Day 296 – trip to Bald Head Island, NC - April 27, 2012

Due to there being a bit more wind than we wanted to see, we decided not to take Boreas to Bald Head Island, but to take the ferry to the island instead.  So, along with Frank and Carrie, we borrowed a car from one of the staff at Southport Marina and headed to the ferry dock.  When we arrived at the island we rented a golf cart so we could tour the island.  There are no cars allowed on the island, so you can either walk, bike or use a golf cart.

We started our tour by cruising along the road that runs around the perimeter of the island and admiring all of the fabulous houses.  We made a stop at one of the beach parking areas and took the boardwalk over the dunes and onto the beach.  The beach is beautiful and there are very few people here, so we have the shoreline almost to ourselves.  After a quick walk on the beach we hopped back on the golf cart and found a place for lunch.

After lunch we headed to the southeast corner of the island where we could see Cape Fear and the Frying Pan Shoal.  Amazing!  That’s all there is to say.  Cape Fear is absolutely amazing.  The wind and the current and the shallows all working on the water make the most spectacular waves.  We thoroughly enjoyed walking on the beach and watching the water.

Finally we headed to “Old Baldy”, the island’s lighthouse which was built in 1817 and is the oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina.  The lighthouse has been restored and we were able to walk the 108 steps (plus nine ladder rungs) to the top of the lighthouse for a great view of the island.  We then returned the golf cart and grabbed the next ferry back to Southport.  What a wonderful day!

             Miles: 0           Bridges: 0        Locks: 0

the lighthouse on Oak Island as seen from the Bald Head Island ferry

a tug and barge going out the Cape Fear River Entrance

one of the roads through the middle of Bald Head Island

the beach near Cape Fear on Bald Head Island

a bit of information about Cape Fear and Frying Pan Shoals

Cape Fear and Frying Pan Shoals

the forces of wind, tide and shallows acting on the water

not a place I would want my boat!

a sandpiper

"Old Baldy" lighthouse - at the bottom  looking up

"Old Baldy" lighthouse - at the top looking down

a view of the marina on Bald Head Island from the top of "Old Baldy"

from the top of "Old Baldy" looking over the marshes on the north
side of the island

Julaine and Carrie survived their climb to the top of the lighthouse

"Old Baldy" lighthouse