Fanette

 

 

 

 

 

 

A dreary, drizzly day could not stop the fun in the Outer Banks. Jeff and Ziggy took a stroll around the campground. It wasn't raining when we awoke so we decided to drive south to the Hatteras Lighthouse and were amazed at its beauty and height. Made of 1,250,000 red bricks and painted black and white it stands 210' and is the tallest lighthouse in the US. Several years ago they moved it 2900' inland to avoid erosion by the encroaching sea. We watched a movie showing this amazing engineering feat in the visitor center. It is part of the National Park System and well worth the drive. Luckily for us, you can't climb the 285 steps to the top until late April so we admired it from the bottom. Two deer were roaming in the nearby woods and they were cute.

We spent most of the day inside enjoying the solitude and our electronic devices. I used the time to watch the season premier of Mad Men on the iPad. It cleared late in the afternoon and we took a walk on the nearly deserted beach. Two sets of dolphins swam by and delighted us by diving in and out of the water. Could not ask for more fun. Cooked dinner and watch TV - a perfect day.

Come Fly With Me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today was special as we visited the National Park Service site to honor the Wright Brothers. I had not realized their dedication and brilliance in creating flight. They chose Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk because it was one of the windiest places in the US and did all their own funding for the project of flight. They were smart enough to patent everything they invented. This site commemorates the first four successful flights on December 17, 1903. OrvilleWright flew the first successful flight and then took turns with older brother Wilbur. We saw the million dollar replica of the "Flier" and also an aluminum replica outside. Behind the ash and cloth replica is a glider with Orville flying. We heard a ranger talk and watched a movie before walking to the huge monument. After a delicious lunch we went to see a local monument and saw some amazing cedar waxwings in a tree.

House of the Rising Sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.We took a day and a half to get here and finally crossed the bridge to the barrier islands late afternoon on a sunny day.We passed a large island with Alligator River NWR on the north end and Dare bombing range on the south and then found ourselves riding amid sand dunes and tiny island towns. Most businesses are closed and getting ready to open in the next few weeks. Heading south to our campground we had thousands of Double-crested Cormorants fly overhead. They were in long rows and settling on a beach as we rode by. Our campground is great with about 18 rigs here when they can hold several hundred. We are right up front looking at the sand dunes. Ziggy is enjoying the fresh air, but not loving the steps to get in and out of the RV. Mommy and daddy have to help her. I took a walk on the deserted beach and saw a few birds, Willets and Laughing Gulls. Met a nice woman who was not only from the Trenton area, but we did business with her father's company. Small world! Had a delicious dinner at an Asian fusion restaurant where I had panko breaded scallops. Later we saw the beautiful sunset.

On the Road Again

Heading north and passing South of the Border.

Dayeinu

Tonight was our Women's Seder from our synagogue. My friend Sue Wiener and I led the service and enjoyed singing and dancing with tambourines. It was a beautiful evening. In the photo I am pouring water into Miriam's Cup.

Stewball

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is a Marsh Tacky Horse Race? A marsh tacky is a type of horse that was used in the Low Country to plow and do farm work. The people would race the horses on the beach to determine who had bragging rights to the fastest horse. Today the races are a major attraction on the Hilton Head beach. There was a huge crowd today as Jan Trabb and I watched the races. It was a gorgeous, sunny day and lots of fun to be part of the crowd cheering on the horses and riders. The little lab at the end is training to be a service dog.

The Wonder of You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life is beautiful in the Low Country. Our backyard lagoon is a treat for the senses. The blue heron comes every day and strolls the grounds and does some fishing. The alligator says, "Peek-a-boo" and slides under water. She/he is still sitting on the nest some of the time. Only one gator is in the lagoon now in addition to the six juveniles. The hawk is unidentified, but he was being chased by two angry crows.