We have travelled just a few miles today, past Southport and partway out the Cape Fear inlet to Bald Head Island. This island borders the southeasterly flank of the Cape Fear River's outlet to the Atlantic Ocean. It has also been known in the past as Smith Island and Cape Fear Island. It is a unique ecological area, one of the most tropical spots in North Carolina. Warm weather plants sucha s Spanish bayonets, palmettos, and palm trees grow here. Tradition says that frost has never touched the island. There was a great deal of controversy in the 1960s when a group of developers wanted to build on the island, while a group of environmentatlists wanted to maintain the island's natural state. The problem has been solved by building homes, townhouses and cottages on the southwestern beaches and in the interior forests while many other parts of the island have been preserved in their natural state. No cars are allowed on the island, tranportation is by golf cart or bike, or walking (we did see one police car). The only way to get on the island is by ferry or private boat.
The island has some wonderful beaches, and great hiking trails. It also has a lighthouse, built in 1817 and decomissioned several years ago but maintained by a group on the island. The lighthouse is knows as "Old Baldy".
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| Looking out over the island from Old Baldy |
After lunch we rented bicycles and rode around the seven miles around the island. It is an interesting mix of beaches along the east, south and west sides, sand dunes just inland from the beaches, then forest in the interior, with some marshy areas. We also visited the lighthouse, which is actually quite near the marina, climbed the lighthouse to the top - good view from the top. There was a tiny alligator, about 30" long, in the water by the docks here at the marina. He was just floating on the top of the water havving a good look around, then was startled by something and swam away under the water before I could get a picture.
Went to dinner at Ebb and Flo's steam restaurant here at the marina. The noseeums arrived as we were eating, so chased us indoors after dinner. Finished dinner with key lime pie on Crawdad. Gloria has given me the recipe, so will have to try making it.
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| One of the more unusual houses on the island |
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"Old Baldy"
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| Wayne and Jim having a discussion on the beach |
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A couple of the homes overlooking the beach, with sand dunes around the houses
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