This is the Ocracoke beach camping trip code. To construct the code sequence representing your vacation on Ocracoke, write down code sequences for each quality of the trip, separating each code sequence with a space (or newline at the end of a line).

You may want to explain part of a code sequence, if so put a short explaination (of one or two words) in parentheses immediatly after the part of the code it is qualifiying, with no extra whitespace.

If the trip had multiple distinct parts, you can indicate this by writing down the main letter for the code and then describing the individual parts, separated by a slash (/).

Some sections of the code involve rating things with plusses or minuses; here is a general scale:

  • -- - Abysmal.
  • - - Below average.
  • ++ - Average.
  • +++ - Excellent.
  • ++++ - Special.

Sample code:

OBX1.1 P1/7 L7 SA5s++b++c+++/A17d++b-c-- U4(setup alone,Kai,Daddy swims)
T6f2-b0 R1w Bn-b++m++ F++u++ SC++s++g1 H+++f2i5 V+++ E+++r++
  • OBX1.1 - This indicates the beginning of an Ocracoke code block and gives the version number.
  • P - Number of people. Follow with number of people in party.
  • L - Length of trip. Follow with number of days.

  • S - Site number. Following the number can be a letter code describing the site's location:

    • d - Dune site.
    • b - Too near bathrooms.
    • s - Too near showers.
    • bk - At back of campground.

    The overall quality of the site is indicated with plusses/minuses after the number.

    The burr and cactus level of the site can be indicated with a b (for burrs) and a c (cactus), followed by the same plusses/minuses.

  • U - Uniqueness factor of trip. Count up things that are unique about the trip and write down the number.

  • T - Tradition factor. Count up the approximate number of Ocracoke traditions that were done again this year and write down the number.

    • f - Success at feeding the ranger. Count up number of times fed and write down number. Write a minus for each failure too.
    • b - Number of ranger badges obtained.

  • R - Rain factor. Count up number of days of rain and write down the number. Can also be followed with letter codes describing the weather:

    • h - Left due to hurricane.
    • t - Tent destroyed.
    • c - Slept in car.
    • T - Thunderstorms.
    • d - Dry as a bone.
    • s - Too cold to swim.
    • w - Lots of wind.

  • B - Bug factor. Rate the number/ferocity of biting flies (b), mosquitoes (m) and no-see-ums (n) with plusses/minuses. More are "better".

  • F - Food factor. Rate the quality/quantity of food.

    • u - Food uniqueness subfactor. Was the food consumed the same meals as always (which is average), or new and special or a new restaurant, etc? Rate it.

  • SC - Sociability factor. Were new friends made, or did we just hang out in the usual group (the average)? Rate it.

    • s - Solitude sub-factor. Was there time for quiet walks on the beach, space for swimming alone, etc? Rate it.
    • g - Games sub-factor. Approximate number of card, board, etc games played.

  • H - Heat factor. Rate the average heat level of the trip. (Hotter is better.)

    • f - Number of ferrys taken to escape the heat.
    • i - Approximate number of 10 lb bags of ice melted per day.

  • V - View factor. How pleasant was the scenery this time around.

    • s - How good was the stargazing? See the Milky Way?
    • m - Number of meteors seen.

  • E - Overall enjoyment of trip.

    • r - Relaxation subfactor. How relaxed will you be coming back? Or will you need a vacation from the vacation?

This page is in a wiki so feel free to edit it to add codes necessary to describe your camping trip to Ocracoke.

TODO

  • Description of examples of various ratings, all levels
  • Nostalgia factor
  • Bug: Sb indicates back of campground but also burr factor.

Years