Sunday Antics

Pete and I decided to search for Devil's Dice and pick some apples this past Sunday.
Devil's Dice are perfectly cubed formations that are found at a local park. They can be as tiny as a grain of sand or several inches in diameter. Here is one description of these interesting minerals: "They used to be cubic pyrite but after a few quadrillion years (give or take a couple of weeks) they have pseudomorphed into limonite." Then we went to Carter Mountain Orchard to pick some apples. Jonagolds to be exact, and then made some great Apple Crisp that challenges my Aunt Becky and my Apple Dumplings of 2 years ago. Yummy!

Vacation to North Carolina Outer Banks

Pete and I took a week long vacation to Ocracoke Island, NC this past week. We had originally booked a beach house in Avon, NC though Outer Beaches Realty, but after the hurricane rolled through, no one was able to get onto Hatteras Island. At that time, we were unable to receive a refund and unable to get onto the island to use our rental, so we were out our $550 rental with nothing to show for it. So, we waited and then booked a place on Ocracoke Island, NC. It was very quiet as the island had just opened, so we were two of only a few tourists on the island. On Thursday, they opened Hatteras Island up to Avon only so we hopped on that ferry and made them give us our rental for the night allowing us to spend 2 days on the island. More expensive than we wanted, but still gained a sense of satisfaction from at least making them do the work they would have done anyway if we were able to stay on Hatteras Island all week.

Our adventuremobile on the ferry headed out to Ocracoke Island


Finally arriving to Ocracoke Island



Kayaking to Pelican Island via the Hatteras Inlet and Pamlico Sound


Pelican Island


Pete and the Ferry - staying out of the channel was our goal

Ghost Crab at night

Moon Jellyfish - Same buggers that stung Pete and I two days later - migrated from the sound to the ocean

Ocracoke Lighthouse


Ocracoke Lighthouse looking up


Sunset at Springer's Point - the area of land that Blackbeard is thought to have had his final rendevous before beheaded by Lt. Robert Maynard

Sunset with sailboat cruise in corner

On the ferry from Ocracoke Island to Hatteras Island over the Hatteras Inlet


Hatteras Lighthouse - reminded me of the many vacations to NC to see my Aunt Maureen! Hope these bring back some memories for you!



View of Cape Point from Lighthouse


Old Lighthouse coordinates - New coordinates 35°15'02"N 75°31'44"W

View of the Hatteras Lighthouse parking lot - just us

View of the keepers quarters

Old site view of new site

Beach house in Avon, NC - screened porch was unscreened from the hurricane

My buddy

Dredge working on the channel on our way back to Ocracoke from Hatteras


Back on Ocracoke

Ocracoke Cottage

Porch at our Ocracoke Cottage

Couples Retreat - Us and 2 pair of ducks - There were about 20 that lived under our cottage


Out on the point having steamed spiced shrimp with 30 mph winds - our car created an eddy

Sand formations from the wind

Shelltower formations from the wind


Shipwreck!!

Seagulls saying goodbye


A few additions thanks to Pete.
Me exploring at Cape Point, Hatteras

Our set-up at South Point, Ocracoke

Boogie Boarding!

New River to add to my list

Before Pete and I left for vacation last Sunday, we kayaked the Rockfish River which had some rapids to play in. Sorry for the lame pics. I was focused on North Carolina the next day.

Little Froggy in the Rock Water

Lame view of the last rapid

R.I.P. Common Sense

Enjoy this as I sort through the many pictures from Ocracoke Island and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This blurb had such a role in this great vacation. I do not take credit for this obituary but I will say I miss him dearly.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; And maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies, don't spend more than you can earn and adults, not children, are in charge. His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, do nothing...

Actual Whitewater Kayaking Take 2

Pete and I went out last night and kayaked the same run, only 1.5 feet lower. Still swifter water than I had been doing but with more maneuvering.

I'll be posting a video eventually - once I have a free moment to throw one together.
Working our way through a side channel - you can see where the weeds are to where the water was

Gorgeous night!

Pete in his element

And this is 1.5 feet lower than the run before!



Stay tuned for pictures from Ocracoke Island where Pete and I will be for the next 7 days!

Actual Whitewater Kayaking

Finally it has rained and the river levels were WAY up. Up maybe a little too high as most of the rapids were flooded. We still got some monster waves tonight though.
Put In

The group - Pete, Iva, Bill, Brian and Dave

Bald Eagle