'Tis The Season ?

I often ponder at what point it becomes obvious that it truly 'tis the season. It would seem that it (the season) always slips up on me before I realize it and gets away from me just as fast.

When I used to live elsewhere it was easier to tell when it was 'tis the season, as the big guys like Wal Mart and the like would start playing Christmas music while they were clearing the leftover halloween candy off the shelves, followed by the brief appearance a few thanksgiving trinkets to distract you from the real mission of loading the shelves with Christmas items.

Now, it's a fact that a bragging right of Ocracoke Island is that there is no Wal Mart and the like, so just how is a person supposed to tell when it 'tis the season if they don't have all these signs?

Looking around Ocracoke, things are little more subtle as you might expect. My first indication was Miss Dee, one of the local wreath makers patrolling the island in search of greenery for this years wreaths. The local ladies will soon be busy making and distributing these beautiful decorations. You can read all about their mission here:
Island Free Press.

Tommy at the Variety Store announced that this years shipment of live Christmas trees will be arriving next Tuesday. Everyone all over the island is getting out word of upcoming festivities and events. There is a good list posted on the Ocracoke Blog, and a good review of post Nor' Ida conditions on the Island.

As time goes on, other indications that 'tis the season is approaching on Ocracoke will gently appear and will be upon us before we know it, leaving little time to take it in stride.

Ocracoke is nice this time of year. The nights get a little chilly, there's fewer mosquitoes and fewer people for them to feed on.

So why not come on over and stay at the Castle for a night or two? Enjoy some quiet time before you have to dive into "the season". Sit by the fireplace or shoot some pool. Take in one of the great community activities or programs the island has to offer. There's some of the best talent in North Carolina here.

We'll be closing in January for while so don't wait too long.

Recently I was up on the top of the Castle working on the webcam and happened to have my camera. The view was spectacular and I grabbed this panoramic shot. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Click here for a really large view.

Come enjoy the view in person.

Island Life

It is hot today and as usual the weather is great on Ocracoke. I say as usual because any day here is a good one no matter what else is going on.

I highly recommend you visit the DeepWater Theater and Music Hall. Molasses Creek is our home grown band and provides great family fun. I guarantee you will enjoy it.

All tickets sold at door. No reservations are accepted so get there early. Cash/MC/Visa. Door opens 30 minutes before shows.

The kids will also enjoy the Rumgagger Pirate Show, also at the DeepWater Theater.
From the website:

"Rumgagger ~(noun) An archaic nautical term referring to a teller of tall tales

Welcome to a fun-filled seaworthy show brimming with salty tales, even saltier characters, pirates, Blackbeard, and plenty of maritime hisotry and songs.

Join Captian Rob Temple (of the schooner WINDFALL), along with Fiddler Dave and Gary of Molasses Creek for a family show that you can really sink your hook into!"

This show is on Thursdays at 1:00 pm.

So while Ocracoke is a quiet, laid back island there is still lots to do when you are in the mood.

The Ocracoke Lighthouse

One of the most popular attractions on the island is the Ocracoke Lighthouse. I thought you might be intereseted in some facts and history about it.


In 1822 the federal government purchased two acres of land at the south end of the island. This was to be the site for the new lighthouse.

It cost $11,359.35 to build in 1823

It stands approx. 75 feet tall and is the shortest lighthouse on the NC coast. The walls are solid brick; five feet thick at the bootom and tapering to two feet at the top.

The beam can be seen for fourteen miles.

This is the second oldest operating lighthouse in the United States and the oldest in North Carolina.

The exterior’s solid white color served as its identifying mark to sailors and mariners by day. The original whitewash “recipe” called for a mixture of lime, salt, spanish whiting, rice, glue, and boiling water and this was applied to the lighthouse while the mixture was hot.

The lighthouse has been through many hurricanes. During the storm of 1944 water lapped against the doorstep and was seven inches deep in the keeper's quarters.

During the summer months there is a US Park Ranger on duty and visitors may enter the base of the lighthouse but climbing is not permitted.

Popcorn and a (short) Movie

If you have not had the pleasure of staying at The Castle on Silver Lake on Ocracoke Island, you need to remedy that. It is one of the most tranquil, beautiful places on earth.

Make sure you get up in time to sample one of Miss Gladys's home made breakfasts... that alone is worth the trip.

Visit the lighthouse, do some shopping--no chain stores or malls here--and then pick a place to have lunch and dinner. Our favorites? Jasons and Cafe Atlantic are great and The Back Porch is always good.



Once here on the island you will see why Dr. Beach named it his #1 choice for best beach in 2007.

Photo Contest Pictures

photo by Pat Bleich

Season is here ... really busy ...only have time to add some great photos sent in to the 2009 Photo Contest sponsored by Ocraocke Island Realty. Anyone can enter--no strings attached. Nothing to buy, nothing to sign up for. Read More.

photo by Judi Dudley

photo by Pat Bleich

Happy

I love this place. My husband gave me a card with a three night stay here anytime this year. I chose Fathers Day week and brought him along.

We have been very relaxed and are going to stay one more day. Miss Gladys has fixed us a wonderful breakfast every morning and we walk it off each day and do some sightseeing.

I have done some Christmas shopping and some birthday shopping too. Yesterday we went to the beach and worked on our tans for a few hours and then went to Cafe Atlantic for dinner. Fantastic.

The people at the Castle have been so kind to us and we are already planning on coming back this fall. When Jack asked me to write a short post for the blog I was happy to.

This island is a magical place.

Thank you

Happy Hannah

Spring is in full bloom...

Spring is in Full Bloom all over Ocracoke Island but it is especially beautiful here on the Castle Grounds. After a long, chilly winter, the various shades of green that comes with the season of spring are symbolic of life and optimistic hope. This annual event occurs in cooperation with Mother Nature and our gardener, Jose.

Mother Nature provides the surging life force energies that are visible through the sudden growth and flowering of trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs. It is Jose’s steady attention to the details of the planting that contributes to the lush landscape here at the Castle. You can find Jose pruning the trees; dividing the plants; trimming and mulching the garden beds; and of course always making sure they all get some water.

We also have a resident gardener, Jen, who has her eye on filling up the empty, overlooked spaces with greenery and color. She has been busy planting vegetables and herbs along the fence line; hollyhocks and gladiolas along the back fence and tucking new plants in among the old. Jen’s energy and aesthetic eye for color and texture have already graced the established flower beds. While the daffodils she planted in the fall have come and gone, we look forward to watching and sampling her new contributions to the Castle landscape.