seems to be bigger fish. I hooked the biggest fish I have ever had here, a very nice drum, that I was able to get to the beach but lost because I was not going into the water, which has cooled down, to pick it up. Oh well I was going to release it any way. I did land this little sand shark. When fishing in Hatteras you never know what you are going to hook. I caught at least eight different species.

Here is a look at how much the weather has changed. Left is looking up the beach from the cottage when Tom & Georgie and Mike & Sheri were here. Right is the same beach today with the high surf. There were many of those rogue waves I warned them about when they were staying there.

Looking down the beach toward the cottage at the Outer Banks Motel. The waves were getting all the way up to the dune. That is a dead deer on the beach, go figure.

Nanc looking at the waves by the circle of stones that mark the old location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It is a good thing they moved it. The winds today were only about 25 mph with 40 mph gusts, far below the 75mph of the weakest hurricane.

Waves hitting the dunes near the old lighthouse site. The dunes on Hatteras are all man made. They were constructed by the CCC in the 1930's. Before the dunes the high water would just wash across the island into the sound.

Time to head south for warmer weather.