Jul 12, 2011

Vacation Highlights: Hatteras, Kitty Hawk, and the wild horses

We had all agreed ahead of time that everyone was free to spend their time however they wanted, with no pressure to do "group" sight-seeing.  So we pretty much all did our own thing,  though we had enough "togetherness" to enjoy each other's company as well.  One afternoon, hubby and I decided to take off and visit the famous Hatteras Lighthouse. Cape Hatteras is about 1 1/2 hours from our beach house. 


As soon as we got there and started to walk around, I experienced one of those unexpected moments of emotion and tears as I thought about how much my dad would have loved being here with us.  He loved lighthouses, and had painted many of them, including this one.    



It was so breezy that I couldn't keep my hat on.  This photo gives perspective as to how tall the lighthouse is, and we definitely were not up for climbing the narrow steps!  We toured the keeper's quarters, which is now a museum, and watched a video that explained how this lighthouse was moved inland almost 3000 feet in 1999 to save it from coastal erosion.  It is just an amazing story that I will never be able to comprehend.


This photo was taken standing at the original location of the lighthouse.  Before we left the area, we also enjoyed a park ranger's lecture on pirates!


Another day, the whole group of us took a short ride to Kitty Hawk to see the Wright Brothers Museum.  Being Ohio natives, we have a great sense of pride in Wilbur and Orville Wright, who strategically took their invention to the shores of North Carolina to test it out!



I just can't get my mind wrapped around the fact that only 66 years after this historic event, a man landed on the moon.

 The National Monument...


Here I am with mom and sister Marcella...

One morning, the ladies decided to go on a tour to see the wild horses.  So we all piled into a tour van and had the time of our lives!



The guide, of course, knew right where to take us.  







The horses are Spanish Mustangs, and are protected by the U. S Government.  People are not allowed to approach them or try to feed them.  It was so weird to be driving on this beach so close to the water.  I felt like we were in the middle of "nowhere".  What a breathtaking sight it was though!

from left:  Connie, Lynn, Marcella, Mom, Barb, Marcie, Jacque, and Cindy.

4 comments:

Jess said...

How Fun! You looked so cute with your white hat! I loved seeing the photos of the wild horses and would have enjoyed the talk on pirates. Can I come next time?

Diana said...

Oh Jacquelyn! I really felt your emotion when looking at your lighthouse photos. How interesting that your dad painted them and that particular one! I can imagine he would have loved being there with all of you.
I remember seeing the wild Mustangs in the movie "Nights in Rodanthe" with Diane Lane and Richard Gere. One of my absolute favorite movies!
What a beautiful trip!
Love Di ♥

Anonymous said...

How wonderful...I love all the photos! :)

Pat said...

I love joining through your pictures! Such a beautiful area of our country, isn't it?
I love you hat, I need to get myself one!