Thursday, July 30, 2015

Bare Feet

Summertime on Ocracoke always means bare feet. In the 1940s & early 1950s most of the island roads were unpaved, and numerous sandy footpaths meandered throughout the village. I hardly ever wore shoes. Of course, nearly everyone then and now goes barefooted on the beach. 














My grandson Lachlan continues in that tradition. Earlier this month we took him to summer camp in the mountains of North Carolina. We pulled up in the grassy parking lot, and Lachlan slithered out through the open rear window. Almost as soon as his bare feet hit the grass a councilor gently reminded him that their rules required campers to wear shoes.

Lachlan is back on the island now, after two weeks of rock climbing, canoeing, and outdoor activities in the mountains. And his shoes are back on the porch, waiting for him when he gets ready to leave the island again.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter tells the delightful story of the 19th century "Stovepipe Hat" wreck. It has been told for years in books & magazines, but it probably never happened. You can read the story (and my research) here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072115.htm.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:48 PM

    On shark tank a woman tried to interest the sharks in her company which sells flip flops which leave a message the sand . Have you ever seen footprint messages in the sand PH?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have not...and I would sooner enjoy the beach without such distractions.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous2:14 AM

    I can not walk well in shoes. Better in flip flops. I walk best barefoot.

    Hardly anywhere on Ocraoke will you see a sign saying "Shirt and shoes required."

    The only place I see anything remotely close to that is at the ferry offices where they say "Shirts required." Nothing about shoes, though.

    I remember when I was Lachlan's age, I'd get off the school bus on the last day of school, and my shoes were off for the summer! I hardly ever wore shoes until I had to go back to school in the fall.

    ReplyDelete