There be Pirates Ashore

    One would have thought they had stepped onto Ocreacoke Island in the 1700s yesterday.  There were more people dressed in period clothing than regular clothes or it seemed that way.  Pirates were everywhere.  Just across from the park service docks was a pirate encampment with tents and people doing demonstrations.  They even roasted a hog, which smelled pretty darn good.  Luckily the weather was beautiful.   Sunny but not hot with light winds.  Pengi was just beside himself with anticipation.  He insisted on having his picture taken in front of Blackbeard's ship the Adventure.

    The big event of the day was the reenactment of Blackbeard's final battle.  As many of you that know me well are aware, Admiral Gail does not do explosions and gun fire any better than an old chocolate lab. So before all the noise started I headed out of town on my bike to the beach.  The weather was great for a little beach time so no loss.  Pengi offered to take pictures but his flippers make it hard for him to manage the camera, so Capt. Keith did the honors.  Thanks Capt. Keith.
    There were 3 ships in Silver Lake.  Two of the ships were hired by Virginia Gov. Spottswood and commanded by Robert Maynard carrying Royal Navy men.  The third ship was Blackbeard's ship, the Adventure.  They did a great job.  With canons blazing they dispensed with the pirate and saved the day.
 
And here are the two Royal Navy ships in the harbor.

Blackbeard's ship the Adventure.

Blackbeard himself standing in the center of the Adventure.

 
 Here are the Royal Navy men marching home from their ship with Blackbeard's Head in tow.


 While the Royal Navy was dispensing with Blackbeard, I took to the beach just north of the little Ocracoke airport.  I had some luck finding treasure.  Just walking the beach I found two  perfect Scotch Bonnets, a difficult to find shell which Keith and I have never found intact anywhere other than the remote island of Portsmouth, just south of Ocracoke.  These are the Scotch Bonnets I found.  Pengi is guarding them from pirates.

 
Weather the next two days looks bad.  Rain on and off today with winds building.  Wind could get up to 30-40 knots tomorrow.  We are staying here in Ocracoke until the weather improves which is supposed to be Tuesday, then heading out for more adventures.  Check in Monday for some Ocracoke ghost stories.  I thought these would be appropriate for the upcoming Halloween holiday.