Hello ONSC folks. I'd like to enlist some help/input on a last minute Outer Banks trip this weekend. My wife, 2 kids (2 1/2 yr and 9 months) and I have decided to take the long road to get from Northern VA to Myrtle Beach, SC. At first we were just going to take the wife's Outback but then remembering seeing the pics from your spring tide rides and figured we'd explore taking the 80 so we can ride along the beach as much as possible. We'll probably start the trip this Friday by driving to my sister in-law's in Norfolk and then continuing on to NC from there.
I'm just starting to look online for info but I figured I'd drop a line in here to get some input direct from the folks who've done it before. I'd like to travel the whole length of the Outer Banks if possible (and if the kids cooperate). I don't think camping is in the cards right now so commercial accommodations would be required along the way (is this feasible?). How long does it take to get from North to South? Do I have to deal with specific times for ferries to get from one island to the next or can we take our time and not be stranded at a dock over night because we missed the one and only 9am ferry? I know, based on the tide ride thread in here, there's certain permits to be had prior to getting on the beach now. Can those be obtained at the time of entry or do they need to be obtained ahead of time?
Unfortunately I don't know what I don't know so I won't be too offended if you tell me this is just a pipe dream but I'd like to pull it off if possible. All comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.
-Patrick
I'm just starting to look online for info but I figured I'd drop a line in here to get some input direct from the folks who've done it before. I'd like to travel the whole length of the Outer Banks if possible (and if the kids cooperate). I don't think camping is in the cards right now so commercial accommodations would be required along the way (is this feasible?). How long does it take to get from North to South? Do I have to deal with specific times for ferries to get from one island to the next or can we take our time and not be stranded at a dock over night because we missed the one and only 9am ferry? I know, based on the tide ride thread in here, there's certain permits to be had prior to getting on the beach now. Can those be obtained at the time of entry or do they need to be obtained ahead of time?
Unfortunately I don't know what I don't know so I won't be too offended if you tell me this is just a pipe dream but I'd like to pull it off if possible. All comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.
-Patrick
.
). Sunday we drove on the beach around Kitty Hawk but it was raining and the sand was soft and heavy. We drove the sand for about 7 miles before my AC couldn't keep up with the condensation and the wind shield fogged up. Plus the 9 month old started wailing so it was quite the stressful situation. I swear my transmission was going to give out then reach his hand from under the rig and slap me in the face for putting him through that. Thankfully we found a ramp and pulled off the beach and let all the nerves settle. Just something unnerving about riding on the beach with your wife and 2 young kids and no other people or trucks as far as you can see in either direction. After that we took it easy and went to the Wright brothers museum followed by the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island. Sunday night we stayed in Manteo. Monday morning we decided to skip Hatteras and drive on through to the ferry to Ocracoke. We did pick one ramp somewhere along the way to just take a look at the ocean and hang out for a few minutes. No way was I going to pay $50 for the privilege. That was the last beach driving we did. Monday and Tuesday night we stayed in Ocracoke right on Silver Lake in a cottage at the Captain's Landing. It was nice not having to unpack the truck and repack it 14 hours later. Wednesday we took the ferry to Cedar Island and headed South down the cost to Myrtle Beach. All said it was a great adventure. We had no real plan and no reserved accommodations but being that it was off season we didn't have a problem with this at all.
