Well, we had planned on chartering the Godspeed, and finally having our deep sea fishing experience (complete with seasick patches), but it was canceled early in the morning due to 6-foot waves. One of these days we will do this! Captain Dave has been absolutely wonderful, though, watching out for us and giving us great advice as he knows some of us…… ahem…. ME especially, gets seasick.
So out of nowhere, Dean decides we are going to get into a teeny tiny little metal box, and fly over Hatteras and Ocracoke.
My kids have never flown, and well, we all know I hate to fly. But I’m going to suck it up in the name of fun, and deal with this, right?
I’m happy to report, I made it through - but I know deep down inside the only reason I didn’t freak out once we were up in the air was because I was trying to remain sane for my little girl sitting next to me, and I did have a need to photograph this, as it may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I was very surprised, as I have never done any sort of aerial photography, that depending on the direction of the sun was how vibrant the images turned out.
This is the plane we were in…
If you haven’t been to Cape Hatteras, it may surprise you that there is one road right in the center of the island, and there are places that while you are driving, you can see the Pamlico Sound on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other at the same time. It definitely makes you feel quite vulnerable, and no, I wouldn’t want to be there during a hurricane.
This is where we usually drive our cars onto the beach and swim/fish - no lifeguards. It can be a little scary at times depending on the rip currents.
The Southern end of Cape Hatteras
Beach Houses
This is the Northern tip of Ocracoke. Notice how the waters of the Sound and the Ocean swirl around together. When we were in the Godspeed last year (when the seasickness nightmare began), crossing where the two bodies of water met was a pretty incredible experience with 6-10 foot waves 
It makes you really appreciate the power of nature.
Up top of this image is where the Ocracoke ferry brings you in. This is the one road on Ocracoke that takes you to civilization (and the famous Howard’s Pub of course…).
Sound side. The Pamlico Sound is at the bottom of this image, ocean at the top
I think this is the Frisco Pier. I don’t remember what the pilot said at this moment in his comforting and mellow voice as right about here, we hit some (in my opinion MAJOR) turbulance that made us drop (i.e. free fall) about 3 feet. At this point is when my motion sickness started. Erynn decided this was the metal trap of death at this very moment.
Hatteras Lighthouse… Pilot said, “I’m going to circle around the lighthouse again” and my mind was screaming PLEASE DON’T as we were practically sideways in the air…
Landing… *whew*
