Portsmouth Island 2016

[77 KROOZER]

So who's coming when? I hope everybody has their ferry plans made.

We're on the 1:00pm-ish ferry in on Thursday and some god awful early one out on Sunday. It'll be nice to get home before 10pm Sunday for once!

Fishing, the village and maybe food are my only plans for the visit. Really hoping the weather matches the heat wave we had last year. I'm bringing the kayaks if it's warm enough; time to explore the sound side.

JohnVee - we plan to catch the same ferry rides as you and Sarah. We haven't called yet to make an appointment but will try and take care of this tomorrow. Planning on taking the fishing gear again, I'm bound to get lucky sometime. Kayak and mountain bike but still debating about taking the quad. The thought of dropping a trailer on the mainland and "hoping" its there 3 days later is not too appealing. The year I took it was before the Taco had a campershell.

We'll bring the typical breakfast stuff for Fri and Sat. I'll see what Marie wants to do for the two group dinners and post up later. Looking forward to it, the weather was great out there last year.

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

Traditionally, we've only had 8-10 people in the cabins. That's made meals doable in one cabin. We've had people basically pick a night and host it. Not sure of the headcount this time, but 2 of our 3 cabins have a connecting door, and we might not need the 3rd - group meals should be easy enough with all that room. Might need 2 people per dinner to host, though. Post up if you wanna bring enough for 6-12 for a night and we'll get it figured out.

Breakfasts might best be handled with both kitchens going. Kinda hard to have eggs, bacon, biscuits, etc prepared ahead of time so we'll need a bunch of burners.

Lunch is always on the road (beach) and everybody is on their own, cooler food...although I did cook a skate at the cabin last year. I just didn't tell anybody about it because it wasn't really an elegant lunch.

Don't feel compelled to participate in meals if you don't want to. We won't think any less of you unless you hog our meals without contributing!

I'm on the 3:00pm ferry ride to PI. @77 KROOZER you might need to call the ferry office tomorrow to check if there are any 1pm spots left. When I called a few days ago, all the 1pm spots were full. I have a feeling a few people are going to be on the 3pm ferry with me.

@JohnVee put me down for "weeknight chili." It can be whatever night you (or someone else) doesn't want to cook. I'll make a double batch, so it should feed about 8 people. Don't hold me to that number though. I'll contribute...

- Chili
- chili fixin's (shredded cheese, sour cream, hot sauce)
- tortilla chips
- breakfast sausage
- biscuits
- donuts

Lets hope the fishing is good this year. I want some fish for dinner.

 

[JohnVee]

Lets hope the fishing is good this year. I want some fish for dinner.

There's always skate! This year I'm not gonna fillet or skin skate - just lose head/tail/guts. Pretty much like a catfish. The skin comes off so easy when cooked. Last year our cabin neighbors had a cooler full of blowfish (puffers). They told me it was one of the best eating fish in the ocean. I still need to look into that... But none of this matters since Shandor is gonna catch everything in the ocean this year - we'll have our pick of the best!

REMINDER!!! You need to have an NC fishing license with a saltwater endorsement to fish in coastal waters. The fine is nothing to laugh at. Go visit your local Walmart, Dicks, etc and be prepared. I'm guessing you can do it online, too. Don't assume that you'll be safe because you're on an island; there will be enough fishermen there to justify a ranger making the rounds.

 

[forrest5000]

If your going you better reserve ferry now !!!! Problem is the return ferry. Earliest one they had was 3:45 on Sunday.

 

[77 KROOZER]

Alrighty. We are on the 3pm ferry on Thu 10/10. As for the Sunday return, really hoping someone can let us hop on an earlier departure than what was available. We are on the 3pm'er but Marie has a conference in Raliegh that she needs to be there by 4pm at the latest on Sunday. Fingers crossed.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I called a while ago to make a reservation but left a voicemail. Never got a call back.

Won't be able to make it out there till friday afternoon. Hoping there is a friday afternoon ferry out there. Will try to remember to call later today.

 

[SeanLX]

I'd call again in a little while. Fri. just had 9am (too early for me) 11 and 1:00 with spots open. 3:45 was the earliest return on Sun.

 

[izzyandsue]

Last year I had a late afternoon return ferry on Sunday as well, but drove up with others for the noon ferry and they had plenty of room and accommodated me. Not sure if people didnt show up or what, but it can happen, goes on the win column.

 

[JohnVee]

@Izzyandsue You coming this year? Last minute decision again?

 

[JohnVee]

I'm thinking of a roast in the oven one night. Beef. Or I'll bring a potful of Tomatillo Pork Stew. It all depends on my time and access to my kitchen before leaving home (unsure of contractor schedule). I loved that I only had to reheat stuff last year (pork butt) - made for much less fuss at mealtime, since y'all know I can take 45 minutes to make a grilled cheese .

I'd also like to do a whole fish (salmon, snapper, etc) but I haven't found a good fish place on the way in yet (yes, I know we're at the coast at that point ). Post up if you'd me to to this and I'll do some more research. The place I've been going to out there has turned into a "bait only" stop in my opinion.

Ahhh, now I'm thinking mussels and crusty bread. Anyone? So...obviously...no firm plans yet.

I'll post up my food list closer to the date, and I'd like to claim doing a dinner meal one night.

I intend to bring the following, which be be available for anyone when I'm not using them:
6qt Dutch oven
large sheet pan
small sheet pan
12" cast iron skillet
10" non stick skillet
2qt pot
griddle
chef's knife
cutting board
paring knife
spatula
tongs
OVEN THERMOMETER!
tin foil
salt & pepper

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

I'm thinking of a roast in the oven one night. Beef. Or I'll bring a potful of Tomatillo Pork Stew. It all depends on my time and access to my kitchen before leaving home (unsure of contractor schedule). I loved that I only had to reheat stuff last year (pork butt) - made for much less fuss at mealtime, since y'all know I can take 45 minutes to make a grilled cheese .

I'd also like to do a whole fish (salmon, snapper, etc) but I haven't found a good fish place on the way in yet (yes, I know we're at the coast at that point ). Post up if you'd me to to this and I'll do some more research. The place I've been going to out there has turned into a "bait only" stop in my opinion.

Ahhh, now I'm thinking mussels and crusty bread. Anyone? So...obviously...no firm plans yet.

I'll post up my food list closer to the date, and I'd like to claim doing a dinner meal one night.

I intend to bring the following, which be be available for anyone when I'm not using them:
6qt Dutch oven
large sheet pan
small sheet pan
12" cast iron skillet
10" non stick skillet
2qt pot
griddle
chef's knife
cutting board
paring knife
spatula
tongs
OVEN THERMOMETER!
tin foil
salt & pepper

I can pick up a decent fish here in Raleigh before heading your way. There is a good fish market near downtown - Earp's Seafood. I've picked-up a few things from them before.

I can always bring the big ass cooler and throw the fish in there before heading to the beach. Not sure how much I want the truck to smell like fish though.

 

[JohnVee]

FYI. I don't drink coffee. I don't bring anything to make coffee. @77 KROOZER usually has an old school percolator. Y'all might wanna discuss to make sure you're covered and not tripling up on stuff.

@Green Hell Mustang Yeah, there are some great places to get fish at home, but doesn't it seem wrong to bring an inland-purchased fish to an ocean island? Besides, this is Shandor's year to haul in a big drum - I have faith in him.

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

FYI. I don't drink coffee. I don't bring anything to make coffee. @77 KROOZER usually has an old school percolator. Y'all might wanna discuss to make sure you're covered and not tripling up on stuff.

@Green Hell Mustang Yeah, there are some great places to get fish at home, but doesn't it seem wrong to bring an inland-purchased fish to an ocean island? Besides, this is Shandor's year to haul in a big drum - I have faith in him.

Yup, it does seem wrong. Most of the fish my family bought when I was a kid (living in Virginia Beach) wasn't from the coast. Most of the fish, including the fish here in NC, goes inland. The better market is inland, not the coast. I agree though, it seems wrong to haul a fish back to the place it came from.

 

[izzyandsue]

@Izzyandsue You coming this year? Last minute decision again?

Not this year, I am heading in the opposite direction. And if I read the list of things you are bringing above, you are bringing your thong, and I can't live if I see that!

 

[DeeRex]

Shoot. I will call tomorrow and see about getting in. I'd like to get out there Thursday and maybe caravan with Alex or Sean.
Sunday afternoon won't bother me getting back late.

 

[77 KROOZER]

FYI. I don't drink coffee. I don't bring anything to make coffee. @77 KROOZER usually has an old school percolator. Y'all might wanna discuss to make sure you're covered and not tripling up on stuff.

@Green Hell Mustang Yeah, there are some great places to get fish at home, but doesn't it seem wrong to bring an inland-purchased fish to an ocean island? Besides, this is Shandor's year to haul in a big drum - I have faith in him.

No pressure JV... big drum this year for sure. I am even bringing one of those fancy rod holders like you had last year. Not sure how they work to help catch fish but having one will sure help me catch a buzz quicker since I can drink more while fishing.

Still not sure about the dinner plans, Marie is still out of town. Yes we'll have the old school percolator and enough coffee for 3 or 4 big brews. Anyone checked weather yet?

 

[lumbee1]

Shoot. I will call tomorrow and see about getting in. I'd like to get out there Thursday and maybe caravan with Alex or Sean.
Sunday afternoon won't bother me getting back late.

Yeah I gotta call as well. I forgot about the ferry appointments.

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

Shoot. I will call tomorrow and see about getting in. I'd like to get out there Thursday and maybe caravan with Alex or Sean.
Sunday afternoon won't bother me getting back late.

It would be great to caravan with you, @lumbee1, and @SeanLX . Let me know what time slot you get.

 

[lumbee1]

Hey @Green Hell Mustang, I'm good with that. I just called the Marina to make arrangements but she was busy and asked me to call back later. I will post what time slot I get.

BTW, I have GOOD firewood that Kenny borrowed from his BIL for Logan Run's. I plan on bringing my camp kitchen bin with camp stove, pour over coffee cup, wash bin, marshmallow sticks, utensils, cast iron pan, small pots, dish soap, and spices. For camping, we've typically made taco meat the night before and reheated it at the camp site for a quick meal. This might be a great lunch idea out on the beach. I am also bringing a tin of spam for emergency purposes.

 

[DeeRex]

I'm on the 3pm on the way over. Returning at 3:45 on Sunday.
I'm planning to be camping. But if a spot in cabin 16 opens, I'd like to slide in there.
Looking forward to it!
-D