Portsmouth Island Day 3
Sunday, a lazy day at the beach.
Before the sun showed a hint in the sky, I left the warmth of my sleeping bag to once again try my hand at catching some Red Drum at the south end cut.
As the sun brought the new day, the winds began to gain strength. The winds brought cooler weather. Some would say it was cold. After wearing out my casting arm trying to entice the Reds to bite and watching the sun rise, I set the fishing rod down and untied the kayak from the truck.
This past winter I purchased a new kayak, an ultimate kayak from Native Watercraft. I will be doing a complete product review in a few weeks. Here on the little island on the banks of North Carolina, I paddled her for the first time. Together we explored the back sound and even tempted the rushing currents of the out going tide through the cut out to the ocean.
Before this trip, I had planned to use the new boat to paddle sharks baits beyond the surf. But as often is the case when it comes to me and shark fishing, I was unable to collect the proper bait, and the surf remained too strong for my activities. Next time for sure.
Returning to camp as I cooked a late breakfast of steak and eggs, Ryan and Chris had begun to pack up. They were departing the island on the afternoon ferry. Al, Cindy and myself were staying another day.
The winds gained force and the air got colder.
I watched in awe as Ryan re-packed his Jeep and I still can not figure out the puzzle, but it all neatly fits. Chris’s gang was plum tuckered out and had retreated into his truck as he finished the final packing. A sign of a good time for the young girls, the beach had worn them out.
I travel alone much of the time, and while the solitude is often good for clearing the mind of clutter, I enjoyed sharing camp with Ryan, Al and Cindy and Chris’s family. I learned from them. Maybe I can improve my camp setup and maybe It does not need to be quite so barbaric. Maybe a camping trip can be just that without it being driven by some hook or bullet activity, Wait, I don’t know about that one, I’m going to have to think that over. I hope to be able to share a campfire with my new friends another time soon.
The winds got even stronger and the air even colder. A storm was brewing somewhere, would it hit us?
Al and Cindy had resorted to their truck reading and napping. I did the same. Remember the part about being on an island with the only way off being the ferry. We were here no matter what the weather, until tomorrow when the ferry would arrive to take us back to the mainland.
I made the best of it and dumped the extra fuel I was carrying in the truck’s fuel tank and went exploring the beach. Looking for photo opportunities along the way.
Notice the leg bands on the Oyster Catchers
Off the northern point of the island, a fisherman’s delight appeared. Off in the distance, hardly visible except through binoculars, birds fed among the rough surf off shore. Way beyond reach, I did not even attempt to fish. I sat out of the wind in the truck and watched the feeding frenzy.
Getting stuck on the island beach could mean real trouble if not careful
The winds made keeping a camping stove lit almost impossible, so I made a few sandwiches and ate dinner in the front seat of the truck and read a western novel. Rain began to fall as the sun reached the horizon. I retreated to the tent and continued to read as the tent danced against the heavy winds.
As it turned out, the major part of the storm stayed to our south and we were only lightly rained on over the night, but the winds continued to blow 30 MPH plus.
The Last Day
Morning came and the winds continued. I cooked the last of the bacon and eggs, with the stove tightly behind a wind block (the truck). Phone calls were made and the last of the island residents, all 7 of us in all, met to catch an early ferry. Instead of the planned 1:30 departure, we were set to depart at 11:45.
Return Ferry Trip
Some may question why someone would drive 8 hours and 380 miles each way for only 3 days on a remote island beach where there are no roads, stores, or much to do other than comb the beach, fish, read or just plan hang out. And I guess if you have to ask, than maybe the remoteness of such a place is not for you. But if you are looking to test your self-reliance, want to explore an island village from the 1800s, or just want to escape the daily grind for a few days, then Portsmouth island is perfect. did I mention that if you enjoy beach combing for shells, then the beaches of the Core banks is a must visit. Conk shells and plenty of other varieties were plentiful and for your taking.
I’ll be back for sure.
