I took a nice leisurely walk on the beach yesterday and found a couple more small treasures for the kids. The beach was beautiful and had a very limited amount of other humans out and about.

Before I retired for the evening, I sent some text messages to Erin giving her my expected timeline for my ride up to Kill Devil Hills. I am ready to spend some time with the family in such a special place on our planet.

This morning I found myself riding down Highway 12 to the ferry, which is the only road on this island after one has left the small town of Ocracoke. The golden hour did not disappoint and it offered some extraordinary views.

The road is so close to the ocean side that you can hear the waves crashing and smell the ocean’s salty water while enjoying the cool breeze found on a beach. Where there was a lack of natural sand dune barriers, the use of the largest sandbags I have ever seen are used to help protect the road from a rising ocean during inclement weather. After seeing the large sandbags, I did notice that perhaps some of the natural barriers were created with these large sandbags as a foundation because I could see a couple sandbag corners exposed underneath periodically.

I was kind of making myself laugh a little thinking of all the tears it would bring if some of my former colleagues were told they had to fill these sandbags. Maybe they would fill them with a combination of half sand and half tears.

I am kind of enjoying the whole ferry situation. I like the variety and extra planning it creates to make everything work out smoothly. Today was a smooth ride and one of the ferry workers claimed they could fit thirty vehicles on this ferry if they pack them in tightly. Yesterday there were over one hundred vehicles in line at noon.

The ferry offered an opportunity to see some dolphins out in front of our vessel. I was hoping they would play some in the wake of the ferry, no such luck today. They are majestic creatures and it was a privilege to see them on such a great morning.

As I was leaving the town of Hatteras, it was not long before a road cyclist passed me going the opposite direction. In no time at all Vince was pulling up beside me having turned around at the end of the road and headed back to Kitty Hawk. Yep that’s right, this incredible cyclist is in for an 160ish mile out and back ride and was smoking it. At this point heading east, the tailwind had us cruising and talking while riding about 20 mph.

He needed some water and I offered him mine, but he wanted to stop at the next store and fill up and maybe take a quick break. I gave him some of my secret power pellets and was honored to ride with this highly motivated cyclist. He reminded me of Joe and some of the neighborhood Coalition brothers I ride with sometimes. Just positive energy and a great passion for it all. It made my day to hang with him for a while.

Unfortunately, I missed him catching me again after his quick water stop since I decided to take the road down to see the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. My new buddy had told me it was wrapped in scaffolding and when I finally saw it trapped in this temporary cage, I just turned around and headed back.

Today was the most exposed ride of the trip as there was simply no shade to be found. I made sure to keep drinking and eating and definitely took more breaks today along the way.

The ride today was one of the most unique rides that I have experienced on all my trips. I liked to imagine a drone view looking down on top of me with water on both sides as I roll up the narrowest strip of land. It felt like a moment that I knew I would appreciate for a lifetime.

The winds were not as favorable once I headed north, but that is totally ok because there was no need to rush this moment. I wanted to take it all in no matter how hot and exposed I was to the elements.

I made it a couple minutes earlier than I had told Erin I would be at the hotel. Erin and the kids are not far behind and I have already showered and got a load of laundry going strong.

Well they just pulled up, time to hang out with the family and enjoy a day off tomorrow. We are so lucky!