You'll need prior reservations for the ferry ride from Ocracoke. The ferry ride is about 2½ hours across the Pamlico Sound. Cost is $10 at this writing. Call 1 800 BY FERRY, or visit www.ncferry.org for current schedules, fees and reservations. You need to claim your ferry reservations 1/2 hour prior to departure.

Day 1 - 150 miles

Start your tour from Southside Harley Davidson or swing up to old Cape Henry Lighthouse located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Stand near the spot where in 1607 Captain Newport raised a cross to offer thanks for their safe crossing of the Atlantic. The Lighthouse is open to the public on a seasonal schedule.

• From Southside, follow VA-190 Witchduck Rd. south to VA-165 Princess Ann Rd. Follow Princess Ann Rd (Rts. 165/149/615) to Knotts Island, NC.
• From Cape Henry follow Shore Drive (US 60) through the resort area picking up General Booth Blvd. (VA- 615) until you intersect with Princess Ann Rd. Turn left on to Princess Ann and follow VA-615 to Knotts Island, NC.
• Take the Currituck-Knotts Island ferry across the sound to Currituck and head south on NC-168 to US-158. Cross the Wright Memorial Bridge and look for NC-12 north to Corolla and the Currituck Sound lighthouse.
• Return South on NC-12 into Kitty Hawk to visit the Wright Brothers Memorial and home of the first manned flight. Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Whalebone offer many and varied options for food and lodging. While you're here, you may want to take a side trip to Roanoke Island, where the first English colony perished. The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo are also worth the time. If you're a risk taker (hey, you're a biker, right?) check out the hang gliding at Jockey's Ridge State Park.

Day 2 - 80 miles

Leave Whalebone early, there's a lot to see, and you'll want to save some time for the beach. As you head south on NC-12 you'll cross Oregon Inlet on to Bodie Island and make the trip to Bodie Island Lighthouse, which faces inland toward Pamlico Sound. Miles of pristine beach and barrier islands surround you as you continue south on NC 12 towards Cape Hatteras and the Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest and probably the most famous lighthouse in the United States. While it's been a fixture on the Carolina coast since 1870, engineers determined it was in jeopardy from the encroaching sea, and in 1999, moved it 2900 feet inland to a safe position. The move itself was an engineering miracle, and the story is well told at the site. From the Hatteras Light take the Ocracoke/Hatteras Ferry, a 40 minute ride that leaves usually on the hour and half-hour. Make the short journey south and ride in to Ocracoke.

The quaint village of Ocracoke, on the island's southern Soundside, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 and includes the 1823 Ocracoke Lighthouse as well as several historic commercial buildings and over 100 homes. The British Cemetery, the Banker Ponies and dozens of unique shops provide the visitor with an interesting pastime. Shops, history, beaches, water sports of all types await you. If you have to wait for your ferry ride, this would be the location to do it in.

Day 3 - 145 miles + 2.5 hour ferry ride

By now you have realized that you need reservations to ride the ferries back to the mainland. The most direct route is through Swan Quarter. If you would like to extend your riding day by another 3 hours, take the ferry to Cedar Island and follow US-70 to US-17 and return to Virginia Beach.

From Ocracoke, take the Swan Quarter ferry across Pamlico Sound. Head north on Swan Quarter — Ocracoke. Head north on Swan Quarter - Continue straight 0.4 mi. Turn left at Oyster Creek St. Turn right at Main St. Turn left at Swindell Forest Rd. Turn right at US-264 E. Turn left at N Carolina 94 N, Continue onto N Carolina 32 N. Turn right at N Carolina 37 N/Ocean Hwy S/US-17 N. Follow US-17 business into Elisabeth City. Follow Ehringhaus St. to Water St. and make your way to the waterfront for a mid-day break. Head north on Water St., left on Elizabeth St and right onto N Rd St/US-158 W/US-17 N. Continue to follow US-17 N. Merge onto I-64 W via the ramp to VA Beach. Take exit 284B to merge onto I-264 E toward VA Beach. Take exit 16 for Witchduck Rd.

Optional Day 4 — 270 miles. Add a Lighthouse - Add a day

Cape Lookout Lighthouse is a 163-foot high lighthouse located on the Southern most tip of Cape Lookout National Seashore. The first lighthouse at Cape Lookout was completed and lighted in 1812. The Cape Lookout Light is one of the very few lighthouses that operate during the day. It is the second lighthouse that has stood at this location, and is nearly identical to the Bodie Island Lighthouse modeled after it, which has horizontal stripes.

Take the Cedar Island Ferry from Ocracoke. Travel south on NC-12, turn west on US-70. Two miles past Smyrna turn left at Harkers Island Rd, Continue onto Island Rd to the ferry landing. Rates vary ($10 to $16 per adult, reduced for children) with the individual ferry service. Standard size vehicles run about $75 - $80 per vehicle. Small utility vehicles and ATVs cost less. Return to US-70 west. Stop in Beaufort or Morehead City lunch, dinner and/or lodging. Follow US-70 to US-17 north and return to Virginia Beach. There are several optional routes you can take to return that will take you through the swamps, over rivers and lakes and even a few more free ferries.