...that's the title of a book by David Yeadon, published in 1984, but now out of print. Chapter 15 is titled "Ocracoke Island, The Goodliest Land." I thought our readers would enjoy this paragraph from p. 138:
"This is a mellow little place (I've always wanted to use the word 'mellifluous' in some context, and it's just about right here). White cottages slumber under the generous shade of live oaks, loblollies, and cedars; sandy paths meander through the 'old village'; cozy hotels and inns promise simple comforts through the summer days and evenings; small restaurants are redolent with the aromas of she-crab soup, oyster stew, Ocracoke clam chowder, broiled fish from the charter boats, crabcakes, and big pink shrimp full of sea tang and that special sweetness only found in fresh seafood."
To be sure, Ocracoke has changed some in more than a quarter of a century, but Yeadon's assessment of Ocracoke is basically as true today as it was in 1984. It is good to be reminded of that.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Ocracoke and the "Lost" Colony. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112111.htm.
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Philip, that excerpt captures the very essence of Ocracoke....thanks for bringing a pleasant memory to this NC Mainlander. I believe I can almost hear the seagulls fussing at each other, see boats of all sizes heading out of the harbor and hear the Hoi Toiders' brogue this morning. A great way to begin my Monday!
ReplyDeleteperhaps OIJ readers are following the story of the sunk cruise ship. How did that gash occur?? granted it was not intentionally sunk as in Blackbeards case but a sunk ship is a sunk ship. and last week, it was a big one.
ReplyDeleteocracoke is, indeed, the goodliest land :)
ReplyDeleteand anon 10:06 - i havent been following it but i think they are saying its captain error, and i *think* he's been, or being, charged with the deaths of the passengers. again, not positive, but i think thats what i heard.
It was because of that chapter of his marvelous book that my escapes to Ocracoke began all those many years ago
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