Cape Hatteras Light Station

Time to head toward the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry.

As we headed south, we saw hundreds of huge rental houses like these. They rent for anywhere from about $1,000 to $4,000 per week depending upon size and season.
Our first stop was the Cape Hatteras Light Station where we decided to test our stair climbing skills on 268 steps.

Marlon has finished counting the 1.25 million bricks used to construct the light house and is ready to start climbing.

There are several landings to stop and rest on along the climb.

We made it to the top!

The light house was moved 2,870 feet inland during 1999/2000 due to shore erosion.

The light house casts its shadow...

Doug made it back down the stairs and left Marlon up there. Here Marlon risks life and limb by putting his hand in the air.

For a video of the top of the Cape Hatteras Light Station, see the next blog.

For more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/ocracokeislandferry/ pictures 1-49.

To be continued...

Driving to the Outer Banks' Camp Hatteras

Today we headed to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

We ran into some very stormy weather on the way and had to contend with it as we went over very LONG bridges. This one was the worst...two lanes!

Here the storms continued but at least it was two lanes both way and divided.

This is North Carolina Highway 12 which is the north-south artery on the Outer Banks. No more bridges...just harsh winds and blowing sand.

But we made it safely to Camp Hatteras, near the town of Waves, on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

This campground had over 400 rv sites and its very own beachfront. We arrived about 2 weeks after tornadoes had gone through the area and taken away the boardwalk to the beach. They had already finished a new boardwalk though.

For some video of the beach, click below.
This picnic shelter was located beachfront.

The resort featured a nice gameroom with video games and pool tables...

a fully furnished clubhouse with board games, book exchange and complete kitchen for social activities.

An outdoor pool as well as an indoor pool and hot tub.

For more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/camp-hatteras-rodan/ .

To be continued...

Visitors Arrive and We Visit The Haven

Today is Memorial Day. Carol and her friend A (formerly known as O, which stands for Orville) checked into Pedro's Motor Inn today after attending a NASCAR race over the weekend. A is from Canada...get it, eh?

Here we are trying out Peddler's Steakhouse at South of the Border. We love Outback Steakhouse...Outback it ain't.

Next we went to the Waffle House. But we didn't eat any waffles.

Based on our recommendation, they were excited to go up Sombrero Tower. Our SECOND trip up was double the fun.

We ran into an Elton John impersonator who treated us to an ocapela version of the 1983 hit I'm Still Standing.

Carol and Doug tried on a little color.

That was obviously NOT a hungry, hungry hippo.

On Tuesday, Carol and Orville left us for Myrtle Beach.

I've fallen and I can't get up!

Okay, I can...for food.

We didn't think we should leave our new kitty friend at Pedro's Campground, so we packed her up and dropped her off at Raeford, North Carolina's The Haven-Friends For Life No-Kill Animal Shelter.

Here's one of The Haven's cathouses.

The Haven is an extraordinary shelter run by Linden Spears. Linden moved to the Raeford area to raise horses on her farm but saw the need to save some animals.

And save them she does. At any given time, The Haven houses approximately 500 cats and 1,000 dogs!

Learn more about The Haven and the challenges it faces at http://www.thehaven-nc.com/ .

The Haven was recently gifted 10 of these Pawsidential Suites which will serve as home to 60 lucky cats. The Suites were donated by The Diane Warren Foundation run by songwriter Diane Warren.

It is almost guaranteed that every person (at least in America) knows many of Diane's songs whether they realize it or not. Check her website out at http://www.dianewarren.com/ and learn more about this supporter of both animal and human rights.

Oh...and don't worry about this little one.

Doug will soon sign a long-term contract upgrading her from guest star to regular.

For more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/carol-and-orville-m/ and http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/spending-the-day-wi/ .

To be continued...