Sunday May 5th we left for a short road trip to Crystal Coast aka Atlantic Ocean.
There have been rumors the state will soon suspend the ferry service to the island. Evidently keeping up w the ever changing channels and marking the water highway is becoming increasingly difficult. Due to all the coastal hurricanes and changing currents over the last few years. This was a spur of the moment decision last week. We had it on our list of to do this year just moved it to the top.
There have been rumors the state will soon suspend the ferry service to the island. Evidently keeping up w the ever changing channels and marking the water highway is becoming increasingly difficult. Due to all the coastal hurricanes and changing currents over the last few years. This was a spur of the moment decision last week. We had it on our list of to do this year just moved it to the top.
This was an ill-fated trip it seems.
Our original plan was to take the Ferry from Beaufort, NC but due to blustery winds and choppy seas,
the 45 minute trip was cancelled. However, the 15 minute ferry ride over to the Island was still in service.
Wednesday-Saturday. We were there on Monday.
Our trip over to the island was on a smaller boat so no photos going over due to the very blustery wind and choppy seas. I did get some wonderful photos once on the island and on our return trip which was on a larger boat.
Front view of the Lighthouse keeper's cottage
In 1873 lighthouse keeper's quarters were finished.
This duplex is now available to volunteer caretakers
You can see from the clouds it was a blustery day
Left photo 'she' looks like a giant feline stalking us.
Right Photo same view of 'her' but taken from the ocean side of the lighthouse
next 2 Images from Images.com
Photos taken as the ferry departed the island
We had white caps to and from
Good news is neither of us got sea sick.
Cape Lookout Lighthouse Facts:
Original structure built completed in 1812, costing less than $21,000, 104' above sea level.
By 1850 the sentinel had a list of problems mainly the light was not bright enough
1857 Congress appropriated $45,000 to build new light house. 1859 it was finished it stood 163' above sea level,
lighting could be seen from 19 miles.
The lighthouse played an important role in Civil War serving as a military stronghold and a link in the supply line.
Once back on solid ground we looked around the Visitor's Center.
U.S. Coast guard owns and operates the lighthouse, It is part of
the Cape Lookout National Seashore, 55 miles of southern barrier islands ranging from Beaufort Inlet to
Ocracoke. For years there were no facilities on the island. However, now there is a dock
with bathrooms. Should you visit you will need to pack your own snacks, insect repellent and sun screen
Whatever you bring must leave the island with you i.e. trash etc.
Cape Lookout is only accessible by Ferry or private boats.
As I mentioned above, it is open to the public and you can climb to the top on
Wednesday-Saturday
Our original plan was to take the Ferry from Beaufort, NC but due to blustery winds and choppy seas,
the 45 minute trip was cancelled. However, the 15 minute ferry ride over to the Island was still in service.
We are got up very early Monday to drive to Harker's Island, NC to board the Island Ferry Express for a 15 minute ride to Cape Lookout National seashore. Cape Lookout lighthouse is the only NC light house that we had not climbed. We were very excited. I am sorry to say WE still have not climbed it.
Unbeknownst to us...and evidently the Ferry operator, Cape Lookout is only opened for visitorsWednesday-Saturday. We were there on Monday.
Our trip over to the island was on a smaller boat so no photos going over due to the very blustery wind and choppy seas. I did get some wonderful photos once on the island and on our return trip which was on a larger boat.
Front view of the Lighthouse keeper's cottage
In 1873 lighthouse keeper's quarters were finished.
This duplex is now available to volunteer caretakers
You can see from the clouds it was a blustery day
Left photo 'she' looks like a giant feline stalking us.
Right Photo same view of 'her' but taken from the ocean side of the lighthouse
next 2 Images from Images.com
I snapped a photo of the above but it wasn't clear.
I was able to enlarge this bit of info from my photos.
Good news is neither of us got sea sick.
Original structure built completed in 1812, costing less than $21,000, 104' above sea level.
By 1850 the sentinel had a list of problems mainly the light was not bright enough
1857 Congress appropriated $45,000 to build new light house. 1859 it was finished it stood 163' above sea level,
lighting could be seen from 19 miles.
The lighthouse played an important role in Civil War serving as a military stronghold and a link in the supply line.
Once back on solid ground we looked around the Visitor's Center.
U.S. Coast guard owns and operates the lighthouse, It is part of
the Cape Lookout National Seashore, 55 miles of southern barrier islands ranging from Beaufort Inlet to
Ocracoke. For years there were no facilities on the island. However, now there is a dock
with bathrooms. Should you visit you will need to pack your own snacks, insect repellent and sun screen
Whatever you bring must leave the island with you i.e. trash etc.
Cape Lookout is only accessible by Ferry or private boats.
As I mentioned above, it is open to the public and you can climb to the top on
Wednesday-Saturday
that is such a wonderful place... we would love to live there... and we bet the lighthouse has a ghost... all lighthouses have one, right?
ReplyDeleteHari om
ReplyDeleteI have experienced that mistiming of visitations! You still made a wonderful trip of it!!! YAM xx
Sounds like you had a lovely trip there. You will have to go back again though to climb it before the ferry service ends.
ReplyDeleteWell even thought he weather was "iffy" you had a good time and that's the important thing. We love lighthouses here too - David and I did "lighthouse hopping" on Cape Cod and up and down the Maine coast. There's something wonderful about lighthouses beyond the big job they do to help boats....I just love them.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Pam
What a beautiful lighthouse and keepers cottage! You will have to return one day and go inside!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures of the lighthouses and the cottage. Looks like a good trip even with the iffy weather. You all have a fantastic day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun trip. Beautiful lighthouse. I don't like rough water.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun trip, lighthouses are really super cool!
ReplyDeleteyou will have to go again on a day it is open and the sun is shining. not sure how far the trip is but you can do it I am sure... I don't do heights, boats so not something I would do. I do love that duplex
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an adventure. It's too bad you didn't get to climb the lighthouse.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, awesome, and more awesome! The nearby lighthouse we have is privately owned so no way to visit. Just a lookie-loo from the jetty
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this my dear C. Great day trip.
What an intriguing time for you ~ great photos and post ~ I love that area ~ my son lives nearby too ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Day To You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
ps. Hi Madi from Zoe ~ ruff! ruff! ruff!
ReplyDeleteHappy Day To You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Great photos. I am glad you didn't get seasick. :) XO
ReplyDeleteUp high: nope
ReplyDeleteOn the water: nope
Grey and cold: nope!
Glad you had fun! I'm too delicate for lighthouses! LOL!
I would have loved to join you. I love lighthouses. I love the water. I love boats. I would have had a great time.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day, Honey. Big hug. ♥
I really like the black stripes on the lighthouse!...I sure hope you get to climb to the top of it one day!!
ReplyDeleteArty and I are heading out Sunday for a trip down the California Coast to meet Ed in San Diego(he has a work thing) and then drive back...I'm looking forward to seeing a few new lighthouses!!
It's always fun to go on adventures, and NC definitely has a lot to see. Shame about the possible ferry cancelling, but hurricanes will be impacting a lot of things, it seems.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great adventure, even if the lighthouse was closed due to the day of week.
ReplyDeleteYou did get some great shots. Love as the boat is speeding away how the lighthouse keeps getting smaller. There was a lot of info to take in there. Too bad it wasn't a sunny not blustery day! Hope you ate some good FOOD!!!!!
ReplyDeletehow awesome is this post; thanx for sharing the history and the photos though sorry the monday trip wasn't a wednesday trip; and I didn't know ships were lost to sea as recently as the late 60's
ReplyDelete:(
That is too bad you didn't get to climb the lighthouse, but at least you got there and got some very nice photos. They really capture the weather. Maybe the government will change their minds about the ferry and you will be able to go another time. We sure hope so.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Wasn't the best of days to travel by ferry....but looks like you didn't let the weather bother you! A very interesting place.
ReplyDeleteThere's a shipwreck museum in the UP of Michigan (https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com) - and I admit that even though lighthouses don't exactly excite me, it was pretty cool! Mother Nature can't be beat and she's taken many prizes over the years.
ReplyDeleteLove this lighthouse. There is something about lighthouses I really like. Love your photos.
ReplyDeleteYou were brave to go out in the blustery weather! But looks like a fun outing
ReplyDeletehugs
Mabel
Oh, that sounds like it was a fun adventure anyways! You got a unforgettable boat ride, AND no puking! BOL!!! Ma says she wants to live in the Keeper's cottage!
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby ♥
You are brave to ride over on such turbulent seas. But it looks like it was worth it. The US has a relatively short but interesting history.
ReplyDeleteToo bad the weather didn't cooperate. But it looks like you had a good time anyway. The photos were great!
ReplyDeleteI want to be a volunteer lighthouse keeper and stay in the cottage! Lighthouses are one of my favorite things and it looks as if I need to come to N.C. to see them!
ReplyDelete