A brief field trip..

Philip and I took Lachlan on a field trip on Thursday up the beach. We strapped him into the back seat and away we went. It is interesting that he only knows travel by ferry...just common place to him! We went to Cape Hatteras to have our picnic.

There we sat.

The three of us...facing this majestic lighthouse as we chased away sea gulls and ate bologna sandwiches. We didn't tour inside as he was probably too small and we had many more events for the day, but we did stand side by side up next to the lighthouse. We could only sigh in awe of this masterpiece that, not only was built by the sea, but moved as well.

Off we went to Chicamacomico for a tour of the lifesaving station. It has been restored beautifully and, since it was Thursday, we also were able to watch the drill. (Well, that was the reason for the trip!)

The eight members of the Coast Guard hauled out the beach cart which weighs over a thousand pounds and completed the drill just as it was done a hundred years ago. I tell the story of this rescue operation, but had never seen it actually completed. It was much grander than I had anticipated, although I knew the mechanics of the drill.

When the drill was completed, the men of the Coast Guard answered questions as they were served cold bottles of water. Something the men of long ago were not privy too!
After dripping strawberry ice cream, Lachlan fell asleep and we all came back home drifting along on the ferry. I would say a good time was had by all!!

Lou Ann

My Birthday...

I had a wonderful birthday yesterday. It is always so special on the Island. On Monday evening we had a July potluck supper for all the July birthday folks. The supper was fabulous and we wore our crowns and tiaras!

I woke early on my birthday and went to the beach to watch the sun come up..it was so lovely and quiet. (Philip just can't get up that early!) I bought coffee in the village and a newspaper and sat out on the dock reading the news and enjoying this early morning time.

By the time I returned to the cottage, Philp was up and we hopped on our bikes and went out to breakfast to the Pony Island Inn. In the afternoon I followed Philip and a photographer (from Our State magazine) around as he took photo shots of Philp for the October issue. We spent most of the time in graveyards. (A cheery place to be on your birthday!!)

I went out on the Windfall with my friends, Bill and Lida. It was their wedding anniversary and the entire boat was full of couples celebrating their anniversaries as well. It was beautiful out in the sound on the old schooner and I never tire of listening to Captain Rob tell pirate stories!

It was almost dark when I returned home and time for me to go to work. I put on my old pirate dress with shawl and necklace of clam shells and then I went to work. I had the late night ghost walk through the village. I arrived back home by midnight. (all walking, of course!)

Between all of this, I enjoyed flowers from Adam and Tonya, phone calls, cards and emails. It is nice not to be forgotten when I am a thousand miles away. Thanks to all of you for making my day special!

Lou Ann

Christabal

We have spent the last couple of days waiting, waiting, waiting for the tropical storm, Christabal.
We have purchased supplies and batteries from the Community Store, parked our car on higher ground, filled the house with extra books, brought down the Scrabble game and biked down to the Sound several times.

A couple of raindrops fell which caused everyone to believe it was here..but false alarm!

Now, we really don't want a hurricane, or any damage...but a long night of much-needed rain and some wind in the willows would be a welcome relief.

It is just like waiting for a snowstorm up north without the school delays!!

So, until then, all is well on Ocracoke Island!

Lou Ann