Natural Wonders

As many readers of this journal know, Ocracoke has a sense of community not found everywhere. Of course, the modern world has had an impact on the island, but we do know our neighbors, care about them, and look after them when we need to. It's one of the main reasons we love this place so much.

The other reason is the outstanding natural environment. So much of the island is National Seashore, with pristine beaches, undeveloped sandy dunes, and abundant wildlife. Sometimes nature just jumps out at us....nature that manifests everywhere, but just seems particularly spectacular here on this tiny spit of sand twenty-five miles out in the Atlantic Ocean.

Some nights the starry sky is simply luxuriously opulent. Sunsets over Pamlico Sound can be spectacular. Two nights ago the full moon seemed to shine down on the village with extraordinary brilliance. Yesterday afternoon one of the brightest, richest, and largest rainbows appeared in the sky, stretching from the horizon on my left, across the village, all the way down to the horizon on my right.

It seemed for all the world like a gift. Who needs a pot of gold?

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of George & Jule, published October 29, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102905.htm.

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