Day 3 – Ferries ‘n Pirates

No, not fairies…ferries. Today we would be ridin out to Cedar Island…only ‘bout 70 miles…and takin the 3-hour ferry ride over to Ocracoke Island at the southern end of the Outer Banks…where we would be spendin the night at Black Beard’s Lodge. At 8 o’clock sharp…our agreed upon departure time…we’re all packed, saddled, and ready to ride. Since this is Dog’s stompin grounds, he’s leadin the way this morn, and takes us thru the heart of New Bern to a nice li’l café for breakfast. New Bern is a really nice little village of a town, and the home of Pepsi Cola. We had a tasty breakfast, and were soon back on US-70 east makin tracks towards the Cedar Island Ferry. We had a very pleasant ride on out to the end of the world…hey, that’s what it looks like out there…and arrived early enough to hang out in the boardin area and meet a few other folks waitin to catch a boat.

I’m sad to announce, however, that we failed miserably as so-called bikers…as not a single one of us thought to pack a single beer for the 3-hour ferry crossin…and didn’t wanna chance missin the ferry for a mere beer run. Wait a minute…did I say “mere” beer run? Well, have no fear…CK’s here! Yep, my li’l CK proved her ride worthyness by befriendin a couple from British Columbia in the camper next to us while we were waitin on our boat…and guess what…yeah buddy, they had a cooler fulla of beer in that thar camper! They were a right nice couple, and invited us to come find ‘em on the ferry once we were all aboard. After just a short wait, the boat arrives and we all make our way onboard and were guided to bike parkin right along the port gunnel…that’s the outside rail on the left side of the ship to all you landlubbers. Impressed with my knowledge of nautical terms? Don’t’ be…I had to look ‘em up. Just as we’re rollin onto the ferry, ‘nuther group of riders pull up behind us and join us against the rail. Looked like we were havin a floatin rally or sumthin.

Anyways, after makin sure the scoot was secured…and minglin with a few folks for a few minutes…I realize that I have lost CK. So, I go in search of my li’l sweetie, hopin she hasn’t fallen overboard. Have I mentioned she’s a little accident prone? Luckily, I remember our friends from BC, and just take the easier route and look for their camper. Sure ‘nuf, there’s my li’l CK and a couple other of our gals hangin out at the Canadian Bar…bummin brews. After remindin CK to be polite and not drink all their brews, the Canuks show me a sign they had made and put up in the window waitin for CK to show up. The sign? It read, “Bar Open”. I told ya they was some nice folks…and they definitely knew how to get our attention. hehe After a couple beers with our new friends…and wishin ‘em well on their tour of The States…we wander up top and find the rest of the gang enjoyin the views from the upper deck. It was on this crossin that Cuz surprised Muthuh with a handcrafted wooden humidor type box for his ceegars…I’m thinkin as a thank you for all the trails he’s led him down. Turns out Ole Cuz is a right talented woodworker ‘cause that was one handsome humidor…sorry, I didn’t get any pics.

After an uneventful, but very nice ferry crossin, we disembark and go in search of tonights accomodations…Black Beard’s Lodge. Arrrghhh ye mateys, we’ll be havin a right good time tonight, aye. Dog continues his Road Cap’n duties, and leads us to Black Beards where we have no probs gettin checked in. You’ll understand why I make that statement when ya read tomorrow’s journal. After gettin checked in, unpacked, and rested up a little, we head out for a bite to eat. Can’t remember the place we settled on…and didn’t get any pics…but I do recall us havin a good time on their outdoor dining deck as we watched Muthuh repeatedly set his camera up for timer group shots so he could get in ‘em…only to figger out he pushed the wrong button…three times! hehe Good thing Black Beards is just a couple blocks away.

After dinner, we head back to the Lodge, and settle in for a night ‘round the fire. They didn’t have a firepit on the grounds, so we improvised and converted a kettle grill, gathered up most every chair they had, pulled up a picnic table, and proceeded to annoy the neighbors well into the night. For any of the unenlightened readin these pages…yeah, we’re the bikers ya complain ‘bout havin all that fun outside long after you’ve tucked yer safe ‘n sound little world in for the night. Your loss! Speakin of tuckin in for the night…I coulda sworn ole Cuz was a registered guest ‘n all…but for some reason, I kept seein him sneakin in the back winder. hehe Just jokin…he’s a lazy puke and has Loosie holed up in the room handin him shit thru the window to avoid those few extry steps ‘round to the door. Did I mention he calls his place in South Carolina the Lazy S? Now we know why, aye. Anyways, with seven bikes and eleven people on this ride, there was a right good party goin on well into the night…some imbibin a li’l heavier than others…sooooo, I think CK ‘n I were the first to crash.

We drag oursel…no wait…we help each oth…no…ok, I think someone helped us up outta our chairs, and we made our way to the room. Go ahead and take those BC powders…we’ll meet ya out front for our putt along the beach.