Island Free Press ...Local News

Slow down. You’re on island time!

The off-season brings its own pace to Hatteras and Ocracoke. While we may lament the howling winds or the lack of open restaurants on nights we do not want to cook, the off-season gives us the opportunity to reconnect with the best parts of our islands and ourselves. Here are just a few ideas.

TAKE A WALK IN THE WOODS

One of the best things about Hatteras and Ocracoke islands is the variety of unique natural environments found on such narrow strips of sand. In fact, the blend of wind, tides, and water and the wild mix of it all draw most of us here. Unlike even the northern beaches of the Outer Banks, we are fortunate to have the protection of the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), and state organizations to keep our beaches, marshes, and maritime forests intact.

What makes a walk in the woods so special? Maritime forests support a wide variety of plant and animal life. The cooler temperatures means you are less likely to greet the mosquitoes, and the quieter times make it easier to listen for bird calls.

Look up and down while walking in the woods. You will see animal tracks, circling birds, and scurrying critters. Maritime forests are often laced with creeks and bogs. We have spotted a heron fishing and two mallard ducks grazing in the creek. Overhead, an osprey circled to find a resting place for its fish supper.

Encountering wildlife should not incite fear. In fact, the smallest animals (mice or squirrels) often make the biggest racket as they bound in the woods. Our parents were right when they told us, “It’s more scared of you,” but wild animals of any size should never be provoked or mistreated.

On Hatteras, some of the favorite wooded trails are through the Buxton Woods. You can try the loop trail near the Lighthouse Visitor Center.

A web of trails from near the Buxton campground extends to the Frisco campground, through the state’s Buxton Woods Coastal Preserve and Park Service property. These trails offer the opportunity to explore the island and a variety of micro-environments. You can get on the trail at the back of the Park Service’s Frisco Campground or on the Open Ponds trail between the picnic area and the Park Service offices in the old Coast Guard station on the road to Cape Point Campground.

If you head out on this exploration, bring a snack and water. There are tales of families near mutiny after too many hours without rest or supplies, since the trail does not “loop” back to the car. Some folks park a car at one end of the trail and drive around to where they want to begin. The walk takes several hours. Be sure to avoid walking on private property that borders this route.

Whether you live on Ocracoke or hop a ferry one afternoon, Ocracoke offers loop trails at both Hammock Hill and Springer’s Point Coastal Preserve. While there is parking for cars at Hammock Hill, plan on walking or biking to Springer’s Point from the main parking area by the ferry dock and visitor center. Do not park in driveways or area streets – they are too narrow and private.

Hammock Hill offers sweeping views of marshland and the Pamlico Sound. Cleared paths and wooden bridges make this an easy walk for old and young alike.

Springer’s Point skirts the coastline, passes abandoned cisterns, and showcases a number of large live oaks, yaupons, and red cedar. Enjoy the solitude in these few moments of forest before hopping back into the village.

WALK ON THE SHORELINE

Whether you enjoy the sandy beaches by the ocean or the tidal flats and marshes of the soundside, you can find a place on the islands for reflection and exercise. Since our beaches and shoreline are generally protected by the Park Service or the Fish and Wildlife Service, make sure to follow all rules, especially concerning leash laws and park usage.

As with our other environments, the wildlife abounds at the beach. Birds – gulls, pelicans, sandpipers – scatter about the beach, the waves, and the skies. Dolphins often come near shore, with large pods playing in the surf. If you are lucky, you can see them riding the waves much like our local surfers!

If you walk after winter storms, you may find your beachcombing more productive. Look for shells, sea glass, and other items you might enjoy. Some people even collect the plastic toys left behind by children and waves! If you pick items up on the beach, take the time to pick up at least one piece of litter, too.

Beachcombing offers just the surface of what came before us – be it shelled animals or bits of glass worn by the sea. Looking at the ripples of sand and the bubbles of mud can lure you into the secret world of the barrier island.

It is here that I must recommend additional resources to unravel the mysteries. One of my favorite books is “How to Read a North Carolina Beach,” by Dr. Orin Pilkey of Duke University. It’s available at visitor centers and local retailers.

On the soundside, look at the wide variety of waterfowl. Some of my favorite animals who call tidal areas “home” include wading birds. Big squawking blue herons, with wing spans up to 8 feet, will certainly awe you each and every time they visit. Graceful egrets, seemingly paper thin, strike at the fish with amazing precision.

Some other inhabitants include turtles, frogs, and snakes. Look for the changes in the water pattern or tracks in the sand to see what traveled before you. Nutria, otters, and raccoons all have distinct tracks you can follow.

Some type of shoe is always recommended on soundside walks, as shells, glass, and other objects from past storms may easily cut your feet. Be sure to wash out any cuts with soap and water.

PEA ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

If you really want to stretch your legs, be sure to head out to the ponds near the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge visitor center north of Rodanthe. The North Pond Wildlife Trail at the visitor center is wheelchair accessible with suitable paths and viewing assistance provided. Similar parking and accessibility is provided at the tip of North Pond on the Salt Flats Wildlife Trail.

Exploring the entire North Pond takes you along the marsh side of the ponds, looking out onto the sound. The trail is approximately 2 1/2 miles long, and there is parking at either end (visitor center or the Salt Flats parking areas).

To make this a full “loop,” you would have to walk along Highway 12, which cannot be recommended for safety reasons, especially if you have small children. If you leave your vehicle at either end, cross the highway (SAFELY – the speed limit is 55 mph here!) and walk along the beach until you reach the opposite end. If you walk north to south, the visible boiler from the Federal transport “Oriental,” wrecked in 1862, is across the highway from the visitor center.

Your other option is to simply walk the trail twice or coordinate multiple cars.

Maps and trail information is available at the visitor center.

ENJOY THE NIGHT SKY

Studies by international scientific teams, including the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), found that 97 percent of people in the United States live in areas where the sky never gets darker than that of a rural area at the half moon. This means that it might take you a bit of practice to use your night vision.

If you are fortunate to be staying in an area where neighbors leave outside lights off, you may only have to step onto the porch or deck to soak in a good view. The best night views, however, are often on the beach, and, fortunately, the Park Service permits beach access throughout the night.

If you are lucky enough to be here on or near a full moon, you can stand on the dunes at sunset and watch the moonrise simultaneously to the east. It can be quite a spectacle, with the light creating illusions of solar flares on the ocean horizon. This view is best seen where you can view east and west clearly. On Hatteras, north of Buxton to Rodanthe offers the best views.

Hands down, the best night time show is the Milky Way. It is visible to the naked eye to only 10 percent (or fewer) of Americans, so it’s quite likely you might have missed the Milky Way completely if you never came to Hatteras or Ocracoke! Stepping out into a dark night to see this bright swath of stars and glow millions of years old instills that ancient sense of awe at the universe. It is the awe that has inspired poets, philosophers, artists, and writers for centuries. It will take your breath away and stay with you forever

VISIT FAMILY OR FRIENDS

During the summer months, we seem to catch up with friends, family, and neighbors only in passing. The off-season gives us the opportunity to catch up and hang out.

Whether you have children at home or extended family nearby, be sure to plan some time together each week. Plan a meal time or pick a movie or watch a favorite television show together. Break out an old board game or pick up a new one at the thrift store and play with abandon.

Getting together with friends does not have to mean dinner parties or themes or elaborate meals. Potluck is a great island tradition, and it helps everyone to showcase his or her favorite dish. Pick a sporting event, host a holiday event, or plan an “un-birthday” party for your friends.

TAKE TIME FOR LEARNING

It seems like no matter where I go, I hear about “life-long learning.” It’s just a fancy way of saying “don’t go stale.” Winter offers a variety of community events, workshops, concerts, and classes. Many are free, though some are fundraisers for local community organizations.

Keep an eye on flyers at the post office and check the “community listings” in both print papers and The Island Free Press. Past events have included speakers from East Carolina University (Dr. Stan Riggs), guitar workshops and concerts, local musical performances, classes through the College of the Albemarle, and training to volunteer in a number of community organizations. The local “Knit-Wit” group will begin meeting again at the Dancing Turtle coffee shop in Hatteras village.

Curling up with a good book and a cup of tea or hot chocolate seems decadent. Whether you enjoy a good mystery, a political manifesto, or a deep look at history, books remain a key to the world and the views of those we live with. Stop by the local library or local store to find new books or to explore a new hobby. Both libraries and bookstores will help you find something to suit your fancy, and they will often order it if they do not have it immediately available. The inter-library loan system is a great tool!

UNWIND

Everyone has his or her own way to relax. After a busy season, and before gearing up for the next one, be sure that you unwind and decompress.

For some, this means exercise. Adding a bike ride or extending a walk brings a slower pace to the day. If you enjoy group exercise, check out the Fessenden Center, local yoga teachers and spas for class offerings.

Others enjoy meditation or reflection. Whether you set time aside just for reflection or if you consider nature as you work or exercise, take a moment to take in the beauty and bounty in our islands.

If you prefer the indoors, or if winter weather prevents outdoor activities, pick up a movie at the local video store or keep your Netflix account current. Try a documentary or a movie that won an award last year or pick a day to watch the classics. Don’t forget – stove-top popped corn beats microwave any day.

Whether you look at winter as a time to rejuvenate by reconnecting with others or by escaping the maddening crowds, fall and winter offer us the natural cycles of rest and reflection. Enjoy the time with your friends, families, and communities. Spring is just around the corner!