3D Thursday – Bodie Island Lighthouse

Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Bodie Island.

Off the coast of North Carolina, a collection of islands hug the United States mainland coastline. Collectively, these islands are known as the Outer Banks. Connected by bridges, three major islands attract summer vacationers by the thousands. To protect navigation along the coast, a battery of lighthouses warn ships of the island hazards to navigation. The lighthouse most commonly featured in stories and photos is arguably the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. However, the Bodie Island Lighthouse has probably a more interesting location.

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Haw River – Hike, Fish or Run the Rapids

Chatham County, North Carolina.

On our way to Pittsboro, on US-15/501, we crossed a bridge with an unassuming sign labeled Haw River. On the north side of the highway is a small turnoff that might well be unnoticed when motoring by. That turnoff leads to a small parking area and a pick-up/drop off area with a covered bench and a sign advertising the Haw River Canoe & Kayak Company.

But I Digress… Siler City’s Improbable Tie to Hollywood

Siler City, North Carolina.

In recent posts about a couple of small towns in North Carolina, we discover that the town of Siler City became the retirement home of Frances Bavier, the character actor who played Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968. As we learned in Josh Steiner’s guest post (here) for this week’s Travel Tuesday, Siler City no longer feels “like fictional Mayberry, but more like suburban anywhere, USA.”

The changing face of the American South: Siler City, NC

Siler City, North Carolina.

For this week’s Travel Tuesday, I have the distinct pleasure of hosting a guest post from the Pot and Pan Handler, Josh Steiner. Last fall, he and I had the opportunity to travel to small town, North Carolina. The photo above features a mural depicting Siler City’s main street in an earlier time. Known for its murals, Siler City has another claim to fame, a tie to Hollywood… but, wait!!! Why am I telling you this? Read on to learn about the little town that is “Balanced for Progress.” Don’t forget to check out the Handler’s blog here.

Pittsboro, North Carolina – Land of the Plenty

Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Our first trip to North Carolina to visit our son and daughter-in-law was delayed several times due to circumstances beyond our control. Early last year, we determined 2015 would be the year we first visited one of the states that originally was one of the thirteen original British colonies.

Bodie Island Lighthouse – Not Your Typical Lighthouse Setting

Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Bodie Island.

Three major islands and several smaller sandbar barriers, many connected by bridges, comprise the Outer Banks of North Carolina. These barrier islands protect the coastline from the Atlantic Ocean and attract thousands of tourists and summer vacationers annually.

Outer Banks – Sunrise on the Atlantic

Outer Banks, North Carolina.

I don’t often rise early to take advantage of the morning sunrise. More often I look for the late afternoon sun. On our single overnight in the Outer Banks, however, we would be up early and find a good place for capturing a sunrise along the sandy beaches. In the early pre-dawn, we drove along the main beach road and found a public access area where we could capture the morning sun as the day awoke. At the parking lot near the beach, several SUVs were already parked there. We parked next to an SUV where its occupants were unloading surfboards from the roof. On this chilly North Carolina morning, they were appropriately adorned in wet suits.

The gallery of images below document the sunrise from pre-dawn. Click on an image to enlarge it and to scroll through the gallery.

A lone pelican looking for breakfast.

Fishing is better with friends.

A lone fisherman tries his luck from shore.

First sign of the sun in the far-off cloudbank.

View from a sand dune.

Outer Banks, North Carolina.

Beach houses behind the dunes on the Outer Bank.

Early morning surfers enjoying their hobby.

Welcome to a glorious new day.

John Steiner