THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 4, 1995 TAG: 9507010043
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Mom, I'm Bored
SOURCE: Sherrie Boyer
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
IF THE WORLD'S most beautiful moments for breakfast are limited, then I am grateful to have paused for one.
By the lapping waters of the Currituck Sound in North Carolina, there is a bit of grass, a picnic table under an awning, a blooming gardenia bush and a picket fence bordering the rocky edge of the sound.
It is a small place, but it was perfect one morning last week as two friends, eight children and I stopped for grapes and muffins.
We were on an all-day adventure - a ferry ride, a visit to a wildlife refuge, peach picking and the beach. Breakfast on the sound wasn't planned, but the scent of gardenia and the sea made it special.
We talked about the water, the boat (it crosses - free - from Currituck to Knotts Island) and pulled on clothes (the children were still in pajamas). When the gate swung up, the children piled into cars and we drove onto the boat. It was the best part of 2-year-old Sam's day.
We waved goodbye to North Carolina and explored the boat.
On each side of the main level, we found air-conditioned cabins and rest rooms. The children scattered toys and played.
Just before the boat motor slowed, signaling time to climb back into cars, we watched from on deck as we floated past one of the beacons. Perched on top, was an osprey nest with two babies.
From the ferry, we drove just a few minutes to Martin's Peaches. We found the ripe fruit hanging from the trees in clusters of fuzzy, reddish gold balls.
A ripe peach will fall into your hand almost as you touch it, the skin peeling back so the juicy meat inside drips onto your fingertips. As you walk, overripe peaches squish into your shoes, soaking the canvas. Later, at home on the porch, the ants will find a haven in the seams.
We taught the children to gently grasp a peach, giving it a half-twist from the wrist. If the peach snapped from the branch, it was ripe. If it clung, maybe it should stay. And if it was green, it was still too young.
We left with too few. A couple of miles up the road, we found ourselves crawling along the highway, watching closely for egrets, hawks and other hallmarks of the MacKay Island National Wildlife Refuge. We found all of these - including a turtle in the middle of the road that yanked in his head as we passed.
Forty minutes later, we were at Little Island, the marvelous beach south of Sandbridge. We played before stormy waves for the afternoon before finally heading home.
If you do all of these adventures together, plan on a day. It took us 50 minutes to reach the Currituck Sound Ferry, but plan on 70 to 90 minutes with traffic. This ferry is punctual.
To get there: Take Interstate 64 to Route 168 South and follow signs for Nags Head. At the North Carolina border, you're in Currituck County; the town is about 12 miles farther. You'll see a sign pointing left to the ferry. Park in one of the numbered spaces (if you're early) and enjoy the view.
The 40-minute crossing is free, and the boat can hold up to 18 cars. Year-round departures from Currituck are at 6, 9 and 11 a.m. and 1, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. From Knotts Island to Currituck, departures are at 7 and 10 a.m., noon, and 2, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Call (800) 293-3779.
From the dock on Knotts Island (not really an island), follow the road. At the junction, make a left. After a mile or two, the sign for Martin's Peaches is on the right, just after the school. Peaches are $8 a basket or $15 a bushel. Call 429-3564.
From Martin's, take a right and follow Route 615 (Princess Anne Road) north. You'll drive through the MacKay Refuge, a gorgeous stretch of cypress, marsh grass and fishing waters.
To find Little Island beach, take a right on Sandbridge Road (about 30 minutes from Martin's), then a right on Sandpiper Road at the beach. Follow the signs. Parking is $3 on weekdays and $4 on weekends. by CNB