"The Andy Griffith Show" was a 1960's television show featured Andy, a sheriff in the small town of "Mayberry". The show revolved around Andy, his friends and family, and the great fun times that they all had together. While "Mayberry" is a totally fictional town, did you know that there is a place that reminds us of it? This place hastens back to a time when life was much simpler, people were kinder to each other, and everyone seemed to know your name. The place? Ocracoke, North Carolina...located in the Outer Banks. It's not only a great place for your family beach vacations, it's a place that will move you in ways you won't even realize. Read on to find out more...
North Carolina is a very modern state, so why is Ocracoke able to maintain this ode to "Days Gone By"? One reason could be that Ocracoke is a bit harder to get to. There is no direct road, no tunnel, no bridge... To get to Ocracoke you need to have either a private boat, or a private plane, or go via one of the public ferries that visit the island on a daily basis.
Shopping in Ocracoke is not at all like it's counterpart on the mainland. While shopping on the mainland can be rush, rush, rush...shopping on Ocracoke is like a leisurely stroll through the park. The shops are all rather small and quaint, and many focus on only one or two things. For example, there is one shop that focuses primarily on kites...one of the favorite pastimes on the island. They do have two main variety stores for your grocery needs, and a post office for those postcards back to the mainland.
One of the main tourist attractions at Ocracoke is it's historic lighthouse. Built by Noah Porter, a builder from Massachusetts, in 1832, it is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina (and the second oldest in the US). It is 75 feet tall, with a diameter ranging from 25 feet at the base to 12 feet at the top. You can see the light from the top of this lighthouse 14 miles out to sea. A US Park Ranger is on duty in the summer, and while they are there, you can enter the base of the lighthouse. No climbing of the lighthouse is ever permitted.
As we conclude our article we would like to mention what we think of Ocracoke. We love it! That about wraps it up in a nutshell. It has a feel about it that is hard to describe. It hastens back to a time when life was simpler, and problems were fewer. You will just have to go there and experience it for yourself. Make sure you come back in one piece...you might just leave your heart there... :)
North Carolina is a very modern state, so why is Ocracoke able to maintain this ode to "Days Gone By"? One reason could be that Ocracoke is a bit harder to get to. There is no direct road, no tunnel, no bridge... To get to Ocracoke you need to have either a private boat, or a private plane, or go via one of the public ferries that visit the island on a daily basis.
Shopping in Ocracoke is not at all like it's counterpart on the mainland. While shopping on the mainland can be rush, rush, rush...shopping on Ocracoke is like a leisurely stroll through the park. The shops are all rather small and quaint, and many focus on only one or two things. For example, there is one shop that focuses primarily on kites...one of the favorite pastimes on the island. They do have two main variety stores for your grocery needs, and a post office for those postcards back to the mainland.
One of the main tourist attractions at Ocracoke is it's historic lighthouse. Built by Noah Porter, a builder from Massachusetts, in 1832, it is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina (and the second oldest in the US). It is 75 feet tall, with a diameter ranging from 25 feet at the base to 12 feet at the top. You can see the light from the top of this lighthouse 14 miles out to sea. A US Park Ranger is on duty in the summer, and while they are there, you can enter the base of the lighthouse. No climbing of the lighthouse is ever permitted.
As we conclude our article we would like to mention what we think of Ocracoke. We love it! That about wraps it up in a nutshell. It has a feel about it that is hard to describe. It hastens back to a time when life was simpler, and problems were fewer. You will just have to go there and experience it for yourself. Make sure you come back in one piece...you might just leave your heart there... :)
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If you are interested in Creative Family Beach Vacations, you should definitely check out the article on Ocracoke at www.Creative-Family-Beach-Vacations.com
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