I have been traveling to Cape Hatteras since before I could walk and have watched it change so much over the years. This fragile environment has seemed to hang on over the years as storms have shaped and reshaped the coastline. Houses and structures hanging on by a thread in some spots. The wildlife flourishes and the beaches are clean and empty as the locals prepare for the oncoming influx of winter weary tourists. The sound of saws, hammers, and excavators are in the air as decks are being rebuilt, dunes getting pushed around, and vacation houses get freshened up for the summer ahead. The beach was empty, but the air was warm. The Cormorants were moving around in flocks of thousands. Dolphins were jumping around and Brown Pelicans dove into the water gathering fish in the surf.
When I arrived to my hotel, the contractor working on my hotel informed me the exterior lights were currently inoperable due to siding work. To this I told him that was perfect because I enjoy the dark sky and seeing the thousands of stars at night. After all, this is one of the darkest spots on the east coast. I was so happy when the clouds finally parted Sunday morning around 4AM and the Milky Way Galaxy core rose from the ocean like an old friend that I hadn't seen in a while.
I hope this place never changes, but we all know the inevitable. I will keep going back as long as the highway is there and the hardy locals keep this special place alive. It was a nice weekend away.
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