MORE FROM THE OUTER BANKS

 

Our daughter-in-law was anxious to see Ocracoke Island.  So sight seeing people that we are, all eight of us piled into two cars and went off to the ferry.  One must take a ferry to get to Ocracoke and a ferry ride was a first for all except Gary and I.


Many were in line!!

Leaving Cape Hatteras behind.



Lynn and Richard with their budding photographer??

 

Miranda, Lynn, Richie and Richard

Lynn's brother, Bill

Grandma Angie with Miranda and Richie

We were so glad that we got this opportunity to vacation with Angie and Billy along.  We had a wonderful time and were so thankful for safe travels.

Leaving the Ferry we checked out the stores and North Carolina's oldest operating, Ocracoke Light House built in 1823.  The lighthouse was only open to look up from the bottom, but interesting for the family who had never seen one.

Then on to lunch!!  Seems they felt they had put that off way to long.  Thanks Rich for lunch, it was great!!

Richie, Miranda, Angie, Bill, Lynn and Rich

Out of steam!!
So the next day we went back to Cape Hatteras Island for the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.  Miranda was anxious for ghost stories of the shipwrecks.  She spent the longest time reading all of the wall hangings, but think that the stories will be best obtained from books.  We were glad that she enjoyed it though. 

Miranda

Now on to the 1870 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and up 267 steps!! It is the world's tallest brick lighthouse at 198.5 feet.   I begged off on this one though.

 



It was amazing to see the pictures of the moving of this lighthouse over land just a few years ago, to save it from the erosion of the coastline.  What a feat!!  Some great engineers involved there!!

 

Looking down!!

Lynn and Richie checking out the view

And here are views from the top - - -

 We stopped for souvenirs on the way back to our beach house.  Then later we checked out Lynn's sister's beach house and her grandson's blisters from sunburn.  These houses are quite nice and spacious with hot tub and private pool.  I think that the pool is the greatest attraction for everyone.

 

Early that evening Gary and I checked out the beach.  It was such a tough walk across the dunes that we only got this done once!!  I suppose because it is part of the National Park System, the dunes are maintained natural.  We saw very, very few walkways across them!!  



No view of the beach from the top deck of the beach house!!

It is now time to prepare for the return trip.  All good things come to an end, as we had to keep reminding the kids, both big and small!!  We were off early and left them to finish packing.  Ours was done the night before. 

I sure would hate that drive all in one day, but they do it.  We took three days both coming and going, as it is so much more relaxing.  And we stopped in WV to check out Gary's parents graves and to visit with a distant cousin's wife.  Were surprised to hear that the cousin had passed away.  Gary also called another cousin but was unable to make connections to visit because she had to work.  We also stopped to see one of his mother's friends, but only got to see her brother.  Then we stopped at the Meadows Casino south of Pittsburgh for an hour as was time for a lunch break.  We can always find an excuse!!  Just fun and relaxing.

I will show you some scenery pictures in the next Blog of the return trip.  Stay safe.