Brad and Lara at Ocracoke Lighthouse
We had the very rare treat of being able to get inside the lighthouse. It is usually not open to the public. A National Park Ranger was working at the light house the day we went over. He had opened for a few hours while he was going to be there for people to be able to look at the inside. The original light was built in 1795 than moved and the lighthouse at the current location was built in 1823. It is the second oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina.
Looking up into the tower at Ocracoke Lighthouse
This tree was in the yard of the light keeper's house and shows how its trunk has grows in a spiral shape because of the winds here on the island.
The strong winds that often blow here particularly in the spring cause sand to cover the only road along the island. Snow plows and front-end loaders are used to keep the road clear to traffic.
We stopped for a quick visit to the pony pen. For those unfamiliar with the Ocracoke ponies you can see the fall post from this blog in 2017. Ocracoke had one of only a very few mounted boy scout troops in the history of the Boy Scouts of America. It began in 1954 and was active for about 10 years. The Banker Ponies are believed to be descendents from either shipwrecks or early explorations between the 1500s-1700s.
We have also been taking care of Russ and Michelle's dog, Whiff, for a few days while they are in Raleigh. Whiff got to ride with the 4 of us to the nature trail near the pony pens.
Whiff riding to the nature trail with us.
She had the head bobs in the sunshine.
Once we got back to the boat, Lara played mixologist/bar tender for the afternoon.
Surprisingly, no one woke up with a hang-over the next day. Go figure???
We were so glad to have Brad and Lara visit and can't wait to see them again soon.
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