Oregon Inlet Campground in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Our decision before leaving Flanner's Beach was, by land or by sea? There are two ferries and two bridges to cross over to the barrier islands of Cape Hatteras. Two years ago we left Ocracoke Island on the Cedar Point ferry, and twice traveled across the northernmost bridge. Greg was concerned about our low hanging tow assembly and scraping as we got on the ferry, so we elected to take a new land route.


We drove north from Flanner's Beach to New Bern, crossed the Neuse River, and drove north and then east along the peninsula that stretches into Pamlico Sound and to Roanoke Island. That route took us through marshy wildlife refuges, and we stopped for lunch within the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. We found a pull-off just before a small bridge and had the area to ourselves.

Lunch stop in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

 

No Gators visible even though their range extends this far north

 

We drove the long bridge across the sound over to Roanoke Island then the next bridge brought us to Nags Head. The national seashore is just south of there, where the development ends and the park begins. We drove the length of Bodie Island until we reached Oregon Inlet campground, just before the bridge to Hatteras Island, the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Rodanthe. The private park we stayed in the last two years is south of there in Waves. A nice park, but pricey to stay in. Our timing was good. We arrived on Friday afternoon, the first day for Oregon Inlet to open after the winter. We found a nice site with the dunes between us and the beach.
 

Campsite in the dunes of the Hatteras National Seashore

View of Bodie Lighthouse from the dune behind our campsite

Looking back at the campground from the dunes

No hook-ups here, a dump and potable water are across the main highway at the marina. There are cold showers here. When we get desperate we'll shower in the rig and take advantage of our hot water heater! We decided to stay nine nights since it costs us $10 a night with my senior pass. There is virtually no boondocking in the East, so we are taking advantage of the cheapest site we can find. But, $10 a night? Can't beat that to be on the backside of the dunes. We've got everything we need in the rig.


After parking and leveling we walked over the dunes to the beach. Not many people around and a lovely beach to walk. The brown pelicans have been flying overhead, there are ducks migrating, (although they appeared to be flying south), and other shorebirds scurrying in the waves. Arriving back at the rig we discovered the ground is littered with goatheads, those round thorns that we have encountered all over the country. They are invasives from the Middle East. We first encountered them in a campground in Marfa, Texas. They stick to your shoe soles, get transported inside and latch into the rugs. Since I am usually barefoot inside, I've got to find them all and rid our home of them! Picking them out of the rugs results in pricked fingers as well. So all shoes are staying outside after being carefully de-goatheaded.

Looking south along the beach

 

4-Wheel drive vehicles are permitted on National Seashore beaches

 

Big surf from the steady east wind

Various sandpiperish shorebirds

We have the same neighbors we had at Flanner's Beach. Today we noticed that they were walking their dog with duct tape on its feet to protect it from goatheads. Later they returned from shopping and the dog is sporting some sort of red booties. The campground is filling up with campers eager to enjoy the good weather on the first open weekend. Things should quiet down Sunday afternoon. We have a couple days of rain coming up and the temps should drop from the 70's into the 60's, but the sun will come out again, unless the forecast changes. You never know in the South in April. In the meantime, we have a nice long visit to enjoy the sounds of the surf and relax.

Goathead photo from USDA