Visitors to the beach these last few months know that the access to the Life Guard Beach has involved navigating through a lot of sand. Basically the boardwalk filled to the railings (!) with sand for about the last ten feet before reaching the observation deck. And only the top 4 or 5 stairs down to the beach itself have been visible, much less usable.
That is until this week. The Park Service brought in some heavy machinery and has removed all the sand from the boardwalk and dug out the top half of the buried stairs.
Next came the matter of redistributing all that sand along the dunes far enough away from the boardwalk and observation deck so that it won't simply drift back.
All of this is a stark reminder that the outer banks are a fragile and moving ribbon of sand. Life out here is an adventure. A storm like last Fall's Ida, which hit us as a strong nor'easter, moved a lot of sand, and sand is basically what Ocracoke is made of.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about "Ocracats" and was written by Pat Garber. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news031710.htm.
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Philip Howard announced today that the sand removed from the life guard beach observation deck would be relocated to the corner lot where a house was recently demolished. "We are attempting to elevate the lot so that the new Wings store will be the highest point on the island." Artists renderings of the lot show that Howard plans to build a 22 story Wings store. "This will be the tallest retail Wings store in the nation! We hope to replace the lighthouse as the most photographed item on the island." All of this comes just hours after reports were leaked that the island will soon become a mega tourist destination with thousands of new apartments, condominums and tourist destinations. "I never dreamed tearing down a double wide would generate so much business."
ReplyDeleteOK OK, Mr. Howard...I´m done. No more stupid stories from me. It has been fun though! THANKS for your patience!
Off of the topic, I hear that Bob Zentz is on the island this week recording a new album with Gary. Is there truth to this rumor or is he just a ploy to pull away from the Howardretailandponyclub.com?
ReplyDeleteYes, Bob will be on the island this week. In fact, he will be staying in my house (the house next door to the site of the new Wings store!) Oh no! I shouldn't have said that. Someone who has not read the banter of the last few days will undoubtedly read what I just wrote and start a frenzy of panicky speculation.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely loving the stories regarding the fate of your empty lot. i only wish i had come up with them myself! good luck with what ever you decide to do with it.
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