Bob was busy taping and moving the ladders and scaffolding around. He also cleaned up the rub rail and ran out for lunch. It was so much nicer to be outside than inside cleaning. My back got a good dose of sun but it's not burnt. We got done about 3:30pm came home by separate cars and grabbed a cold drink. I think all told, we drank 5 bottles of water today. Bob got the shower first and I was waiting in line. He laughed at me and said, "you can't wait to get in here, can you?" I actually took a wash cloth and got my skin squeaky-clean. My body is so tired and I can hear Bob just fell asleep on the couch. Of course he was watching golf so it's perfectly understandable. We're going to the store to buy some good steaks, which we'll grill out with, baked potatoes and I'll make a green salad. Another good night's sleep awaits.
We drove about an hour to catch the first car-ferry to Ocracoke. It was a 2-½ hour ferry ride and really fun for me. I met some interesting people; one couple driving around on a big, sleek Honda motorcycle. We decided my car was smaller than their bike. Another girl just starting a real estate career. Once in Ocracoke, we drove off the ferry, got a cold drink and then headed for the Cape Hatteras ferry. This was only a 40-minute ride but they called for the car in front of me to be the last car until they took a look at the Mini. They motioned me forward and squeezed us into a tiny little space. The ferry guy motioned to me to roll down the window and he said, "I just had to see if it would fit." It was a great ride and once in Cape Hatteras, I couldn't wait to see the ocean. As we drove out of town, I could see the ocean on our right, over the hill but Bob told me to have patience. We drove to the actual point of Cape Hatteras,
saw the famous lighthouse and then went to the beach. I was too excited to change into a bathing suit but I did have the top on so I went right in with my shorts. Bob just watched. The ocean has quite a pull there and it took me quite awhile to work up the nerve to go in past my ankles. There were some kids on small surfboards and a few people swimming close in but nobody very far out. Once back at the car, I had to take everything off, dry off with one of Bob's dirty shirts and put on some dirty clothes. We then drove to Elizabeth City in northern NC and looked for a room. One thing we are quite surprised about is hotel prices. We used to love to stay at the Hampton Inn but now they're so expensive.
We stopped there first and it was $125 for the night. This is not a time-share, this is a night. The next place we tried was $95 a night and so here we are at a Days Inn. It's pretty disgusting. Next to the lamp something is squashed on the wall. It's big and unidentifiable. The bedspread is greasy. There are a dozen cigarette burns on the sink and the carpet is rather gross. All this for only $76. To the good, I had a long, steamy shower for a really long time. The sheets seem clean so I'm here and I'm going to stay here.
Tomorrow we are going to see Hampton, VA, where we left for Bermuda and Williamsburg. We will NOT be staying at a Days Inn tomorrow night. I'd rather just drive straight home than have to worry about turning on the light if I have to get up in the middle of the night, for fear of cockroaches. Yuk!
