Nags Head Day 2

 

Thursday May 4, 2023

Got up early to photograph the sunrise.  Not as exquisite as I had imagined but nice - then back to sleep for a bit.  

Bright sunshine greeted us on the second waking – so we enjoyed sunning on our porch, then ventured down to the beach for a little bit more sunshine.  The tide was going out and Jane was hoping the sand would be hard but it was not hard enough for walking at all.  We enjoyed watching the flocks of sandpipers running from the waves and catching something from the sand and surf.  

Holiday Inn Express from Ocean

Ben - I tried walking but too soft for my back

For lunch we drove to Wanchese searching for a place to buy seafood tomorrow to take home.  Wanchese is back across the bridge to Manteo and then south 4 miles.  Signs everywhere “Save our Village – Stop Cluster Homes”.  Evidently, they wish to remain a small fishing village.  The village has homes, fishing harbor, and boat building or repair facilities, two restaurants, a few churches, a school, a day care center, and one place that looked like it might sell souvenirs but it was not open.  We found O’Neals Sea Harvest where we had a super excellent lunch.  Ben had Soft shell crab basket with macaroni salad and slaw.  Jane had Red Drum Fish basket with slaw and pickled beets.  The best seafood so far on this trip.  We checked out the fresh seafood to purchase and planned our visit back tomorrow as we head west to Durham and home.

Signs in every yard

Red Drum, slaw, and pickled beets

Soft Shell Crab, Slaw, and Macaroni Salad

So we won't forget 

A bit of looking around and then we headed back to the hotel for rest, showers, and to get ready for more food.  We planned to leave early for dinner at Blue Moon which is very popular in their new location only ½ mile from our hotel.  We found a parking spot and walked right in at 5 PM.  There were a few empty tables but not many – this place is popular.  Jane had already selected what she wanted trying something new again - bouillabaisse – and Ben settled for one of the specials of the day – a fried seafood platter with fish, oysters, and shrimp.  The bouillabaisse was good – the broth excellent and the scallops, shrimp, fish, calamari, clams and mussels were all good.  There was a small purple octopus that was not very tasty.  Ben was OK with his selection but it was not his favorite.  The presentation was exceptional, and everyone seemed to be enjoying their food.  We would go back but might try different dishes. 

Seafood Platter

Bouillabaisse

Back in our room we tried to begin gathering our clothes and electronics for leaving in the morning.  The breakfasts here at the Holiday Inn Express were very good – several hot items each day, waffle machine, plus lots of cold things – yogurt, boiled eggs, cereals, lots of muffins, toast etc., and of course their signature cinnamon rolls.  Afraid Jane’s diet of recent weeks failed for these breakfasts!  All in all, we liked this hotel better than the Comfort Inn we have stayed in on past visits to Nags Head.