We have always driven a van while hauling our pull trailer.  After a trip west and across the Rocky Mountains, my husband decided that it was time for a truck that could take the beating that we give vehicles on our travels.  So upgrade we did.  Not only did it solve hauling issues, but having a truck allowed us to participate in a form of RVing that we could not before – OFF ROAD VECHICLE DRIVING! 

Off road vehicle options opened up a whole new world to us.  Because we love the ocean, one of our favorite places to off road is the Cape Hatteras National Seashore located in Outer Banks in N.C.  Cape Hatteras National Seashore was the first established seashore.  It extends more than 70 miles from the South Nags Head to Ocracoke Inlet and covers 30,000 areas.  The seashore is home to unspoiled beaches, Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, lighthouses, and over 400 species of birds.   Check the website “The Outer Banks of North Carolina” – www.outerbanks.org for more information.

We camp at a place called “Sands of Time”, which is a wonderful campground with a friendly staff.  The Sands of Time camp ground is located in Waves, N.C. and is open to the public.  They do except Pass Port America members at a discount, which made it $20.00 plus electricity per night for camping.  They offer full hook up of electric, water, sewage and cable T.V.  You can also purchase WIFI time from a service provider ( $25.00 for seven days).  Everything we needed to keep our cats and ourselves comfortable.  They do not have a swimming pool, but access to a beach is just minutes away via driving.   

Once landed and camp is set up, we get ready for our off road adventures.  We deflated our tires (deflate each tire to 20 lbs), packed the picnic basket, grill, chairs, blankets, portable picnic table and drove to a spot that seemed like we owned the beach with very few others around.  I can’t describe the peace and pleasure that we all get while out there watching and playing in the sea!

We are still novices, but here are a few of the important tips we learned from others that have been doing this a LONG time.

1.       If you don’t have a four wheel vehicle – don’t do this!!! You WILL get stuck and if no one can get you out there is a $200.00 towing fee from the few places that do tow.

2.       Do put your vehicle into 4 wheel drive.

3.       Deflate your tires to 20 lbs weight.

4.       Don’t drive on soft sand.  It can look lose and fluffy.  It can look like white snow.  But if you drive into it, you will get stuck!  The beaches often get softer if there has not been any rain for awhile, so watch where you are driving.

5.       Don’t drive on “orange” or “red” sand.   These are really beds of shells.  You will sink and you can’t get traction.

6.       DO drive in the tire paths that are already there.  These tracks are harder and you will not sink.

7.        Don’t park below the wreck line.  The wreck line is the line of seaweed and debris from the last high tide.  Time passes fast out there and you don’t want your vehicle to suddenly become surrounded by sea water as the tide starts to come back into shore. 

8.       When you find the spot that you want to park at, back toward the water.  Then pull forward and backwards a few times to pack the sand under your tires.

9.       Angle your vehicle so that you can pull forward gradually from the water when you park.   Going straight and making a sharp turn may cause you to get stuck in the sand.

Be safe and have fun.  Remember to carry out any trash you create along with any you see.  Let’s try to keep the Cape Hatteras National Seashore a treasure that we can pass down to many generations!

Sands of Time Camp ground – with Pass Port American membership $20.00 per night plus electric use.

A day at the beach  - Cape Hatteras National Seashore located in Outer Banks in N.C.

-          Parking  = FREE

-          Packed picnic lunch for three = FREE

-          Swimming and enjoying the ocean and sun = FREE

-          Fishing requires a license – check www.outerbanks.org for current prices.

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