Figs and Fun

Well the island is buzzing with figs and fun. Ocracoke has fig trees everywhere and many are just starting to get ripe. I’ve heard there are five different varieties on the island – the brown fig being the most abundant. It seems like these are the ones that are starting to ripen now with the others soon to follow. Now I am no fig expert – but I used to be a fig jam and fig cake aficionado and still would be if I wasn’t in the spirit time of my life. Ocracoke is one of the best places to be if you like figs. Some of the residents have been making fig delights for years – some for over half a century and they know their way around a fig tree – so to speak.

Check out some of the smaller stores owned by some of the older folks and you will find some fine homemade fig treats. The Fish house has some good looking fig cake that gets great reviews. As more come to season, the restaurants will be featuring fig desserts. I’ve even noticed some fig trees for sale at the OPS museum and other shops – so if you live in a southern climate you can take a tree home and start your own fig traditions.

You just can’t find much more fun that there is on this island. It is fun for me just to listen to the folks talk about what a great time they are having on vacation. Kayaking, parasailing, surfing, bike riding, strolling around the village, shelling after a rain storm, going to Portsmouth Island (a close by deserted island – more on that another time), paddle boarding, swimming, boating, or just relaxing and reading a good book. There are wonderful shops – locally owned with all kind of treasures. When I lived here, there were only a couple restaurants so we mainly ate at home – but now Ocracoke has some of the finest restaurants in NC. They always serve fresh fish – and I mean caught that day by local fishermen. We are talking some fine, fine eating.

And music everywhere. My hardest decision some days is which place am I gonna go by to hear a few tunes. The ladies that work the desk at the Castle keep a list of whose playing where so they can always help you if you have questions. I’ve enjoyed The Fish House Five this week and looking forward to a young lady named Katy Mitchell also from here. Ocracoke even has a small theater with music a few nights a week and yoga classes in the mornings. There are horse carriage rides, ghost walks, story telling, and porch talks. Well, I’ve about wore myself out just thinking of all the possibilities for today – so I’m going to start with checking out the beach, taking a scud around town (for those who aren’t familiar with Ocracokese …. that means cruising round seeing what is happening) and back to smell the fresh baked cookies at the Castle in the afternoon. At least a spirit can smell and remember ….

So hope you are planning your visit. It is always a fun time at the Castle with lots of great folks. Lots of new friendships are formed, many laughs are had, and some great breakfasts are enjoyed. Come visit and join the fun and the figs.

SOSJ (Spirit of Sam Jones)