Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The Winter Ocean

It's not unusual, but I have been more aware this winter of the changing nature of the ocean. Several days this month the surf has been so calm it seemed more like the sound -- small gentle waves lapping the beach, with hardly a sound.

Last week Amy, Lachlan, and I took an afternoon stroll around the Hammock Hills Nature Trail. As we started our walk we all noticed how loud the ocean was. Even walking down the path, on the other side of the dunes and in the woods, we could hear the roar of the Atlantic. It was as if a chained beast was howling to be set free. As irrational as it was, we even felt safer on ridges and hills! After our walk we wandered across the highway and over to the beach. Surprisingly, the waves were only moderate. But the atmosphere was thick and heavy. Maybe that (and the wind direction) contributed to the unusual roar.

Yesterday the surf was rough, but not very loud. A few surfers were out enjoying the rides. We just walked for a while, then settled down on a large log to soak up some sun.

In our latest Ocracoke Newsletter I share information about our many local cemeteries, with examples of some of our more interesting epitaphs. You can read it here.

To read about Philip's new book, Digging up Uncle Evans, History, Ghost Tales, & Stories from Ocracoke Island, please click here.

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:57 AM

    Do you have names for the numbers on the cemetery map? Also when was the laundromat on Ocracoke. I walked my dogs on the Hammock Hills trail Saturday and also noticed how loud the ocean was. Enjoy your blog!

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  2. There is a key to the cemetery numbers. I will scan it and publish it in the next day or so.

    The "laundrymat" as it was called, operated sometime in the mid-70s if I recall correctly.

    I'm glad you enjoy the blog.

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  3. Anonymous11:51 AM

    The laundry was located where Jason's Restaurant is today. Some wag posted a sign that read "Please don't use this facility if your won't be satisfied."

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  4. Anonymous7:38 AM

    When you say large log do you mean the one about 20 feet long and about three feet high? A really massive thing about two-thirds of the way to the dunes? We used it to tell ghost stories on one night a couple of years ago. The next day we came back and set up our chairs and picnic goodies around it.

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  5. George Wingard - South Carolina9:27 AM

    Thanks for the log answer! Just wanted to say hello. This is George. My family, friends and I did the ghost walk with you a couple of times and I sent you some books on some old towns in our area that was moved by the government. Won't make it up this year but knew that had to be the log you were talking about - read your blog everyday.

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