Friday, February 27, 2015

In the Country of Ocracoke

In 1994 an island resident compiled a list of 20 observations she thought important to share with island visitors. It was titled "In the Country of Ocracoke." Here is number 3:

"If you're riding along in your car (slowly, please) and you see a car, or more probably a pickup truck, stopped in the lane in front of you and the driver is leisurely conversing with the occupant of a vehicle, most probably another pickup truck, headed toward you in the other lane, please do not honk your horn. Do not lose your patience, or you'll be sent home. Take a deep breath, reach over in the back seat to the cooler of beer you keep there and pop one until traffic clears."

Not much has changed in the last 20 years...except that it's no longer a good idea to "pop one until traffic clears." Our local deputies (and the occasional state trooper on the island) frown on drinking and driving.  

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is research into the origin of the Ocracoke Island Wahab family. You can read the article here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news022115.htm.

8 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:47 AM

    Thank goodness the cell phone is around. Island residents are just a text away therefore not clogging the limited roads with building interpersonal relationships or honing their skills as island engagement facilitators. This reader would appreciate the rest of the Turn of the century tips on OI (1994) and perhaps an Island Hipster has an FYI for the 21st century Stranger in a stranger land .

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    1. If there is anything else of particular interest I will post it in a future blog.

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  2. Anonymous11:48 AM

    Has the rate of drinking and driving decreased on OI? If not much has changed..... honestly why would someone be concerned about drinking and driving-- a more civilized society would take care of make-up application, hair or teeth brushing, flossing, shaving, beard trimming, eating breakfast , knotting a tie, spectacle cleansing, before one leaves the house for the day, But then the lunch hour rolls around causing drivers to leave their place of employment in search of sustenance and another round of multi tasking ensues while behind the wheel of a car. Of course these are all mainland habits -- most certainly abandoned when visitors disembark the ferry. Is this true?

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  3. Anonymous6:51 PM

    Philip,
    I am 13 and I like to read your blog. My uncle had taken us to Ocracoke a few times to fish in the summer. i like it there.
    We all know how you like to dig for information on things, and you do a good job. Maybe you can shed some light on the mailboat Aleta. From what I have read it is sunk in the South River (NC) I wonder exactly where? Was it intentional? Perhaps as a reef for small fish? Why is it there? Is anything left of it? (I know it's under water) If it was that famous why didn't anyone try to restore it? It would make a good display on the Ocracoke waterfront - or in front of your store.
    Thanks for reading this. Mike R.

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    1. Mike, I am happy you enjoy my blog...and Ocracoke. Thanks for letting me know.
      I do not know any more than you do about the fate of the Aleta. But you have a great idea. Unfortunately, it would be very expensive to raise the vessel (or what is left of it), restore it, and transport it to Ocracoke. Perhaps a local non-profit with access to grant money or private donors would want to take on this project. I will pass on your idea.

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    2. Anonymous9:22 AM

      PH because you said "I don't know anymore..." it may interest you and Mike that the exhibit With love, Aleta will run from April 1, 2015 thru Feb. 26, 2016 at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. The cultural resources dept of NC web page has a nice photo and a press release about the Iconic mail boat Aleta. DD

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  4. Anonymous11:32 AM

    Thank you for answering my question. It would be nice to see if on the Ocracoke waterfront if there was anything left of it. I will continue to read your blog. Maybe I can meet you when I come to fish there this summer and maybe even see a baseball game there in your new field. Mike

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    1. Mike, send me an email at info at villagecraftsmen dot com (put "For Philip" in the subject box). I have information for you about the Aleta.

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