Lighthouses

I just love lighthouses, don't you? When I was in college I spent one summer working at a camp on Oak Island. I spent every night of that summer in a room in an old building that served as the barracks for Ft. Caswell, a fort dating back to the Civil War. The warm ocean breeze lulled me to sleep every night, as did the constant flashing of the Oak Island Lighthouse. With four flashes followed by six seconds of darkness, its consistency became a rather soothing presence in an otherwise dark room.

Since 1958 this lighthouse has been guiding ships safely through the night off the shores of North Carolina.

Even though I have been vacationing on Oak Island for over 20 years, I had never climbed to the top of the lighthouse until this summer. My lovely daughter, Catie, volunteered as a tour guide while working a summer job as a waitress on the island. This gave me the perfect excuse to visit. (Isn't she one of the prettiest guides you have ever seen?)

The climb to the top was not an easy one. The lighthouse has 131 ship's ladder steps making the trip to the top quite laborious. However, the view at the end of the journey is well worth the labor.

It was a little overcast on the day that I visited, however, Catie said that on a clear day one could see all the way to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.

Although the view of the vast ocean is amazing; I love the view of the intercoastal waterway and the marsh surrounding it.

After my visit to the lighthouse I was thinking about why I am so drawn to this structure. It finally dawned on me that, in a world where nothing ever stays the same, this lighthouse continues to give the same guidance that it has for many years. The same consistent four flashes and six second darkness that eased me to sleep every night over twenty years ago still continues today. Thankfully, I serve a God who is consistent in a world that is continuously changing.


Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Oak Island, North Carolina

Do you have a favorite place to vacation? I sure do. Fortunately, one of my favorite places is only about three hours from home making it easy to visit often. Oak Island is a wonderful North Carolina island where summer days are spent on the beach enjoying the salty breeze.



Beach days for our family consist of bike riding, beach sitting, game playing, picnicking, and dolphin watching. We don't spend a lot of time watching television or shopping. My girls have never experienced the beach any other way. What about you? How do you enjoy spending your vacation?



This week my girls are at Camp Caswell, a Christian camp on the island. John and I are going to have a little beach time to ourselves. I think I'll plan a couple yummy meals to enjoy on the beach...any ideas??

Bald Head Island

Although I have been going to Oak Island for almost twenty-five years, I had never been to visit Bald Head Island, a neighboring island that is home to North Carolina's oldest lighthouse. Ever since I have taught fourth grade NC History I have wanted to go and see it. John and I decided that our week alone was the perfect time to explore the area.

We had to depart from Southport on a ferry to go over to the island. Once there the only ways of transportation are bikes, electric golf carts, and good old walking. I love the idea of a place that doesn't have a bunch of automobiles on the roads.



Those that have homes on the island have to ship their belongings on the ferry as well. I don't know what they do if the run out of supplies.



The marina has a beautiful building.



Once on the island, the views were wonderful. One can see the towns of Southport and Oak Island. You may notice the Oak Island Lighthouse in the distance. It is the newest lighthouse in North Carolina. Isn't it neat that this area can boast of the oldest and the newest NC lighthouses?



The other side of the island has some incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean.



Can you just imagine what early visitors to this island must have thought about it. Legend has it that the island used to have an area that looked like a bald head and that pirates used that as a way to give direction.



I couldn't resist showing off my butterfly picture. It was made while on the island. Can anyone identify it for me?



There was another lighthouse structure on the island that was made of metal. It has long since been torn down although the foundation still exists today.



Old Baldy, as it is called, was built in 1817 . We were told that it was made of soft brick and concrete.



Once inside there are one hundred and eighty steps that spiral through several levels. My contractor husband was a little skeptical about the safety of this staircase. He was a bit fearful of climbing to the top. I figured that if it has been standing this long then it must be pretty safe.



Fortunately there were several landings for us to stop and catch our breath. There were even a couple of windows that gave a glimpse of the view waiting at the top.



On the last level, we had to climb a ladder through a small opening in the floor. The view from the top was amazing.



The three hundred sixty degree view of the island was worth the climb.



You could see everything from the top from the marina to the marsh.



Much of the island is a maritime forest with lots of trees. It was just beautiful.



It was a really hot and humid day so the temperature at the top was almost one hundred degrees. Sweat was running down our faces and backs.



Needless to say, we didn't stay at the top very long. With the unbearable heat and John's uncertainty of the construction of the stairs and platforms, we made our visit very short.



I am just amazed at the age and beauty of this lighthouse.



I would love to visit all of the other lighthouses in North Carolina. Maybe we will take a trip to the outer banks to do just that.



Of course after all of that climbing, we were very hungry. Fortunately the island has several restaurants. We ate at one called Eb and Flo's. Don't you just love that catchy name? John had steamed mussels and I had my favorite, crab cakes. It was all yummy. We finished up the day by returning to our own island and spent the evening on the beach with friends. A day doesn't get much more perfect than that.

A Week With My Man!

Tomorrow both of my girls are leaving for a week of camp with their youth group. It is the first time that Carson has been old enough to go, so that means that John and I will be without both girls for the week. The camp is only ten minutes away from my parents' beach house and we have decided to spend the week together there.



This means that while our girls are having tons of fun with their friends, John and I will be having tons of fun with each other. This will be the first time that we have ever been to the beach house alone. I think we will try out some new restaurants, shop for antiques in beautiful Southport, and enjoy some quiet time on the beach. The best part of the whole trip is knowing that if our girls need us for anything, we will only be ten minutes away. I'm a little attached to them. Can you tell?

Oh well, I'll catch up with you all when I get back. I hope everyone has a blessed week! Try to stay cool!

Happy 4th of July!

I've got my bags packed. I've watered the garden. I've straightened the house. I'm ready to go. Finally, our family is getting some much needed vacation time.



We are heading out for one of my favorite places in the world, Oak Island, NC.



I can't wait to spend a little time on the beach with my favorite people.



I'll be back next week! I hope everyone has a happy and safe Fourth of July! Enjoy your family and remember our wonderful military troops that are spending their holiday away from their families. God Bless!