The light

Hatteras light was something we wanted to see and climb.   I want to go up into as many light houses as I can before the old knee gets to bad.   This would only have been my 5th and we couldn't do it because of this.

can barely read it except that road closed and authorized vehicles only.     We weren't in a vehicle and neither was anyone else so no problem on foot for many of us,  we walked around it to get through.

 

so along the way

 

we saw pretty berries, wish I knew what they were called

and these that look like acorns

but the tree or bush rather is not an oak

the Leopard frogs were very vocal,  someone told us that they sing because the rain has stopped and they are happy,  must be because they had one heck of a chorus going on

 

on to the light which was a good walk, my knee is still feeling it.

 

Glad for my visit to the light in the late 80's  in it's original location.   Was such a pretty site to see next to the ocean with waves beating the shore.
To bad it had to be  moved but sadly the ocean would have eventually claimed it.   Was by no means any small feat to move this giant.  

Good story and pictures  of the U 701- here also shows a pic of  one underneath the ocean in Hatteras.   I remember seeing in the museum here a time ago relics from the U boat that invaded Hatteras shores, silver ware, dinner ware among other items were on display

 

 

 

the door is metal, I had to walk up to touch it.
 

To the beach

Steve and I took a trip to the beach in N.C.  this past week.   First stop - Nags Head Ramada Inn.  The wind was strong and the waves were crashing to the shore which meant for a great night sleep for me.

I didn't get the full front of hotel, to interested in this little fountain I guess

pretty waterfall in lobby

comfy room with  a great view

The sound is so relaxing for me , didn't have to open the doors to hear it either

 

click here for quick video of waves

 

 

Then on our way to Hatteras

Rainy and windy

through the dunes and rain

 

 

making our way

 

 

 

 

 we climbed the tower inside to take a look over the area

 

sort of reminiscent of lighthouse steps to the top

you can see where the water came up in driveways , a visit to the beach from here means having to tredge through the water

In the distance you can see the waves

 

the gentleman at the hotel told us that about 7 in. of rain fell in about 5 1/2 hours,  total of 14 inches in all

 

Another Motel we stayed in was right on the beach and we did like that much better

Love Hatteras as it is unspoiled still and I hope it stays this way for a great while , no fast food chains.  Great local food places to eat with plenty of fresh seafood, gotta support the local fisherman.    I would rather be here where it's more laid back and a slower pace.    The locals are friendly and welcoming.

Hope it never changes, not many places like this left.  I guess as long as people like me realize it and if decide to locate here,  don't bring anything but yourself to the island,  don't try to change it and accept it as it is - Beautiful!

 

this is the hotel the next couple nights.

 

Saturday morning after the rainy weather

 

view of rockers outside of window

 

 

view from our door

 sitting on the porch in the late evening with a tea was so relaxing

 

shells in the sand

some of my keepers,  the large ones I will drill holes through for a necklace

 

he didn't mind his picture taken

 

time for toes in the sand

til next time

Betsy

Currituck Light

Located on the outer banks in Corolla N.C. is

Currituck beach lighthouse , a first order lighthouse and  with that means  it has the largest of seven Fresnel lens sizes.   Light can be seen for 18 nautical miles,   with it's 20 second flash cycle it is on for 3 secs. and off for 17 seconds.
Exterior is left unpainted which distinguishes it from others in the region and gives a sense of just how many bricks it took to construct it which is about one million.

 

 

 

It's position is 34 miles south of (Virginia) cape Henry light house and

32 1/2 miles north , north west of Bodie island lighthouse

 

 Last major light built on North Carolina coast

 

walk from keepers house to light

The thickness of wall at it's base is 5 feet 8 inches

214 steps up 

 

 

 

 

 

 

out to take  a look from the top 

 

breezy and beautiful

Thickness of wall at the parapet is 3 feet

 

still an aid to navigation the light is on automatically every evening at dusk and off at dawn

 

Original source of light was a mineral oil lamp with five wicks, one being the largest of 4 inches in diameter

 

going down

 

Light keepers  house is a  stick style Victorian dwelling

In 1876 when completed , two keepers and family shared the house.

After automation in 1939 the keepers were removed as there was  no need for wick trimming , cleaning lenses etc.

 

 

Historic buildings on the grounds have been repaired such as outhouse and two hole privy

 

 

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Inside the keepers home

 

pretty fireplace

portraits and desk of family and keepers

 

 

Inside is  a  gift shop with this pretty stained glass I wanted but not this time

more info about the area and lighthouse at   - currituck beach lighthouse .com

 

 

 

 

I am sharing with the  tablescaper  - Oh the places I've been