Ocracoke Day 4

Long ago ponies roamed free on Ocracoke Island.  It is not clear where they came from, but we can try to figure it out.  They could have landed here after surviving a shipwreck.  Perhaps the pirates brought them here to help them with work, travel around the town, and carrying their things.

Because so many people visit the island they have had to pen the ponies so they can be safe from the cars.  The ponies are cared for by the National Park Service rangers.  

Aren't the ponies beautiful? 

Ocracoke Day 3

This morning we visited the Ocracoke Lighthouse built in 1823.  Do you know how many years ago it was built?  

What can you infer about the height of the lighthouse? Why do lighthouses need to be tall? 

The Ocracoke Lighthouse is 77.5 feet tall.

Ms. Ballard and I got to go inside the lighthouse.  This is what it looks like from the top looking straight up.  Estimate how many stairs you would need to climb to reach the top. Look closely at the bricks on the left side of the photograph, you'll notice mortar from the old wooden staircase that was used when the lighthouse was first built 189 years ago.

The lighthouse keeper lives here.  This is actually two houses in one.  One family lives on the left and another family lives on the right side of the house.

Ocracoke Day 2 (PM)

This afternoon Ms. Ballard and I kayaked in the Pamlico Sound.  I had a great time... see how excited I was? Unfortunately, Ms. Ballard and I did not get to ride together.  Instead, we rode tandem with other North Carolina teacher friends.  

After we paddled for some time we beached our kayaks near the fishing canals.  

We got out to examine the wildlife that included crabs, fish and oysters.  Aren't the marshes beautiful?

Kayaking just might be my new favorite thing!  I'm so glad I tried something new on this trip.

Ocracoke Day 2 (AM)

I just can't get over how brilliant the green vegetation contrasts with the blue skies.  I'm loving it! 

Mile markers on the beach.  Did you know that you can drive out on the sand to fish and explore?  

It was nice to finish my coffee on the beach while learning the history of Lifeguard Beach.

Proof I was thinking about you!

Ocracoke: Day 1

We're here!

Ms. Ballard and I got up really early this morning and drove across the state of North Carolina to attend a teaching seminar at NCCAT.  After nearly eight hours in the car we finally arrived at Cedar Island to catch a ferry across the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke Island.

Here is a map of our travel across the state.  Do you recognize any of the cities we traveled through to get to the ferry?

Did you know that a ferry is a large boat that transports cars from the mainland to the outer banks of North Carolina?  Ms. Ballard and I had to plan our trip carefully in order to catch the ferry on time so we didn't get left behind. 

Here's a picture of a ferry that we passed in the Pamlico Sound during our voyage.  Do you see the cars on board?  It felt very weird to drive a car onto a boat!  Once we were on board we were able to get out of the car and move around the ferry.  

It wasn't long before we spotted land.  Then we realized that our final destination, at the North Carolina Center for Advancement of Teachers, was just to the right of the ferry dock.  We were relieved to be so close!  We were finally here; I was really excited. 

NCCAT is now located in an old coast guard headquarters.  If you look closely you'll see the orange and black coast guard boat just behind me.  Ms. Ballard and I are ready for a week of exploring and learning about Ocracoke Island, and the opportunity to plan exciting things for you!

Check back often to see what adventures we get ourselves into this week!