SAND SURF AND SUNSHINE

We've enjoyed exploring the Outer Banks, North Carolina. There is much to see keeping us busy tracking down the ......

lighthouses ...........

taking the ferry ride across the inlet .....

or simply walking their deserted beaches.

Our days have been full but we've managed to slow down and stretch out on the sand ......

to watch the surfers.

We've enjoyed the sunsets, the food and the water.  The Outer Banks is a great fall escape destination and I think next time we will visit in November during the bird migration. 

Tomorrow we head for Williamsburg, Virginia for a week exploring the early settlers settlement. 

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check in next week.

NO TIME

With access to the internet only available from 9 to 5 at the visitor's center my blog entries are very limited. We like to be out and about by 9 and often don't get home until after 5. Today we are off to take the ferry to Ocracoke Is. and explore the shores until the sun goes down.

The pictures below were taken on the boardwalk at Duck yesterday.

Lights for the boardwalk are powered by the sun.

It was a lovely walk. Mary enjoyed the shops, I enjoyed the atmosphere.

All is good.

BIRTH OF FLIGHT

I'm sure you know that Kitty Hawk was where the Wright brothers made history by being the first to design, build and fly a powered airplane capable of carry a human. Nearby is the national monument to their achievement and a place we had to visit.

Inside was an authentic replica of their first plane and also their first powered airplane. Remember, all of this was achieved at their own expense and many challenges had to be overcome before manned flight was possible.

Outside we saw their camp with the hanger beside their living quarters. They lived in Dayton, Ohio so when they came down to the Outer Banks they needed a place to stay. Back in 1903 this was a very desolate place.

Their living accommodations was very spartan. Note the beds above the ladder. Behind the ladder was their work area for repairing their planes or modifying something that didn't work as expected.

This is the actual launch spot where on December 17, 1903 the first successful flight was made. The rail beside the stone was the launching rail as the sandy dunes were too soft to support wheels on the plane.

Today we are off to walk the boardwalk in Duck and explore more of the Outer Banks.

Thanks for stopping by.

KITTY HAWK RCI

We are now in Kitty Hawk, NC staying at Barrier Island Station RCI out on the Outer Banks.

Unfortunately we need to walk over to the visitors' center whenever we want to use the internet. This isn't totally bad since it will force us to get a little more exercise and you know I need exercise.

Today we will check out the island and hopefully post later. 

Having a great time. Weather is warm 16*C and the sun is shining.

Safe travels and Happy Birthday! Tony. This is number ???

GETTYSBURG

This morning we find ourselves in Richmond after spending yesterday in Gettysburg. Mary needed to look for some vintage clothing so I took the auto tour of the battlefields that surround Gettysburg.

It's impossible for me to imagine young boys dashing across these fields knowing that most would be either wounded, killed or captured in battle; but that's exactly what happened across this field 150 years ago.

The road was just a dirt road back then but the hill was real and had to be climbed before ..........

facing these canons set back in the woods.

Even today you can see evidence of the battle such as the hole made by a cannon ball just under the diamond pattern on the side of this barn. The battle at Gettysburg lasted three days and nearly 50,000 men were wounded, killed or captured by the time the two armies disengaged.

President |Lincoln prepared his famous "Gettysburg Address" here in this house the night before he spoke at the dedication of the Gettysburg cemetery.

Today we head to Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

NIAGARA FALLS PART TWO

Yesterday's blog was too long to take us all the way to Niagara Falls.

It was an overcast, cool day and most of these pictures were taken as we drove past the falls and along the Niagara Parkway.

That plume of white cloud you see in the middle of the picture above is the mist coming off Niagara Falls as we saw it from the Niagara Parkway.

Everyone likes to get close to the falls. This couple is just a few feet upstream from the falls watching the water disappear over the lip.

This old barge has been stuck just above the falls since the 1920s. That must have been some rescue mission to get the sailors off, not knowing if it might come loose and disappear over the falls.

This is the American Falls as seen from the Canadian side as we drove by. We didn't have time to walk around and the weather was cold and wet.

Heading home along the Niagara Parkway near Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Our final look at the Niagara River as it flows out into Lake Ontario.

Today we will spend some time in Gettysburg then head east to the Outer Banks, NC.

Pictures at the top were from our drive through the Allegheny Mountains yesterday.

NIAGARA FALLS

Yesterday dawned cool and rainy and I thought it would be an indoor day. After lunch the sun came out and Don kindly took us over to Port Colbourne to see the locks.

Warm jackets were needed for our stroll along the canal.

There was an ore freighter in dock taking on supplies before passing through the Welland Canal.

Strolling along West Street.

Before we left so did the freighter.

The freighter passing under this vertical lift bridge.

Today we cross into the USA on our way to North Carolina. We've had a fabulous time with Carol and Don and hate to leave but we must be in Kitty Hawk by Saturday so the road is calling.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

NIAGARA-on-the-LAKE

Don took us for a drive yesterday afternoon and the first stop was ..............

Niagara-on-the-Lake.

This historic village was a haven for Loyalists who came across the Niagara River to escape the American Revolution (1775- 1789). The village became the first capital of Upper Canada in 1792.

The downtown core has been designated an historic site for its collection of Regency and Classical Revival buildings from the post war of 1812 period.

The Prince of Wales Hotel built in 1864 is just one of many fine examples.

Our final stop was .......................

.......  the Silversmith brewery located in Virgil. Leanne, your aunt Carol says there is an excellent deli right across the road next time you are looking for a good lunch spot.

Thanks for stopping by.

WATERFRONT WALK

We are now in St. Catharines and this morning we took a walk along the waterfront near the Welland Canal. 

We will be here until Thursday when we head for North Carolina.

There is an excellent walking path along the shore of Lake Ontario near Carol and Don's place.

There is still some colour left in the trees which we enjoyed.

The city of St. Catharines planted trees in commemoration of those Canadians killed when the twin towers were attacked.

Each tree has a small plaque briefly identifying the victim.

Later we might head over to Niagara-on-the Lake another popular tourist attraction in the area.

WEDDING BELLS

Yesterday we attended Kate and Sarah's wedding. It was a joyous occasion with everyone celebrating their union before family and friends. 


It was good to see family we hadn't seen for months and in some cases several years.

Sherri, Sean and Leanne joined us. 

You can tell Neal and Blaze were enjoying themselves.

This is the Dutch side of the family; Connie, Jim, Mary, Margaret and Paul.

Kate and Sarah with family.

The food was delicious, the speeches excellent .....

 and Shawn did an fabulous job at MC.

Thanks for inviting us to the celebrations.