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| Photo Courtesy Amy Howard |
The US Coast Guard has now announced that the longer, one-hour crossing, has now been made permanent. More information is available from the Virginian-Pilot, on-line: http://hamptonroads.com/2014/08/alternate-hatteras-inlet-ferry-route-made-permanent.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of late 19th century steamship traffic to Ocracoke, and the large Victorian hotel that accommodated the guests. You can read the article here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082114.htm.
We spent a few days on Ocracoke this past month. We waited on line, but no more than we usually do. The ride over and the scenery was our gift for traveling all day to finally get there. On our return trip, the boat did make contact with the bottom more than once. It's a fact that the water currents are in charge and that this is how it goes in nature. I am just glad that there is a ride to get get to your beautiful island. Our family will wait again to take this journey and if a fee is charged for visitors, we will pay. Thank you for sharing this article. (PS....while I believe visitors should pay, I feel the local taxpayers should NOT, or at the very least, get a big discount.)
ReplyDeleteby local taxpayers do you mean county local of is that the entire state local. If I never visited your county why should I have to pay for you to get by free? The ferry operating fees are paid by the entire state tax base..whether you live in Dare or Hyde counties or in a county on the Tenn/NC border - we all pay for the ferry to operate. A single county should not be granted a special status making the other 99 NC counties pay for this privilege. Dare and Hyde counties add to the state tax base to help maintain I-77. Hyde residents would not like it if folks living in Yadkin county felt that they should not have to pay a tax for a road that they did not ask for. Ocracoke residents should not have a right to travel back and forth for free at everyone else's expense. ALL 100 counties should be equal. Remember, NO IS MAKING YOU LIVE THERE. PAY FOR THE FERRY LIKE WE ALL HAVE TO.
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact, residents of Ocracoke pay taxes, just like everyone else in NC, to support our state highway system. This includes ferries, bridges & roads, including repairs, maintenance, snow removal, and boulder removal on roads we may seldom or never use. Ocracoke & Hyde Co. residents must pay to use the tolled ferries. We do not get free passes.
DeleteMy apologies for starting a ruckus about taxes! It was not my intention at all. Have a great day. :)
ReplyDelete(Anon. 8:18)